Insight Communications Has Ruined My Year

In the runup to its January 1st launch, I thought I’d plan ahead and find out on exactly which channel the MLB Network will be appearing among the many hundreds of offerings I receive from my cable provider, Insight Communications. After all, I’d hate to tune to channel 947 when the Larsen perfect game is appearing on channel 962! Plus, it’s never too early to set up a series recording of what looks to be the be-all and end-all of nightly highlight shows!

You’ll imagine my surprise, therefore, when I discovered a few moments ago that Insight will not be carrying the MLB Network in 2009.

This from just about the only cable company who actually carried the Big Ten Network when it launched. Other channels — just the HD ones, mind you — I will be able to watch that are not the MLB Network:

A&E
ABC
ABC Family
AMC
Animal Planet
Big Ten Network
Bravo
CBS
Cinemax
CNBC
CNN
CW
Discovery Channel
Disney Channel
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPNEWS
ESPNU
Food Network
FOX
FOX Business News
FOX News
FX
HBO
HDNet
HDNet Movies
HD Theater
HGTV
History
My Network
National Geographic
NBC
NFL Network
Palladia
Pay-Per-View
PBS
Science Channel
SCI FI Channel
Showtime
Special Events
SPEED Channel
Sportstime Ohio
Starz
TBS
TLC
TNT
Travel Channel
Universal HD
USA Network
Weather Channel
WGN
HD On Demand
HD Movies On Demand
Ambient HD On Demand
FEARnet HD On Demand
Nat Geo HD On Demand
Sundance HD On Demand
HD On Demand: Action
HD On Demand: Comedy
HD On Demand: Drama
HD On Demand: Horror/Sci Fi
HD On Demand

So I get a channel called “Ambient” and something called “Palladia,” but I don’t get in on the largest channel launch in the history of cable television.

This is why five-day waiting periods were invented.


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Steve
15 years ago

That really blows, though I have to defend Palladia.  It’s an MTV HD channel that shows a ton old concerts and unplugged shows.  I was watching The Who at the Isle of Wight in 1971 the other night.  You really can’t beat The Who in that era.

FEARnet sounds great.  I like my fear both on demand and in HD.

Doug
15 years ago

Time Warner is carrying MLB Network, just not in HD.  I suppose it is better than nothing…

MooseinOhio
15 years ago

You’ve got the Weather Channel in HD – now that will be a treat.

Jason @ IIATMS
15 years ago

I’ll let you have access to my slingbox.

TC
15 years ago

The question, however: is watching Don Larsen’s perfect game enough to change cable companies RIGHT NOW?

GregE
15 years ago

How does one find out who will be carrying the channel? I am worried for I live in Iowa City where our local cable company seems to have been the last cable company to agree to getting the Big 10 Network despite it being a town with a Big 10 University.

Pete Toms
15 years ago

Jason, how do you like Slingbox?  As you probably know, MLB was gonna sue them and then backed off….

Doug Christy
15 years ago

I’m taking the pluinge, Shyster, since my local cable company isn’t offering the MLB Network.  So, I told them to shove off and I’m running right into DirectTV’s arms, for better or for worse.

Pete Toms
15 years ago

A lot of folks won’t get MLB Channel.

Yes, it is the much lauded most successful channel launch in cable history at 50 million homes, but that’s roughly about 1/2 of cable homes.

RoyceTheBaseballHack
15 years ago

Well Shyster, at least you can watch Speed and see the Formula One season when it, um, starts back up, and all the awesome motorcycle racing when it, um, starts back up.
In the meantime, you should be able to get it on your PC.

Eric
15 years ago

Will it be carried in Canada?

Dr Paisley
15 years ago

Doug, I’m glad you said Time Warner is carrying MLB, because I couldn’t find anything about it on their site, and the MLB Network site sucks huge green Cansecos in terms of their actual information. The link that says “find out if your provider is carrying MLB Network” has no information on that subject, and their “contact us” page has street addresses and an email for the pr department. Dorknozzles.

jwb
15 years ago

“FEARnet HD On Demand” is all Jim Rice all the time, right?

hgkgk
15 years ago

My friend works at insight and says that they are working on a deal, so don’t give up yet.