LewisD
join:2008-03-11
3 edits | reply to machpost
Re: [CATV] [DC] Channels disappearing from the lineup
For a content provider to decide not to carry programming that would cost them money is one thing, but the Mhz channels are not like ESPN, which would cost RCN $1-3 per subscriber.
RCN can restore this channel as easily as they took it away. |
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machpost
join:2002-01-11
Washington, DC
| reply to tenfortynine
said by tenfortynine :
in rcn's defense it sounds like a corporate decision. they have a right to not carry certain program if they want to. write letters to corporate requesting the channel and see if that helps.
True, undoubtedly they can refuse to carry whatever they wish, but it's been my experience that letter writing (or complaining about it on here, for that matter) will accomplish very little. Considering the perception that Al Jazeera's programming might be controversial, a bit of media exposure just might carry a little more weight. |
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tenfortynine
@rcn.com
| reply to machpost
said by machpost  :Yep, it looks like RCN is just about the only local cable provider who isn't carrying Al Jazeera English:  in rcn's defense it sounds like a corporate decision. they have a right to not carry certain program if they want to. write letters to corporate requesting the channel and see if that helps. |
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machpost
join:2002-01-11
Washington, DC
1 edit | reply to LewisD
Re: [CATV] [DC] Channels disappearing from the lineup
said by LewisD :said by JamiLeeD :I wrote RCN a message about this, and this is their response (names and greeting info. removed to protect customer service): I do apologize for the trouble that you have had with your cable services. As of July 1, 2009 Megahertz Network has taken BVN, Channel 34, off of the air. In order to contact the proper people about this the following information is:
* Phone - 703-770-7100
* Web - www.mhznetworks.org LOL! I just LOVE RCN's great customer service... Perhaps it's time to contact the Washington Post and some other outlets...I'm not an Arab American, but if I was, I would be a bit offended. Even I can see that the head honchos over at RCN are afraid to carry Aljazeera. If RCN is really refusing to carry this channel for political or idealogical reasons, then I am VERY offended.
And if they find out that MHz1 carries an Al Jazeera newscast nightly, they'll probably try to yank that channel, as well  |
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jcjost
join:2004-08-21
Bethesda, MD | reply to LewisD
I agree. There is no valid reason for RCN not to carry this channel.
John |
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LewisD
join:2008-03-11
2 edits | reply to JamiLeeD
said by JamiLeeD :I wrote RCN a message about this, and this is their response (names and greeting info. removed to protect customer service): I do apologize for the trouble that you have had with your cable services. As of July 1, 2009 Megahertz Network has taken BVN, Channel 34, off of the air. In order to contact the proper people about this the following information is:
* Phone - 703-770-7100
* Web - www.mhznetworks.org LOL! I just LOVE RCN's great customer service... Perhaps it's time to contact the Washington Post and some other outlets...I'm not an Arab American, but if I was, I would be a bit offended. Even I can see that the head honchos over at RCN are afraid to carry Aljazeera. I think it's despicable that RCN won't give us a straight answer. Every other cable/fiber provider in the DC metro is carrying Aljazeera English... I think it's time for RCN to grow some, and start carrying this channel. |
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JamiLeeD
join:2004-01-03
Silver Spring, MD
| reply to machpost
I wrote RCN a message about this, and this is their response (names and greeting info. removed to protect customer service):
I do apologize for the trouble that you have had with your cable services. As of July 1, 2009 Megahertz Network has taken BVN, Channel 34, off of the air. In order to contact the proper people about this the following information is:
* Phone - 703-770-7100
* Web - www.mhznetworks.org |
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machpost
join:2002-01-11
Washington, DC | reply to machpost
Yep, it looks like RCN is just about the only local cable provider who isn't carrying Al Jazeera English:
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JamiLeeD
join:2004-01-03
Silver Spring, MD
| reply to machpost
This is extremely disappointing.
And even worst, RCN has said nothing about it, whatsoever, and they said nothing about it when the first announcements and press releases came out about the channel airing in the DC metro area. |
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micl
Visit Lovely Downtown Port Starboard
Premium
join:2001-10-25
Silver Spring, MD | reply to machpost
So now I can't watch the Dutch programming nor alJezeera which every other cable company in the Dc region carries. Jeeez-eera!
--
If I don't see you in the future, I'll see you in the pasture |
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LewisD
join:2008-03-11 | reply to machpost
So then my suspicions are correct... |
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machpost
join:2002-01-11
Washington, DC
| reply to LewisD
A bit of clarification, directly from MHz Networks in response to an e-mail I sent:
quote:
For clarification, RCN has elected to not carry MHz Networks 5 (channel 34) as of July 1. As a local educational broadcaster, all of our multicast channels are provided to RCN, just as they are to all the other service providers in the metro region.
MHz has not had any role, technical or otherwise, in the channel not being available to RCN subscribers.
So it sounds as if RCN has deliberately decided not to offer Al Jazeera English to its subscribers |
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LewisD
join:2008-03-11
| reply to machpost
I have to question RCN's motives... did they deliberately decide not to carry Aljazeera English due to the channels reputation among some? If so, that's unfortunate. From what I understand, Aljazeera English is more like BBC World and France 24, than it's Arabic parent channel.
Did RCN decide not to carry this channel in fear of a negative backlash from some customers? |
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machpost
join:2002-01-11
Washington, DC
1 edit | reply to JamiLeeD
said by JamiLeeD :My father and I were also looking forward to being able to see alJazeera English. I'd like to be able to tell him something. Color me disappointed about this. RCN still lists it in their listings, so they may want to update it. I was looking forward to it as well. I find it a bit suspect that this channel would disappear on the day its programming changes. I assume RCN isn't receiving WNVC/WNVT over the air, otherwise the channel would have never gone away.
EDIT: The press release issued July 1 even mentions Al Jazeera English on RCN:
quote:
The 24/7 AJE channel will be available in the D.C. market via MHz Networks 5 on broadcast (over the air) channel 30.5. Via cable, viewers may tune into Comcast channel 275, Cox channel 474, RCN channel 34 and Verizon FiOS channel 457. AJE replaces BVN programming on MHz Networks 5.
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JamiLeeD
join:2004-01-03
Silver Spring, MD
1 edit | reply to machpost
My father and I were also looking forward to being able to see alJazeera English. I'd like to be able to tell him something. Color me disappointed about this.
RCN still lists it in their listings, so they may want to update it. |
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