Kos Kids Complain About Not Being Able to Get Their MSNBC

Kos Kids Complain About Not Being Able to Get Their MSNBC

By Noel Sheppard (Bio | Archive)
Sun, 05/03/2009 - 11:13 ET

I want my, I want my MSNBC!

So screamed Daily Kos readers Saturday in a post destined to fill your Sunday morning with a much-needed chuckle:

In the past few weeks, it has come to my personal attention that one cable or satellite company after another has been quietly moving MSNBC away from the news channel section of their lineup and into the premium section, or into the stratosphere of three and four digit channels.

As a result, when the ratings came out this week, it was no surprise to see how MSNBC is now a distant third behind CNN and FOX.

The hysterical conclusion:

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If we don't do anything about this, we may lose MSNBC's liberal voice all together.

Oh the humanity.

Of course, at least this writer is willing to admit that MSNBC is a liberal voice. But that's where the sanity ended:

Billsreef's diary is one of a half dozen or so stories I've heard in as many days cable and satellite companies have been quietly, stealthily, and with all sorts of bogus excuses, moving MSNBC out of basic cable, and hiding it somewhere else in their lineup.

They can come up with whatever lying excuses they want, but its obvious they do not want people to see a progressive message.

They do not want people to see a progressive message. Hmmm. So what are people getting from ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and PBS?

That asked, as you likely foresaw, all such irrational paranoia must have a conspiracy theory:

Just a few days ago the numbers came out, and as would be expected, MSNBC's ratings have plummeted in comparison while the other "news" networks' ratings have been going up far more rapidly.

If we don't do something, they will use this as an excuse to end liberal programming.

End liberal programming! Bear in mind that these same people advocate a reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine so as to eliminate conservative talk radio. Yet, despite virtually all media watchdogs as well as polls finding a distinct liberal bias in the press, the Kossacks actually believe MSNBC is the only liberal voice out there.

And here's the solution:

What is needed is true network neutrality. and cable companies should not have control like this to put whatever stations they feel like, wherever they like.

Yep! Cable and satellite companies should not have control over what networks they will offer to viewers, what they will charge for such, and where said channel can be found in the lineup.

Sadly, one could imagine the Obama administration and many in his Party agreeing with them.

With that all as pretext, readers should be aware that cable and satellite companies have not dropped MSNBC. Instead, in some cases, and for whatever the reason, its accessability may have become more expensive and its position in the channel lineup may have changed.

As such, all any of those impacted by these changes need do to remedy the situation is pony up a couple of extra dollars per month and either do an on air search for their propaganda outlet of choice OR -- wait for it -- look at the printed cheat sheet their provider gives them.

Or call their provider and ask where the station has been moved to.

This isn't rocket science.

With that in mind (to Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing"):

Now look at them librals, that's the way you do it
You place anchors on MSNBC
That ain't journalism that's the way you skew it
Cadres for nothin' and your votes for free!

*****Update: I'm getting e-mail messages from all over North America concerning this issue, and wanted to add that cable and satellite providers do INDEED make pricing and placement decisions based upon -- wait for it!!! -- capitalist, free market principles. These may include what they are being charged by the networks in question, and what the ratings are for those networks.

Horrors!

Without checking EVERY provider, I will first refer to the one I currently have. On ATT Uverse, all three cable news channels (CNN, FNC, and MSNBC) are available with basic service. They are also all nearby one another in the channel lineup.

Prior to Uverse, I had Dish Network. Both CNN and FNC are available with basic service. MSNBC costs three dollars more per month, but is near the other two in the channel lineup.

A quick check of DirectTV finds all three networks available in that provider's Choice Package. I can't tell from their website how near these channels are to one another in the lineup.

Comcast in my area offers all three in its standard package with them quite proximate to each other.

As such, in my area, only one of the four prominent providers charges more for MSNBC than CNN and FNC. However, it is in my opinion a more expensive provider in general. That's why we dumped it in December!

Hint, hint!

—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.

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Oh ho! It's a conspiracy.

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 11:19 ET by Blonde

Dolts. It never occurs to them that the move would open up space for channels with more viewers....and better ad revenues!

The never-ending wailing about entitlement has become nothing more than an annoying hum.

But the official demotion of MSNBC to third rate cable status is delicious, indeed.

I hope he fails, too.

Predictable

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 11:27 ET by Galvanic

Just as the Left blames drug gang violence in Mexico on the US, you just knew they'd come up with an excuse for why MSNBC's ratings are so much lower than those of Fox News.

It could never be due to poor quality programming, could it?

Re Comcast

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 11:37 ET by slickwillie2001

On my cable service, Comcast, MSNBC has never been in the 'extended basic' digital or analog 104 channels lineup. It's in some premium newsie package along with Fox Business channel. This is not some recent change.

