machpost
join:2002-01-11
Washington, DC
|  [CATV] [DC] Channels disappearing from the lineup
I just noticed today that a local channel, MHz5 (Channel 34), has disappeared from the lineup. Since the digital transition a couple weeks ago, MHz has expanded to broadcasting 10 different channels, but RCN now carries only 7. Will the others be added?
Also, 385 GolTV is giving me a message that it's a subscription channel now, where I used to get this channel with whatever package I'm subscribing to. Is this a mistake, or did this change recently? |
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clock
join:2007-05-02
Roslindale, MA
 ·T-Mobile US
 ·RCN CABLE
·RoadRunner Cable
| said by machpost  : Also, 385 GolTV is giving me a message that it's a subscription channel now, where I used to get this channel with whatever package I'm subscribing to. Is this a mistake, or did this change recently? GolTV was moved to its own a-la-carte package. You can either pick it up alone for $1.99/mo, as part of the sports pack for $4.99 or w/ Setanta and some other soccer channels for $19.99. It was removed from the Signature package around March/April. |
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LewisD
join:2008-03-11 | reply to machpost
Mhz 5 has switched from Dutch programming to the Aljazeera english channel. It went live on OTA today...so maybe RCN dropped it temporarily due to the switch and have yet to bring it back... |
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rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
| reply to machpost
Mhz Channel 5 network BVN was discontinued by Mhz on June 30, 2009 and RCN no longer has the option to offer it to our Customers. RCN has not offered Mhz9 or Mhz10 in the past but continues to discuss carriage rights with Mhz.
GolTV I have to check on, But I know it's avail via ala-carte I believe for 1.99 and it's in MiVision as well.
--
Jason Nealis,
Sr. Director, Video Product and Video Operations |
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JamiLeeD
join:2004-01-03
Silver Spring, MD
1 edit | reply to machpost
Re: [CATV] [DC] Channels disappearing from the lineup
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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machpost
join:2002-01-11
Washington, DC
1 edit | 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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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
| 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
So then my suspicions are correct... |
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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!
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If I don't see you in the future, I'll see you in the pasture |
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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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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
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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LewisD
join:2008-03-11
2 edits | 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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jcjost
join:2004-08-21
Bethesda, MD | I agree. There is no valid reason for RCN not to carry this channel.
John |
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machpost
join:2002-01-11
Washington, DC
1 edit | reply to LewisD
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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