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Home > Blogs > Seen and Overheard > Archives > 2009 > August > 03 > Entry
Time Warner to drop seven PBS channels locally, realign digital TV
Local cable customers will have to retrain their remote control fingers in a matter of weeks.
Time Warner Cable will drop seven of the 16 public television channels it offers locally on Aug. 25 and unveil a major realignment of it digital cable line, said Michael Pedelty, a vice president of communications.
Local public television stations are concerned about the changes.
David Fogarty, President of Public Media Connect, said he has been in meetings with Time Warner concern the impact on ThinkTV16/WPTD, ThinkTV14/WPTO and CET.
 “There will be significant impact on our stations,” he said declining further comment.
While most of the public television changes will affect digital customers - about half of Time Warner’s customer base -, basic cable and those who watch high definition channel will also experience cuts.
WOSU, which is airs in Troy, Piqua, St. Paris, Tipp City, West Milton, Covington, Sidney, Anna, Rosewood, Urbana, will be cut from the basic cable line up and WCET from the high definition line up.
The company will add The Big Ten Network HD, Starz HD and Cinemax HD will be added.
WCET Create, WPTO Digital, WPTO Prime, WPTO Learn and WPTO World will be dropped from the company’s digital cable while Daystar, Word, Inspiration Network, TBN and Sundance will be added.
When all is said and done, nine public television stations, three on basic cable, two for HD users and four for digital cable subscribers will remain.
The three basic public channels will be WPTO, WCET and WPTD. Basic cable cost about $59.
Pedelty said the stations will be removed to reduce programming duplications and to streamline service.
A simular reduction was announced in the Cincinnati market last week.
“We still have an abundance of PBS options,” he said.
In the Miami Valley, Pedelty said the realignment means, some digital cable channels will change location.
Channels will be lumped together based on themes such as “Kids and Family,” “Learning and Discovery,” “Shopping,” “Movies” and “News and Weather.”
“We are trying to make it easy on customers,” Pedelty said. “It is definitely in the customer’s benefit in the long term.”
for instance, QVC, HSN and Shop NBC are grouped together under the catogory “Shopping.” Their channel designations are in sequence, channel 175, 176 and 177.
Pedelty said that several stations will be added to special packages, including Telmundo to the Spanish language packet, Nuestra Tele.
Customers in Warren County, which is in the Cincinnati cable market, will lose Dayton based CW affiliate WBDT and be shift to received Cincinnati’s WKRC.
What do you think?
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Comments
By Joe
August 3, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this
Why do people waste their time with Time Warner Cable.
By Rich
August 3, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this
The FCC has “must carry” rules that OUGHT to come into play here for the PBS stations. I would hope that someone at the Dayton Daily News who actually does “investigative reporting” will press both the people at ThinkTV and at Time Warner for comments. ThinkTV should consider invoking these “must carry” rules, which are specifically designed to keep local full-power stations on all local cable TV systems. Earlier this year, WDTN and LIN TV invoked the other portion of “must carry”, by demanding payment for carriage of their signal. PBS stations ought to hang tough on this, and demand carriage of their signals (without payment), as is their right.
By Habit
August 3, 2009 6:02 PM | Link to this
The Time Warner HD channels are a mess, they’re all over the place. Any changes using logical numbering should help the situation.
By Uverse
August 3, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this
Funny to me that they’re adopting the same numbering scheme that at&t uses for uverse..
By Jason
August 3, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this
I don’t know how far they can take those “must carry” rules… I seem to recall that a lot of those rules were loosened in recent years. Plus they are still carrying WPTD. I don’t think there are rules stating that they have to carry all the sub-channels. There are a ton of PBS stations on my line-up here in Troy. The digital tier is a mess, they need to put the porn channels at a very high station number and not around other stations that kids can happen upon. It shows some really un-appropriate titles like “Busty MILF’s” Who wants their kids to see that? Not me
By blueandgoldblues
August 3, 2009 6:21 PM | Link to this
Delete the public TV channels but keep the porn channels on? How stupid can Time Warner get???
By KLs
August 3, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this
What do I think? I think it’s time to dumb TW Cable. The only thing worth watching on the basic tier is PBS. Once that’s gone all that is left is paid commercials. Pay to watch commercials? Not me. Good bye Time-Warner. You just lost another customer.
