Pgh. Post-Gazette Editorial: "Comcastic? Fans smell a political rat in moving MSNBC"

[Junkdrawer]

Looks like the anger over the removal of MSNBC goes far beyond DU...

Hours before a televised presidential debate last December in Portland, Ore., Comcast moved the liberal-leaning MSNBC from basic cable to digital premium. Viewer fury was immediate. Comcast was inundated with complaints from thousands of cable subscribers who would not have been able to switch to the higher-priced package to see the debate on time even if they had wanted to.

In an overwhelmingly liberal town, having to pay a premium to watch MSNBC's Keith Olbermann dismantle the Bush administration every night while Fox and CNN remain part of the basic cable package was infuriating.

Many Oregonians considered the move an attempt to marginalize outspoken liberal voices like Mr. Olbermann's by making it more expensive to get access to them.

....

What happened last year in Portland and other cities is now happening in Western Pennsylvania. Viewers are just as angry. More than a dozen channels were bumped, but only MSNBC, TruTV, Oxygen and the Hallmark Channel were kicked from standard to digital premium.

....

Still, there are a lot of unhappy subscribers who want their MSNBC. If a cable subscriber is truly mad enough, complaining to Comcast, moving to a competitor, pulling the plug or subscribing to the paper may be the way to go.

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/08201/898010-192.stm

[Taverner]

1. Friends in Eugene told me MSNBC's spot was switched with Faux Biz Channel

:grr:

[I Have A Dream]

2. I'm really upset. I still have it because I have the upgrade, but...

it's not fair to everyone else. Also, move all 3 if they're going to do something like this.

x(

I'll be calling! My husband already has.

[CatWoman]

9. I had to upgrade to digital cable in order to get MSNBC.

and that was when Phil Donohue had his show.

[Common Sense Party]

3. "Liberal-leaning MSNBC"??? I thought it was run by corporate repukes.

[PSPS]

5. Yeah, that's a laugh isn't it? More like MSGOP.

[anonymous171]

13. It's corporate and GOP but it has some liberal programs.

But yes, it's coverage is pretty much the same as all the others.

[Cha]

30. Hello..msnbc has Keith Olbermann who

is into facts and if that makes him Liberal so be it.

I just read on DU that Phil Griffin was the new president of msnbc and is reportedly a friend of KO. He was quoted as saying Rachel Maddow was on a short list for her own show.

http://www.observer.com/2008/media/phil-griffin-gets-new-title-president-msnbc

[gatorboy]

4. "Liberal Leaning" is pushing it a little, isn't it?

I mean they still have their fair share of conservatives, don't they?

[Junkdrawer]

7. In the Cable News world, anything that isn't non-stop pro-GOP is "liberal leaning"...

just a matter of contrast.

[Quantess]

8. Yeah, right. And I suppose FOX is "fair and balanced".

MSNBC is the only cable "news" channel worth watching anymore. All the others are right wing propaganda distributors. CNN "Headline News" has Glenn Beck for 2 hours every evening at prime time, for god's sake. Glenn Beck is there for the half of the population that has below average IQ.

[The Wielding Truth]

22. It's the closest I've seen some actual reality views.

Keith Oberman and Rachel Maddow have given all they can to keep the truth out there.

[Eurobabe]

6. Comc-ASSTIC alright

At least they haven't screwed with Montgomery Co., PA yet - but I'm sure it's on the list. We're lucky enough to have digital cable & high speed internet though, to the tune of $170 a month! Comc-ASSED better watch it, soon no one will be able to afford their shitty service.

[Olney Blue]

10. I'm in Montgomery County Maryland, and I finally dumped Comcast

for Verizon. I'm still paying out the nose for cable, but the Comcast service was horrifying.

[loveable liberal]

11. All Comcast headlines come from FAUX...

for the most part. I hate comcast. I'm thinking about returning to direct tv and getting VOIP now that they've fixed their 911 issues.

[I Have A Dream]

15. Yes, that makes me sick. I look at the news since it's right there in...

my face, and then I find that it's a video from FOX News! :puke:

[billyoc]

12. Liberal leaning...

2 words: Dead Intern.

[SoCalDem]

21. Sad, isn't it?? ONE stinking hour of liberal programming

and the network gets labeled "liberal"...:wtf:

[Junkdrawer]

25. That's 1 hour more than Fox or CNN n/t

[MasonJar]

14. Get rid of Comcast. They may be biased, but money still talks. Begin a

campaign against them.

[SoCalDem]

20. When I dumped Adelphia, & took the box back, they asked WHY.

I told them, I do not like your company's politics..and do not want a PENNY of mine to end up in George Bush's campaign loot..

[blue neen]

16. I'm one of Comcast's western PA subscribers, and they WILL be hearing

from me on Monday. I really resent Comcast's efforts to control my mind and my political views.

Boy, the powers-that-be are really running scared now, aren't they? Their desperate measure of trying to impose what we are going to watch on cable THAT WE PAY $160 A MONTH FOR is pretty transparent.

Geebus, I am paying THEM, and they are trying to BRAINWASH ME! Infuriating.

Thank you Pittsburgh Post Gazette for speaking out.

[loudsue]

17. You'd THINK that MSNBC (NBC) would have more influence ...complain to THEM

Comcast may have to listen if NBC and their advertisers get a brazillian calls from angry MSNBC watchers. Comcast could care less about customer number 9,453,267 making a complaint, but they might take notice if MSNBC gets pissed.

:kick:

[slipslidingaway]

18. They also moved the Senate cspan channel n/t

[Junkdrawer]

24. Yep. Moved it just before the Leahy Gonzo hearings...

Quite a coincidence...

[SoCalDem]

19. D.I.S.H.

Same price more or less...much more "liberal" programming..:)

[AnnieBW]

23. Pittsburgh is overwhelming liberal?

Not since I left it.

[Junkdrawer]

26. Overwhelming Democratic...Liberal? Not so much...n/t

[PinkyisBlue]

27. ComCast just moved MSNBC to digital premium where I live in NH.

I was so angry, I called the 1-800 number listed on the blank channel screen (where MSNBC used to be). I was on hold for at least 20 minutes, then I was connected to a customer service rep with a thick accent. I asked him if he was located within the US and he said no, he's in Mexico. He was able to tell me what channel MSNBC had moved to, and he said I need to rent a digital box to access the channel. I expressed my anger about this ComCast move, and he was very nice about it. I will need to visit my local ComCast center and complain in person.

This really stinks. I guess this is the only way O'Reilly will be able to get his ratings up to beat Olbermann. They learned from the elections, if you can't beat 'em, cheat and then you can say you beat 'em.

[cyberpj]

28. Don't just call Comcast, Call MSNBC as well and tell them what's happening. nt

[cyberpj]

29. Now happening in New England too - "No more MSNBC for Comcast proletariat"

No more MSNBC for Comcast proletariat
Posted on July 18, 2008 by Greg Reibman
Filed Under Elections, News |

Cable provider Comcast has dropped MSNBC and a few other channels from its regular lineup, moving them to a more expensive tier which requires renting a digital converter box. The change appears to be statewide and in other states as well.

Even if it wasn’t intentional, removing the “liberal” cable channel (including Keith Olberman’s “Countdown“) a few months before the national election sure feels like a politically motivated move.

link:
http://home.wickedlocal.com/2008/07/18/no-more-msnbc-for-comcast-proletariat/

[Junkdrawer]

31. Kick

:kick: