Have you noticed how the cable channels are shifting away from programming

[Skidmore]

which tries to provide historical proof of the bible to programs focusing on Alaska, technology, and oil? They're also continuing lots of history of the military and war programming too. The house flipping programs have declined a bit, but the emphasis on dating (in a meat market kind of way) and expensive overwrought weddings (gaaack, that Platinum Brides show is disgusting) followed by programs of women giving birth remains.

Just noting this.

[rucky]

1. And every b-lister celebrity has their own show.

We get to watch them pick up dog poop and hire gardners.

See, they're just like us!

[Crunchy Frog]

2. I'm so glad I don't have cable anymore.

People actually pay for that shit?

[BlooInBloo]

8. The Food Channel and ESPN make it worthwhile for me.

[snappyturtle]

3. I have DISH and I have noticed on HGTV and DIY how much of the

programming is OLD! I wonder if they're re-investing any profit dollars into development of new programs or if it's all going to the top like our other facist driven corporations?

[Skidmore]

4. I think they are pushing to make certain that people

really buy their HDTV programming. We won't buy one of those HDTVs yet. They are too expensive. Even though a box is to get you buy without that purchase, I think we'll see a day when all the new programs will only be in HDTV format and at a higher fee.

[SoCalDem]

7. They have warehouses full of "taped stuff", so they just edit the

pieces together and call it "new".. Poor Jane Pauley.. She's been excised from the old 8-days a week "Time and Again"(and again, and again, and again, and again)... and the pieces she introduced, lo those many years ago, and now "new" again..with Stone Phillips (aka Rock Flat-head, as we called him in our house) or the equally unctuous "teacher tried to date 13 yr old" guy at the helm..

We are "treated" to old crime sagas from 1994..or "Happy Days at Sing-Sing"..

There is no dearth of "stuff happening"..stuff that could end up killing us or at the very least, bankrupting us, but we won't hear about it.. Scary stuff that actually affects our lives, might make us too scared to spend that last paycheck at The Gap, or to take the family out to dinner 4 times a week, instead of paying the mortgage..

Our sponsors need us buying stuff, and vicarious fear ..video-fear or scary-movie fear is grrrrrrreat, but real fear, or real stuff?... They won't spend the money for insvestigations because it's a bottom-line buster....and they have plenty of stored away footage to recycle

[CrispyQ]

5. Recently, I've seen two "first time buyer" programs on HGTV

where the buyers were purchasing foreclosed homes. I've also seen more & more of the house flip shows mention that they need to finish the flip as quickly as possible because the market is getting weaker with every passing day. And also a few where they've been stuck with the house for several months after the flip was complete.

Also noting many, many more ads for the Army on lots of stations.

[Rageneau]

6. Alaska is the new star of Cable TV. Fishermen, Truckers, Roughnecks

[KharmaTrain]

9. Cheap, Easy Programming

In the "good old days" we had 3 networks that were the conduit for virtually all new programming, today there are dozens of channels all trying to get a sliver of the audience.

These shows are quick to make and cheap to produce. There aren't any stars or need to tie up an expensive Hollywood soundstage or even hire union filmhands. All you need is a hand-held cam and another episode is in the can.