By Uncle Bob
August 3, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this
Why do movies and news get lumped together?
By ricardo
August 3, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this
Time Warner better get a clue - more than 75% of the time PBS has the best programming available - not just the regular “boob tube” trash. If they need to drop anything, get rid of the mindless shopping channels & entertainment in-your-face channels. Those are for idiots.
By Maggie
August 3, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this
I love PBS - ALL the PBS channels, and, as a Time Warner subscriber, I am NOT happy about this news. I say we need to be loud and vocal in our opposition. We keep paying TW more, but getting less and less. Maybe it’s time to just watch tv on the internet and be done with Time Warner.
By kncjr
August 3, 2009 6:42 PM | Link to this
I don’t really mind losing some PBS channels. There are quite a few but I don’t care for the channels they are replacing them with. We need ala carte pricing so you can choose what you like.
By Gary
August 3, 2009 6:57 PM | Link to this
Time Warner is clueless when it comes to good customer service and public relations.
By Anon
August 3, 2009 6:57 PM | Link to this
Amelia, let me just enlighten you on your verbiage. TWC is not dropping STATIONS per-se, they are dropping some of the the broadcast signals (i.e. channels) of the stations. ThinkTV is one station (responsible for WPTO/WTPD signals) and CET is another station.
By Beavercreek mom
August 3, 2009 7:14 PM | Link to this
Wow! Anon, you are so smart. Maybe you should get your own station. LOL
By earl
August 3, 2009 7:22 PM | Link to this
Too much programming duplication with all those PBS channels. I don’t mind this a bit. However, if AT&T would get a decent internet offering together (not DSL) I would switch to them faster than you could say Time Warner sucks.
By bill
August 3, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this
I absolutely hate Time Warner Cable. I hate them as much as I can and the only thing that keeps me from switching to dish is I’m lazy. Time Warner and it’s employees are pathetic pieces of you know what and if I ever get off my a*s I will switch. I hope time warner goes out of business. They suck
By Joker
August 3, 2009 7:30 PM | Link to this
Have never had cable and dont plan on getting it. TWC is a joke. Cable goes out, so does RR. I will stick with my DSL. Just as fast as RR and costs less.
By madashell
August 3, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this
“We are trying to make it easy on customers,” Pedelty said. “It is definitely in the customer’s benefit in the long term.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? COME ON DISH DIRECT TV, OR NOT TV YOU SUCK TM!!!
By madashell
August 3, 2009 7:59 PM | Link to this
“We are trying to make it easy on customers,” Pedelty said. “It is definitely in the customer’s benefit in the long term.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME>????? YOU STINK TM, NO WONDER YOUR FOLKS ARE TOLD TO NOT GO TO COLLEGE
By notimewarner
August 3, 2009 8:02 PM | Link to this
I called TM and asked them to lower my bill due to the PBS changes, they laughed and said I get more sports. I pay $108 a month, no wonder Direct TV people were out here last week…GOODBYE TO BAD RUBISH!!!!!
By IdeaMan
August 3, 2009 8:02 PM | Link to this
I’ve long thought that a nice boycott of TWC would be a helpful gesture. Who’s with me for a “Cancel Your Cable” day? I used to work for them so, I assure you, a significant number of customers calling to cancel all on the same day would strike fear deep in their tiny little hearts.
By Truth Hurts
August 3, 2009 8:06 PM | Link to this
Than I’ll be expecting a cut in my bill too.
By My2cents...
August 3, 2009 8:23 PM | Link to this
I don’t have canle or dish..I have the good ole converter box. I get numerous PBS stations and there is ALWAYS something to watch that is entertaining, helpful and cartoons my children can actually learn something while watching them… If I ever was to get anything I would NEVER get TWC. I would pay for dishnetwork or directtv. TWC is nothing but overpriced junk!!!
By Irony
August 3, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this
With the digital converter box I bought from the store, I get 5 distinct ThinkTV channels (plus almost 15 other stations) with no monthly bill. Were I ever to go back to TW, I’d only get 1 local PBS & have to pay for it. Why would I switch back?
