Hunters and anglers alike were stunned when they switched on the Men’s Outdoors and Recreation Channel (Channel 218) on Dish Network and were greeted with the message “We are sorry, Dish Network no longer carries this channel”. The explanation given was that Dish was discontinuing all of the channels offered by The Media Group.
Dear Dish Network Customer,
Thank you for your email. We regret to inform you that as of July 13th, 2007 the following channels, owned by The Media Group, are no longer available:
· Men’s Outdoor Recreation – Channel 218
· iDrive – Channel 211
· Healthy Living Channel – Channel 223
· iShop – Channel 229
· Men’s 2 – Channel 219
· Resorts and Residence – Channel 216
· Water – Channel 217
· Beauty and Fashion – Channel 225
Like many rural television viewers, I depend on satellite providers for all of my television including local channels. I am continually amazed as fewer and fewer of the 100 channels that are part of my programming package have any redeeming value to my family and I. Up until recently, the majority of my televisions time has been split between RFD TV, MOR and the Outdoor Channel. Now only one of those channels is available to me.
Apparently, I am not the only outdoors man upset by this. A Thread on Archerytalk, has even vigorously discussed this topic. As of now it is unclear who the blame lies with, The Media Group, or Dish. But it is generally surmised that the root of the dispute is money.
MOR has a Petition on it’s web page. Currently DirectTV still carries MOR on channel 604.
So do you have any opinion on this? Leave me a comment and let me know.
