Premium Channels Programming - WTF

[mzpro5]

I haven't had any premium channels for sometime (not counting several free offerings) but this weekend DTV has Cinemax for free. While drinking my morning coffee I scanned the program guide and here is a sampling of what the Cinemax channels have on for just a 3-4 hour span:

3 Musketeers - '93
Running Scared - '86
Beverly Hills Cop - '84
Blue Chips - '94
Repo Man - '84
Species - '95
Waterworld - '95
Platoon - '86
The Dead Zone - '83

Some of these movies aren't bad but most of these (if not all) have been on basic channels over and over (sure you get commercials but that is what a DVR is for). And you can get from a wally world $5 bin in you really like it.

The most ridiculous thing is this is the schedule on a "free preview" weekend. I would think they would have some better stuff on to entice people to sign up. Why would anyone want to pay $12/month for stuff that is 16-27 years old?

Well just reminds me why I don't bother with premium channels.

 

[Deacon]

Thus the exact reason why I cancelled HBO when the Sopranos went off the air. Premium channels is just TBS and the F/x channel without the commercials.

 

[Huey]

With HBO owning Cinemax, I think they keep it that way just to have "nostalgic" movies. First runs are on HBO, and then maybe Cinemax, with a lot of movies being from the 80's and 90's. At one time, it was the only place to get all of the Star Wars movies in HD and commercial free. I've got to admit, these movies and earlier would be the ones I want to stream. I went looking the other day to see if anybody offered Chaplin on streaming and was disappointed that I couldn't find it, except for rent.

In all honesty though, most people who rent Skinemax, are only doing it for the soft core porn showed at night!

 

[Yesfan70]

All those listings are probably on Netflix too.

I bet the good programming comes back after the free weekend is over. I can remember, when I had cable, channels like TBS, WGN, and others were included with the basic cable package. Now those types of channels are moved to a higher tier in order to get the consumer to pay a higher cost to get them.

 

[Huey]

All those listings are probably on Netflix too.

I bet the good programming comes back after the free weekend is over. I can remember, when I had cable, channels like TBS, WGN, and others were included with the basic cable package. Now those types of channels are moved to a higher tier in order to get the consumer to pay a higher cost to get them.

Why would they choose poorer programming on a weekend they were trying to get subscribers? I would think that the programming would get worse after the weekend is over. Well maybe not worse, but the same movie's in a heavier rotation.

 

[-B-]

Movies aren't what HBO is about for me anymore. Their original programming is why I get it. The shows, the docs, specials. HBO is most of my television viewing.

 

[Deacon]

Movies aren't what HBO is about for me anymore. Their original programming is why I get it. The shows, the docs, specials. HBO is most of my television viewing.

I will admit HBO does have some pretty good original programming but I think it has fallen off in recent years (much easier to say now that I don't have it).

Their shows have been really good over the years even going back to one of my favorites from years past which was Dream On.

 

[mzpro5]

All those listings are probably on Netflix too.

I bet the good programming comes back after the free weekend is over. I can remember, when I had cable, channels like TBS, WGN, and others were included with the basic cable package. Now those types of channels are moved to a higher tier in order to get the consumer to pay a higher cost to get them.

Why would they choose poorer programming on a weekend they were trying to get subscribers? I would think that the programming would get worse after the weekend is over. Well maybe not worse, but the same movie's in a heavier rotation.

Have to agree with Huey on this one - this would be the time to put on your best face.

 

[Yesfan70]

All those listings are probably on Netflix too.

I bet the good programming comes back after the free weekend is over. I can remember, when I had cable, channels like TBS, WGN, and others were included with the basic cable package. Now those types of channels are moved to a higher tier in order to get the consumer to pay a higher cost to get them.

Why would they choose poorer programming on a weekend they were trying to get subscribers? I would think that the programming would get worse after the weekend is over. Well maybe not worse, but the same movie's in a heavier rotation.

For some, free preview means firing up the DVR, or DVD recorder, for some free recordings. To avoid this, they air older productions that you can rent or buy for pennies. Those who are interested will look and see what's coming up in the schedule and, when they see the newer programming, maybe think about subscribing. Those who just want free movies won't care about what's coming on later (or the quality of the movie they recorded if using a DVD recorder).

 

[Kazaam]

The movie channels pretty much suck these days. They may have been cool in 1981 before everybody got VCRs (and nowadays Blu-Ray and streaming, etc). But nowadays? Considering that their movie selection sucks? Starz seems to rotate the same movies in and out month after month (and maybe year after year?). There are some new flicks, of course. But it's probably cheaper to just go out and rent the Blu-Ray.

And I suspect -B- is right about the original programming being a big draw. They all probably do it. Starz had that "Spartacus" series. (Thought I'd like it but it got old after a few episodes; though, it apparently was very popular.)

 

[jamhead]

Movies aren't what HBO is about for me anymore. Their original programming is why I get it. The shows, the docs, specials. HBO is most of my television viewing.

I will admit HBO does have some pretty good original programming but I think it has fallen off in recent years (much easier to say now that I don't have it).

Their shows have been really good over the years even going back to one of my favorites from years past which was Dream On.

Although, AMC is really kicking butt on their original programming.

 

[mzpro5]

Movies aren't what HBO is about for me anymore. Their original programming is why I get it. The shows, the docs, specials. HBO is most of my television viewing.

I will admit HBO does have some pretty good original programming but I think it has fallen off in recent years (much easier to say now that I don't have it).

Their shows have been really good over the years even going back to one of my favorites from years past which was Dream On.

Although, AMC is really kicking butt on their original programming.

It seems according to this article some of AMC's programming is taking a hit due to the demands of the Mad Men production team

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/...s-of-anarchy-matthew-weiner-amc_n_925201.html

 

[Barney]

Wonder why I don't have pay-per-view....no cable, DSS, etc. I do pay Netflex for disc's & streaming. For commercial TV.....OTA (my PBS has 4 digt channels, ABC has 3, etc)

 

[Flint]

I can buy on DVD or BluRay all the original content I want from HBO, Showtime or whatever for less than what their monthly subscription prices are. That's why I don't subscribe.

 

[Huey]

Scoured through the offerings from Cinemax this last weekend, dvr'd about 10-12 movies. I hadn't seen Running Scared or War Games in a long time, so it was nice to watch those again. Running Scared wasn't as good as I remember, but War Games is still a classic. It did seem a little dated with all of the older computer stuff, although I'm sure a remake will be in the works at some point. :roll:

 

[Huey]

Quick search shows that they are in talks to remake it: War Games Remake!

 

[heeman]

DirecTV just sent me a card indicating that they have activated free Showtime for 3 months, for being a valued customer for the past 3 years.

We have not looked at the schedule yet, but, it's free, maybe we will catch a few good flicks!

 

[Kazaam]

Quick search shows that they are in talks to remake it: War Games Remake!

Huey's a Post Whore! 1003+ and counting! Congrats.

Speaking of War Games, here's a terribly un-CSN-sounding song that was pulled from the original film at the last minute.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9o-eL0ezKs[/youtube]