By Ogg
August 3, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this
Lets be ballsy and cancel our cable. If we do it there will be changes.
By wondering
August 3, 2009 8:52 PM | Link to this
So, doesn’t this mean that TWC just broke it’s contract with those of us stuck in these awful contracts with them???
By CJ
August 3, 2009 9:01 PM | Link to this
My kids and I love watching Busty MILF’s
By disheartened
August 3, 2009 9:14 PM | Link to this
I have zero interest in sports channels, but will be stuck with them. PBS is quality TV. However, channels are chosen for the common denominator, who usually want less quality. Conclusion: The only way out of the Time Warner nightmare is to finally stop being lazy and find services elsewhere.
By Bob
August 3, 2009 9:15 PM | Link to this
Time Warner is staffed by the biggest bunch of idiots God ever put on his green earth. Their arrogance is simple unbelievable.
By B
August 3, 2009 9:20 PM | Link to this
CJ, we made Friday “Busty MILF’S & Beer Night!” B.MILF’s #24 is the bomb! p.s. I like TWC, I quess Ignorance is Bliss, if not don’t tell me any different.
By heymom
August 3, 2009 9:35 PM | Link to this
My grandson watches PBS Kids- this channel has helped him to read (WordGirl), learn how to relate to other kids(Sid the Science Kid) and just TV without violence. GET A GRIP TW!!!
By Gary
August 3, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this
“Warren County is in the Cincinnati market”. This is your federal government at work. All of Warren county is considered to be in the Cinti Metro area by the Feds. And many services, such as cable, magazines, etc. use the fed definitions. But the northern end of Warren is not Cinti, it is Dayton. I pulled my hair out when I lived in Springboro trying to get Dayton oriented services instead of Cinti. Now TW has once again shown their ignorance of their customers by lumping Springboro in with Cinti.
By anon
August 3, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this
Gary, TV markets are not set by the government. They’re set by the Nielsen company.
By bill
August 3, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this
TWF if you are reading this, be very concerned. Your customer service sucks, your channel lineup sucks, your pricing more than sucks. You are pushing us away to the other companies and you will only have yourselves to blame. You keep downgrading services and tell us it’s an upgrade. We’re lazy, but we’re not stupid. You idiots better catch a clue and wise up. I’ve hated you since it was continental Cable and hate you worse now.
By Get FTA
August 3, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this
why pay for anything,from anybody.just get an fta box and a 30 inch dish and watch what you like. Paying for tv has ALWAYS been foolish and stupid!
By don't need cable
August 3, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this
Oh look, I still get 12 (yes, twelve) PBS channels on both tvs for free with just the antenna on the roof. And with LCD’s there’s no converter to buy either. And when I want to watch movies, I can rent them for a dollar a night. I’m gonna guess most of you don’t watch 100 movies a month. So what are you paying to watch tv for? I have no use for anything time warner has to offer.
By me
August 3, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this
I have to side with TW on this, besides I cant have satelite TV because i live on a heavily shaded street, cant get signal. But why the uproar? Why did we need 10 PBS stations anyway. The comments from the 20 people so far are prolly the only ones who watch it anyway. Now I get to watch the Buckeyes in Hi Def!!
By Katmandu
August 3, 2009 10:16 PM | Link to this
TWC best get the NFL NETWORK ASAP or they will be losing ME (and many other NFL fans) to DirectTV !!!!! Wake up TWC !!!
By me
August 3, 2009 10:45 PM | Link to this
Yes give us the NFL NETWORK NOW!!! By the way more people watch sports programming than religeous programming. GIVE US WHAT WE WANT!!
By FreedomWriter
August 3, 2009 11:07 PM | Link to this
Well TWC youve done it again. Virtually put your foot right up the ole bunghole. What the hell are you guys thinking. Cutting off peoples PBS channels, is like saying hey PBS we dont give a rats a$$ about you or your Programing. You still are not so big that you cant be takin down. It may take awhile but its going to happen, so listen up you bunch of idiots. You are hereby put on notice! And your RR stinks. What a sad sad time we live in. Makes you wanna say: F ck off TW.. The end!!! And on a side note. I was the only one quoted in the DDN article yesterday about the Poll conducted last weekend about the area with the most speed traps. Was in yesterdays paper. Yep the only one quoted. I guess sometimes you can actually be heard by DDN.Probably arare thingthough. Im not getting to hyped up about it but will be willing to sell autographs to all those willing… LOL i wish!