Second, I believe that a channel's placement in a cable company's offering is based on what the channel charges the cable company for that distribution. I have assumed that MSNBC is considered a premium offering by Comcast because MSNBC extracts a premium price (per subscriber) from Comcast and the other cable companies. This is a business model decision made by MSNBC, not by Comcast. Can anyone confirm?

Sorry, Noel, I don't think

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 11:39 ET by Lord Elicani

Sorry, Noel, I don't think your parody fits the rhythm of the original.That's my only complaint. xD

I used to trust the media
To tell me the truth, tell us the truth
But now I've seen the payoffs
Everywhere I look
Who do you trust when everyone's a crook?

- Queensrÿche, "Revolution Calling"

Fox...

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 11:52 ET by Robert17

FNC was in the second tier of Dish Network for years. It was one of a few channels in the second tier I wanted, but didn't want to pay up for. I think its moved down recently. Probably a conspiracy too. This bonehead doesn't realize that the people watching Fox or MSNBC are more passionate....and the suits know it.

on my dish network

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 11:54 ET by botg

both Fox and Msnbc are extra, while Cnn and Cnbc are in the basic package

“The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.” -- Chief Justice John Roberts

Again, the main difference

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 17:38 ET by nadadhimmi

Again, the main difference between liberals and conservatives surfaces. Conservatives pay their own way and liberals expect OTHERS to pay for them, and then piss and moan about it to boot. Liberals seem to think they are entitled, special, and should live life for free. Conservatives jobs are to shut up, and have their earnings confiscated and redistributed.

Or call their provider

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 12:12 ET by Chris Norman

Or call their provider and ask where the station has been moved to.

That's quite a task for the Kos Kids, the name "MSNBC" is probably very hard for them to pronounce...

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

Line of the day

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 12:37 ET by KC Mulville

Gotta be the line of the day, but we have a way to go.

Thanks KC. You're right -

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 12:46 ET by Chris Norman

Thanks KC. You're right - there are a lot of good lines bouncing around here - that's one big reason I hang around.

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

→ Pronounce?

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 13:38 ET by Cool Arrow

I doubt they could spell MSNBC either.

LYDSEXICS UNTIE!

Aha - there - you see?

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 15:55 ET by Chris Norman

Aha - there - you see? There's always a better line. :)

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

It's all about money

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 11:56 ET by Lord-come-soon-please

Cable and Satellite companies would only move MSNBC or any other channel for one reason - money. They have a perfect right to do with MSNBC whatever they want - drop it, move it, group it with other fiction channels like sci-fi channel or cartoon network. MSNBC produces nothing as far as ratings go, so why would a cable system keep it in it's "premium" channel range? If the Kossacks really miss Keith, Leg-chill boy and Rachel Man-dow, I suggest renting the DVD of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". The characters are eerily similar. Can't you just see Olbermann dressed as Nurse Ratched?

The Perfect Opportunity to Call Your Provider

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 12:08 ET by ConScott

This would be the perfect time to contact your local cable provider or dish company. Time to complain about the ultra-left positions, the vulgarity and so on. Contacting advertisers, those who purchase local inserts wouldn't hurt.

They keep jabbing at conservative talk radio so perhaps it is the time to fire back. We are often far to quiet on these fronts.

Liberal flypaper

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 12:38 ET by KC Mulville

Nah, I say leave MSNBC where it is. The more people are exposed to the vitriol and hate, the more they'll reject it.

Waiting for the One to act

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 12:44 ET by Vivaldi5

MSNBC going the way of Air America Radio--due to free market forces??? Can't be allowed to happen! Mr. Hope/Change/Yes, We Can, please send another dash of socialism from on high to save this network!

Otherwise, "Bathtub Boy" may need to buy a much smaller bathtub!

Call your provider if you do not have Fox as a basic feature.

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 13:22 ET by pahuber

Especially, if you are on a sat.

That is if they want to keep your business.

So many other alternatives...

DirecTV has Fox and Fox

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 13:36 ET by Free Stinker

DirecTV has Fox and Fox Business . . .

I told Cablevision (last two times they called) that if they didn't have Fox Biz, I won't switch back to them!

Great move on your part Free!

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 14:21 ET by pahuber

When my contract is up I am going to Direct TV since Comcast is a bit hard of hearing.

It will take awhile, but eventually after they lose enough business they will start making the right decisions.

I even cancelled HBO

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 14:25 ET by Free Stinker

I even cancelled HBO because of Bill Maher.

And I miss Entourage andBig Love, but sometimes you have to make a sacrifice. And missing TV shows is a small sacrifice.

Has not changed on Dish Network

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 13:59 ET by guefy

I've had Dish as long as I can remember. All the news channels have stayed the same. Anyone notice the poll on Kos? A very large majority says that their MSNBC has not moved. Everyone should go vote there, and I think they should do it honestly, cause honestly the article writer is full of it.

http://teleprompterinchief.blogspot.com/

DIRECT TV channel

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 14:33 ET by gopcongress

DIRECT TV channel assignments:

Fox News 360
MSNBC 356
CNN 202

I get every channel, so I don't know what level of premium subscription are made available for the various channels.

