Channels and Programming

[sjdesilets]

The Comcast Newsmakers is not even news.  Here in Washington it is totally boring and insignificant minutia.  The Casey Anthony trial was interrupted by about a dozen times (so far) with a 5 minute interview about the City of Lakewood's Sewer project and giving population data of the city.  Why do I care?  Another one they repeat over and over is just a state congressman describing how it is to be a state senator.  Jeez.  Are we not paying for programming?  Any significant news is on our local news broadcasts.  I think it is all to make the politicians happy, as I read some municipalities have political issues with Comcast policies.

I also wrote on CNN's contact page, where you can write specifically about HLN.

[dlopresti_992]

I absolutely hate Comcast Newsmakers.  I am currenty trying to watch the Casey Anthony trial and just when something interesting happens here comes the Comcast Newsmaker person giving me information that I have seen for a month and in the same clothes for a month   I am so annoyed by this.  I never asked for this and I certainly don't feel I should have to pay for it. Stop Stop Stop

[Emerson1332]

In a message from Gina who told me.....

"Just found out you can watch the entire Casey Anthony trial without interuptions online via orlando sentinal.

It's a shame we have to watch this online to avoid Comcast Newsmakers being shoved down our throats."

I tried it and she is correct. The only difference is that what you see is only the person testifying, not the split screen with Casey in it. If it gets rid of the awful newsmakers, so what?

[Emerson1332]

"Just found out you can watch the entire Casey Anthony trial without interuptions online via orlando sentinal.

It's a shame we have to watch this online to avoid Comcast Newsmakers being shoved down our throats."

I tried it and she is correct. The only difference is that what you see is only the person testifying, not the split screen with Casey in it. If it gets rid of the awful newsmakers, so what?

[Adamluttenberge]

Please get rid of comcast newsmakers on HLN. It interrupts. They have nothing interesting to say. I would rather switch to satellite dish network or AT&T that does not have a filler

[noble2517]

I have complained to CNN HLN in the past about this Newsmakers interruption by Comcast.  I never got any response or acknowledgment from them.

It is incredible that Comcast continues this annoying drivel when no one wants it.  It serves no purpose other than Comcast can claim the customer's waste as a community service and get a tax benefit.

[noble2517]

Since Comcast can't get rid of Newsmakers, you can watch the live coverage at CNN as long as you haven't used your quota.  It seems to be slightly delayed, but there are no commercial breaks, or even talking heads for that matter.  Comcast is making their cable television business irrelevant.  I'm beginning to think all I need is Internet access either through Comcast, a satellite company or the local phone company.  I can watch TV and get VOIP over the Internet.

[keywestcass]

Why does comcast newsmakers break every half hour and show reruns of discussions over and over again.  This not a news break (local, national or otherwise).

[keywestcass]

I agree.  My viewing is interrupted every half hour and it shows nothing but reruns.

[gypsy11]

Comcast NewMakers is beyond annoying-it down right sucks.  At 20 minutes past the hour on HLN you get 5 minutes of commercials then 5 minutes of Newsmakers.  Then 10 minutes before the hour its 5 minutes of commercials and then 5 minutes of Newsmakers.

Newsmakers has the blonde bimbo with self promoting politicians telling us how great they are.  What a load of rubbish.  I have an idea.  Put Newsmakers on the FOX.

HLN isn't worth the time to watch.  

[onetwothreetim]

I agree, I just change the channel when those newsmaker things come on. 

Boring.

It frustrating to have the trial interrupted every 25 min by that Newsmaker bore.

[Terri067]

I total agree I hate the half hour interruptions on Comast Newsmakers.  They are stupid and boring and if need be they should be on the New Jersey Channel 62.

[SoCalDreamer]

Here is another way to watch the Casey Anthony trial - it is on from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on TruTV, Channel 30 (north of Philadelphia)     No Interruptions!!!  When they take a commercial break, flip back to HLN, sometimes they are still televising the trial, different stations take commercial breaks at different times. BUT NO COMCAST NEWSMAKERS!!!!! 

     Agree completely about the horrendous Newsmakers. Have read that Comcast, like all broadcasters, has a legal duty under FCC regulations to broadcast a certain amount of community service programming.  Most networks put this stuff on in the middle of the night so as not to interrupt regular programming.  Not Comcast.  Comcast has apparentely struck some deal with the University of Deleware to use their studios to "produce" these horrendous shows which are crammed down the viewers throats every half hour of the day.  Comcast does not really care about the quality or content of "newsmakers" as it runs the same "interviews" hour after hour, week after week.

      What also is puzzling is why Comcast only wants  Jill Horner on it's shows.  No males, no minorities, no people of different ages or ethnic backgrounds as interviewers.  Horner is the worst interviewer I have ever seen.  The "shows" are a waste of time and yes, even the people being interviewed are bored.  Horner looks like she is about to fall off the chair in a coma.  Comcast please take this nonsense off the air, we pay for this garbadge and your customers do not like or want it.  Put this programming on another channel or late at night.  Comcast, you are only creating "ill will" with the public and as a company reliant on customers, you need to rethink this decision. 

[segnesa]

I don't like it either.  There must be a real place to complain, ie with a decision maker at the end of the complaint...

[NMurphy02]

I totally agree that this is so irritating.  I turn the channel too and sometimes forget to go back.  I'll bet you HLN is losing ratings due to this.

[commanguy]

I would try either CNN or Time Warner who owns CNN. There may be something on the HLN web site also.

Going direct to those sources might work better than here.

The forums are mainly customer to customer with limited monitoring by Comcast employees. And the employees that do come here when asked would have to pass any complaints like this up the line anyway.

[Songperson]

I am so frustrated with this situation. When the interruptions started I was completely confused. After two weeks of this I called Comcast and was told they didn't have any idea what I was talking about. I was also told it would be looked into and they would call me back. That never happened. So I tried calling this morning and was again told they knew nothing about what I was talking about. Then I googled Comcast Newsmakers and, within 30 seconds, found a website that told how this segment is scheduled to cut into HLN twice every hour. Then I came to this forum and found this discussion. 

How is it possible that the folks on the phone at Comcast supposedly knew nothing about this when it is all over the internet and on their own forum? 

So I called again and, once again, was told that they knew nothing of what I was speaking about. 

Are you sensing the same thing I am? My guess is that Comcast has an agreement with HLN to broadcast what are really just elongated commercials for Comcast and that employees are told to completely play dumb or ignore complaints about it. 

It really makes me angry and I think it's a terrible marketing strategy. I will now just boycott HLN and let them know I do not like these inane commercials.

[Rick_Tatham]

Waited 3 years to watch the Casey Anthony trial, now it's interrupted every hour. PLEASE get rid Comcast Newsmakers!

[Susanismad]

Me, too.  I am streaming it live from the CNN.com video page.  Just about ready to end my association with Comcast.

[keroconn]

I HATE Comcast Newsmakers with a passion. Every time it comes on I have to change the channel out of disgust and anger that my tv viewing is being interrupted with complete garbage. Get it together comcast.

[chainsaw02536]

I'd rather be dope sick than watch another segment of newsmakers....and what's with her glasses? Is that clark kent's sister?

[SoCalDreamer]

Ha, Ha, Ha  (about the glasses)  LOL

      Read somewhere  that one individual in the Comcast heirarchy is responsible for the decision about Newsmakers.  I will try to find that article again and the name.  He is a VP of programming or something like that.  The guy is a real programming genius  with a real talent for great programming decisions

[Susanismad]

I am more than happy to write him/her and reveal the flaws in his programming plan!

[Susanismad]

I sent two e-mails to Comcast complaining about the Newsmakers breaking into other news and week-end shows.  They replied by telling me how wonderful CNM is and that it can't be moved (to one of the seven local programming channels available to them here in Northern California) and how lucky we are that HLN gives Comcast this opportunty.  I also wrote to HLN (CNN) and haven't gotten a reply...

[comcstsux]

Here's the contact info for Comcast's Comcast Newsmakers, although i doubt they will ever respond.

www.norcalnewsmakers.com

click on "contact information"

[deejaygee]

hate comcast news    same old  storeis   every half hour   please let us watch the trial

[rkomo]

Please, please get rid of Comcast Newsmakers.  I pay dearly for my service and I'd like to see this program removed.  It constantly interrupts my viewing, showing the same people over and over again.  Get rid of it.