By Jules
August 3, 2009 11:09 PM | Link to this
I wish I had another option for cable in this area without having to switch to a dish. TWC is absolutely horrible and now they refuse to offer “Public” channels. They’ve already attempted to take away WDTN and now this. As soon as something else moves into this area I’m switching.
By Jeff
August 3, 2009 11:13 PM | Link to this
Does anyone actually have Time warner anymore? Two words for all of you. DIREC TV!!!
By nick
August 3, 2009 11:13 PM | Link to this
I swear we already had big 10 in HD, but there are like 10 sub channel PBS in the HD tier. I will not be missing most of those. And finally getting Max in HD… dad thing is they are part of the same uber company as TW cable, but it took about a year after Max went all HD on most carriers for their parent company to offer it.
By stephen
August 4, 2009 12:47 AM | Link to this
Great more christian brain washing networks. I cant stand that i pay for that. PBS = free thought. TBN = fairy tales about a zombie named jesus!!!
By TIMMYG
August 4, 2009 12:55 AM | Link to this
TIME WARNER IS TOAST,LAST SEPT. WITH THE WINDSTORM ALL THIER CUSTOMERS LOST TELEPHONE SERVICE, ROADRUNNER AND CABLE FOR A WEEK OR MORE. GEE WHIZ, AT@T TELEPHONE SEVICE NEVER BLINKED A EYE,NOW WITH AT@T UVERSE YOU GET TELEPHONE ,DSL AND CABLE WITH THE BEST PICTURE AROUND FOR LESS MONEY, MORE STATIONS AND IF YOU HAVE APROBLEM,THEY FIX IT THAT DAY OR THE NEXT,NOT LIKE TIMEWARNER WHO TAKE UP TO A WEEK AND SELDOM FIX IT THE FIRST VISIT. FACE IT ,THIER SERVICE IS SLOW COST IS HIGH, AND RELIABILITY SUCKS IAM SO PLEASED I. KICKED THIS ONLY GUY IN TOWN TO THE CURB…. WAKE UP AMERICA, ITS GOT TO BE ATT UVERSE OR AT LEAST FOR YOUR TV NEEDS ONLY GO DIRECT TV. YOW WILL BE HAPPY YOU DID… CHANGE IS GREAT
By timmy g
August 4, 2009 1:06 AM | Link to this
anon…by the way , how long have you worked for timewarner. i cannot blame you for sticking up for them, jobs are hard to find, so working for a outfit like time warner , you and your fellow workers should be looking for a new job, frankly with no customers the will not need you or most of the few workers they have. hell thier contractors are the only people that can fix service on the first visit
By Ian
August 4, 2009 8:05 AM | Link to this
I’m not defending TWC, but for those screaming ‘switch to DirecTV’, you must know that DTV carries only one PBS station, so if it is lots of PBS you want, TWC is still the place to be.
By kenglish
August 4, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this
“Dear TWC: You @#$%. You took away my &^%$# channels. You raised my ^$#(%^& rates. You people @$#^%&%………..Here’s my check for this month. See you again in 30 days.” Sorry. That’s not the way to get something changed.
By B.W.
August 5, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this
I rarely watch TV but when I do it’s PBS. Although our cable bill is up there because my husband is a big tv buff, he was pushing for AT&T in our town, now I’ll push with him.
By RP7
August 17, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this
Will they ever fix the awful picture quality, audio drop-outs, pixelation ect! This has gotten so much worse lately.
By Joe L.
March 1, 2011 2:48 PM | Link to this
Well I know that TWC is looking at removing PBS. DISH has the most HD avail over 200 channels. DISH provides locals in HD in over 96% of the country. So with this you can be sure that there in most cases the PBS channels are avail. DISH has packages that are for everyone so you can get what fits you. DISH also offers the HD package for free. So find out how you can get these awesome deals call DISH today.
By Ionindisata
April 25, 2011 10:56 AM | Link to this
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