______________________
Moderate... Democrat... Liberal... Progressive... Socialist... Communist—The progression is clear as day.

Just like MTV

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 15:42 ET by someloudthunder

And just like MTV which does not air music anymore and just terrible reality shows, MSNBC doesn't show news any more, just government propaganda.

PMSNBC!

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 15:44 ET by blazermaniac

Name one kid, or anyone else for that matter that wants to see PMSNBC. I've never heard of anyone dumb enough to want that garbage.

Speaking of CNN

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 15:58 ET by nolotrippen

I was in line at Wells Fargo (Fallbrook/Victory location) last week and while I stood in line, a nice young lady asked if I needed anything. I asked if she knew the guy on TV, Wolf Blintzer ;) was lying. She said she was sorry, but they weren't allowed to show anything but CNN. I think Obama should do something!

I manage a store that is

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 16:38 ET by TheBigB

I manage a store that is located in a medical clinic. Their waiting room TV's are also turned to CNN. I have to listen to that crap every day.

Power is the peoples' to give, but it is also theirs to exercise.

My ophthalmologist and my gastro-dude both have

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 17:09 ET by myron243

FNC in the waiting room. The gastro-dude even has small sets in the exam rooms that have the remote so I always leave it on FNC on rare occasion it's on something else when I get there. And both of the doctors are conservatives. But then, I'm out in the northeast boondocks of Harris County, Texas where we cling to our guns and bibles.

nolo: Forgive me if this

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 17:20 ET by QueenMum

nolo: Forgive me if this has been suggested before, but I see an opportunity for the Tea Party to keep active prior to July 4. If you can, change the channel. If you can't, ask someone in the business establishment to do so. Talk to or write to the management of businesses and tell them you prefer FNN. I think, it would be most effective if you approach it in a manner that doesn't necessarily provoke political discussion. Just say something like "Any chance you'd consider carrying FNN instead of or in rotation with CNN?" Add your own ideas regarding why FNN is more appealing.

Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of the tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. - Ayn Rand

poor wittle lefties

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 16:24 ET by candance

Too little too late. They should have joined in with conservies ten years ago in demanding a change to how cable companies bundle their packages. But no, they didn't want that because they know cable packages were the only way to assure MSNBC would end up in our living rooms. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and boo hoo they are suddenly whining.

These people truly believe in pushing their propaganda onto our TVs whether we want it or not.

Amazing how they flip to double standards as soon as it becomes needful to advance their own causes.

O'Reilly...

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 16:35 ET by adamsmith

I'm wondering if Bill O'Reilly will make a statement about this on Monday. I know I'd like to see something like that everytime Herr Obergrupenfuhrer Olbergoebbels calls Fox News the "going out of business channel". That cretin needs to take a long hard look in the mirror and get the rose tint out of those ridiculous glasses. Hasn't that shmuck ever heard of contact lenses anyhow? Oh, that's right, the glasses are a prop to make him look smarter, unfortunately he still looks like a neurotic schizophrenic spitting all over himself.....

"Clark Kent" Olbermann

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 18:24 ET by Chris Norman

"Clark Kent" Olbermann better hope that the current whack powers that be at GE and NBC stay put. If rational management ever take over again, he and his whole cadre at MSNBC will be skidding down the sidewalk on their collective fannies.

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

On my cable system (a

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 16:29 ET by TheBigB

On my cable system (a regional provider that covers a good chunk of the Dakotas), CNN, Fox, MSDNC, CNN Headine and CNBC are all part of the basic package and have been ever since I can remember.

Power is the peoples' to give, but it is also theirs to exercise.

Am I correct in recalling

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 20:03 ET by Rhymes With Right

An effort a couple of years back by these same folks to force FoxNews out of basic cable lineups because those who don't want it should not be forced to pay for it. Now, however, when no one wants their biased liberal MSNBC, they want the government to force everyone to pay for it. So much for consistency.

Blogging at rhymeswithright.mu.nu

I'm not sure about the

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 23:31 ET by TheBigB

I'm not sure about the effort you're referring to, but here's a link to a more recent petition drive:

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/nomorefoxnews

I signed the petition using the old favorite, Jack Meoff. You could also use such names as Willie Makeit, Betty Wont, I. P. Daily, Seymour Butts and all the other classics.

Power is the peoples' to give, but it is also theirs to exercise.

There's only one solution

Sun, 05/03/2009 - 20:34 ET by OxyCon

Obama and his Obamatons can get ACORN to shakedown the cable companies and force them give free cable to everyone who wants to watch MSNBC's deranged Liberal activism.