[rkomo]

That is so funny that you said you "race to the TV to turn off" the Comcast Newsmakers because I do the same thing.  It is so annoying, isn't it?  The icing on the cake, for me, is that every time it comes on, my husband says "TONE-YA!, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"  I'm definitely going to try to contact HLN and any other channel I see it on.    Comcast charges too much for us to put up with this. 

[rkomo]

Hopefully they're reading all of these posts and getting the message.  Time to get rid of Newsmakers!

[segnesa]

This is what I sent to the El Dorado County Comcast Newsmakers rep, Philip Arndt.  

"Comcast Newsmakers is a professionally-produced 5-minute news interview program that can be seen on CNN Headline News. The programs feature government and community leaders interviewed by our veteran broadcast journalists, and the interviews fit seamlessly into the Headline News rotation."  

This is absolutely UNTRUE.  I have waited for 3 years to watch the Casey Anthony trial, and CNewsmakers constantly interrupts testimony and other court activities, making me a VERY UNHAPPY VIEWER.  In addition, the ending of HLN's Saturday afternoon and evening line up is prempted by CNewsmakers, so that viewers can never see the ending of the shows!  You can move your programming to any one of the seven or so local programming channels on Comcast Cable, which would make hundreds if not thousands of viewers very happy.

I notice that your web page is directed towards those who might fill the show timeslots, not the viewers.  Can't imagine why (sarcasm).

I am seriously considering getting rid of Comcast altogether, and Comcast Newsmakers is one of the primary reasons why.

Sincerely, 

An unhappy viewer,

Susan X. XXXXXXX

PS  I am so irritated with CNewsmakers that I change the channel immediately when those stars appear on my screen.

[segnesa]

Unfortunately, if you visit their webpage (at least in No. California) it is a BIG deal with lots of people making a living off producing these dull, uninspiring, pointless segments.  Reading between the lines, they seem to have problems finding people to interview, and ALL their kudos are from interviewees, not viewers.  I think the best we can hope for is that they move it to a local access station.  

Susan

[flnurse]

Email reply back from Office of Rick Germano (HIS OFFICE THAT is) below. NOT acceptable to me. And referring me to HLN???What ever happened to listenng to thee voice of the customer? I am writing back to ask them to share the positive feedback quotes/emails they have received about these useless interruptions.

Hello, Dish TV! Coming soon! Mad as h*ll and not gonna take it no more. I have not ONCE seen a comcasr help and support employee respond to anything in this and related threads. Insult to INJURY Comcast!!!

PS--Seeking Solutions Suzanne lady REALLY creeps me ou. First time I saw I thought it was a hoax of some sort.

-----Original Message-----
From: Comcast ECARE <ecare@comcast.com>
Sent: Wed, Jun 15, 2011 12:04 pm
Subject: Re: Comments for Rick Germano (KMM6659606V53788L0KM)

Dear Ms. XXXXXXX, hank you for contacting the Comcast Office of Rick Germano, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations regarding Comcast Newsmakers. I can certainly understand your frustrations with having this program interrupting the trial. My name is Michelle and I am happy to assist you with your Comcast Newsmakers concerns today. I understand the frustrations you have expressed regarding these interruptions. We apologize for any inconvenience Comcast Newsmakers may cause you. We never interrupt the actual top stories on Headline News but insert these local edition news breaks over feature and human interest stories at :25 and :55 past the hour. CN8, The Comcast Network produces these local news interviews by agreement with Headline News. Comcast provides them as a public service to our customers, free of charge, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. We realize that not all topics covered on Comcast Newsmakers will interest everyone. But we endeavor to give our customers unique community programming that informs, entertains and enriches. I will be sure to share your comments and concerns with the appropriate team for review. You may also want to share your feedback with HLN directly. You can do this by going to the following link: http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?65 Ms. XXXXX, I appreciate you providing us the opportunity to assist you. If you have any further concerns do not hesitate to contact us again. Thank you for choosing Comcast. We do appreciate your business. Sincerely, Michelle Flood 

[segnesa]

Hmmmm.  Looks like I may have been booted off the Customer Forum????

[segnesa]

Fatuous babble.  If they said that they all make a living off this nonsensical garbage and refuse to give it up, at least that would be honest.

[demomanMLS]

Apparently the St. Paul, MN system is immune to "Comcast Newsmakers" since its not come up on HLN in the past hour here.

