It’s official. If you really, really want to get an American’s attention mess with her television viewing. Just try talking to my mother in the months when her Imus fix was in flux as opposed to now, since her cable provider picked up FOX Business Network, which is owned by News Corp. (NWSA). 

Since I live in New Jersey, but very close to New York, I watched with detached interest when commercial after commercial last week warned Time Warner (TWX) customers they would be losing Fox 5 in 2010 due to contract negotiations going badly. No use getting worked up when it wouldn’t affect me – my provider is Cablevision (CVC).

Then, lo and behold, I attempted to tune in to one of my favorite channels, HGTV, on New Year’s Day and nothing. Same with The Food Network, one of my other regular haunts. It seems Scripps Networks (SNI) is in a deadlock with Cablevision over the terms of a potential new contract and I am one of over three million viewers affected by corporate stubbornness.

Here’s the thing. My world is not going to end over this. I’m still breathing. Life goes on. But … sometimes you just want to count on the simple things, seamless service being among those things.

Here are the conflicting official lines from the companies:

“Cablevision’s contract to carry HGTV and Food Network expired on December 31, 2009,” reads the statement on the Cablevision Web site. “Unfortunately, Scripps chose to remove the channels from Cablevision’s system after we did not accept their demands.”

“As a result of Cablevision’s decision not to negotiate new distribution agreements, Food Network and HGTV were dropped from the cable operator’s channel lineup,” reads the statement on the Scripps Network Web site.

Geez, who broke up with whom? Nothing like contrived victimhood to turn me off. The way I figure it, I can spend time wondering who’s right and who’s wrong or I can look at the reality of the situation. Some random observations:

~ The channels will probably come back, as Cablevision is getting pounded.

~ Most of the reactions I’ve read seem to be blaming Cablevision. I am not as quick to point the finger there, as I have nothing but glowing things to say about Cablevision’s service through and through. And Scripps could have taken a less dramatic approach and stayed on the air through the negotiating process.

As one viewer named Theresa put it on ilovefoodnetwork.com, “Are you kidding me??? Because of the popularity of Food Network’s programming, there are millions of dollars being made through the sale of cookbooks, Food Network’s line of cookware and serveware, gadgets, and many other products that carry the Food Network brand. But your fee from Cablevision is not enough to keep the programming on the air for millions of loyal viewers?? You need more?? Get over yourselves and do the right thing. The viewers put you on the map. The viewers support your sponsors. The viewers buy your products. Why must the viewers get skewered over your squabble with Cablevision? This was an outrageous thing to do to the viewers, and in such a cowardly way. Now you want us to appeal to Cablevision to give you want so we can keep Food Network on the air? How about working out your financial disputes without using the viewing public as pawns?”

~ The on-air talent of both networks must be thrilled to have zero exposure in what is arguably the most significant market in the country.

~ Upon some honest personal reflection, I realize I liked both The Food Network and HGTV better five years ago and don’t watch them as much now. How much will I really miss them over time? Food competition shows don’t hold my interest and TFN is overrun with them now, going so far as to showcase the worst cooks in America. I’ll pass. I would admittedly miss The Barefoot Contessa and The Best Thing I Ever Ate, but hey, I also miss The West Wing and Ally McBeal and I survived. As for HGTV, enough already with House Hunters. I will, however, mourn Color Splash and Design on a Dime should both parties in this dispute remain obstinate.

What am I really saying? I’m a life coach. I would tell a client to examine what this tells her about herself, so I must apply the same to myself.

So here it is -- I rely on TV a bit too much. This was perhaps never more obvious than on my plane trip back from Paris a few years ago when I watched wall-to-wall television all the way from Charles de Gaulle to JFK after being TV-less for 10 days. And while I loved spending the better part of two weeks in Italy with doting Italian families last year, when I got to my hotel in Rome prior to returning home, I almost wept with joy at the sight of the BBC in my room.

Sad but true.

I’m not denying I’ll watch both channels when and if they return to my television, but not with the same frequency. This has prompted a resolution: Think before you turn on the TV and consider that you have an entire wall filled with gorgeous books.

 

Nancy Colasurdo is a practicing life coach and freelance writer. Her Web site is www.nancola.com. Please direct all questions/comments to FOXGamePlan@gmail.com.