[comcstsux]

hey wheres my post??? being deleted by comcast staff?

i had said an hour ago that its bs that they say "we never interrupt the actual top stories on headline news"

and i said good news because i just spoke to a comcast corporate person, Tracy, who told me they are working on fixing the problem of the newsmakers interrupting shows. hope its true and happens soon.

call her to keep her on top of it: Tracy, 925-424-0954 (CA).

She does sometimes answer her phone directly and also does return calls.

Another complaint I have is how to unsubscribe to this forum. i chose that in my settings yet comcast keeps sending me all the emails! sucks! typical of them to annoy and give what you dont want.

[CCCarole]

You can unsubscribe to a thread by clicking on Topic Options at the top of the Thread.

[Queen-Evie]

---

comcstsux wrote:

hey wheres my post??? being deleted by comcast staff?

and i said good news because i just spoke to a comcast corporate person, Tracy, who told me they are working on fixing the problem of the newsmakers interrupting shows. hope its true and happens soon.

Another complaint I have is how to unsubscribe to this forum. i chose that in my settings yet comcast keeps sending me all the emails! sucks! typical of them to annoy and give what you dont want.

---

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[Rich_B]

I just found out how to unsubscribe...At the top, under My Settings,  Subscriptions & Bookmarks, uncheck "subscribe to posts I reply to" or something like that

[Gina1950]

Thank you for the info, appreciate it

[narient]

I do enjoy some of the programming on HLN. I do not enjoy Comcast Newsmakers, and it almost always cuts off a topic of in the programming I am waiting to hear. PLEASE REMOVE COMCAST NEWSMAKERS.

[Babsy13]

For the love of God why are we subjected to the same Comcast Newsmakers segments over and over and over and over and over and over and over again!!!  Why does HLN, CNN, and Comcast think their viewers want to have their programs interrupted by these inane segments?  If this show is going to continue to air please, I beg you, allow Jill Horner to film NEW segments.  I hope that this program is taken off the air because it is an annoyance and nothing else.  When I hear the theme music it's my cue to change channels.  Get rid of Comcast Newsmakers------PLEASE!

[demomanMLS]

Now why can't Comcast Newsmakers be put on the public access channels as some kind of half hour show or something? That way then at least people who are interested in Comcast Newsmakers can watch it while HLN viewers are not having their programming cut off with it.

[Susanismad]

They have done that, too, in Northern California.  There is an expanded version on one of the community access channels, as well as the twice hourly presentation on HLN.  I don't believe that they will get the Casey Anthony Trial interruptions "fixed" before the trial is over.

[angelodee]

STOP INTERRUPTING PROGRAMS WITH JILL HORNER'S (OR ANYONE ELSES) INTERVIEWS.

WHAT IS THAT? GET RID OF HER AND HER BORING TALKING - WHO WANTS TO LISTEN TO HER.

[judyd224]

Today Comcast Newsmakers has interrupted the Casey Anthony trial on Headline news. Every 5 or 6 minutes they cut in to the trial right when the witness testimony is most interesting. What on earth is going on? Comcast is intolerable, and it is time to move on to another cable carrier.

[companysucks]

Comcast newsmakers sucks!  I know what you mean about interruptions.  And what a waste of money.  No one watches it.  They should stop making them and save us money.  Maybe then they wouldn't raise our rates every 6 months!

[NMurphy02]

I'm starting to think the different states must pay them $$ for this.  Why else would HLN allow the last 5 to 10 minutes of their shows to be cut off and what other reason would Comcast do this?

[rog286713]

what channels are you watching that this comes up. I have never even seen this on my system.

[CCCarole]

Posted before, and mentioned again in this thread:

"This comes up from time to time. Comcast presumably has agreements with what is now HLN to insert the local news. It may take awhlie for those agreements to end. I think it has stopped in some areas."

Rog, you may not see it, but many others do, as we are seeing all the posts here.  FYI- I get them here too-Channel 56 is HLN is my area.

[bigjoe4650]

PLEASE STOP THIS INSANE WASTE OF 20 MINUTES EVERY HOUR OF THIS NEWSMAKERS INTERRUPTIONS OF THE CNN NEWS...THIS IS SUCH AN ANNOYANCE AND WASTE OF TIME AND YOU REPEAT THE SAME CONCERNS OVER AND OVER.....STOP