HDNet network in danger of getting pulled from Time Warner cable packages

by James Iannotti on May 19, 2009 10:32 AM EDT Comment 28 comments

The Mark Cuban-owned premium satellite and cable network, HDNet, could be pulled from all Time Warner cable packages as soon as May 31, 2009, according to MMAFanHouse.

The report indicates that the network and the second largest cable company in the United States are having a hard time coming to terms on a new carriage agreement.

What does this mean for MMA fans?

The answer is obvious for those who already subscribe to HDnet. Besides the Friday night program, "Inside MMA," which gives a weekly recap of all things happening in the world of mixed martial arts, there are countless events aired live and via tape delay on the station.

Popular Japanese promotions DREAM, Fields K-1 and World Victory Road have a partnership with HDNet that allows the network to air their events live in North America. So, too, does Maximum Fighting Championships, Xtreme Fighting Championships, Adrenaline MMA and other small organizations. And they've also aired live events from promotions like Strikeforce in the past.

In short, HDNet has quickly become the home channel for MMA fans to get their fix of the fastest growing sport in the world on a daily basis. There would be a lot of angry MMA fans waking up on June 1 if they no longer had the high definition channel.

Time Warner is responsible for distributing HDNet to more than 1 million of the network's subscribers. In all, there are about 15 million HDNet subscribers nationwide, meaning the loss of the Time Warner carrier would be a sizable hit for the MMA-friendly network.

The good news is that the talks between the two sides are still ongoing, and Cuban, as usual, isn't going down without a fight. And he doesn't think you should either.

Here's a snip:

"We are still in discussions. The best thing fans can do is call their local Time Warner general manager and tell them that they love HDNet and would be upset if its taken off."

May 31 is less than two weeks away -- MMAmania.com will keep you posted on the outcome of this little dispute.

In the meantime, if you want to keep HDNet on the Time Warner airwaves, take Cuban's advice and make a phone call ... or two or three.

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Comments

I don’t even have HDNet and I’ll contribute 1 call, whats the #?

by O damn he got caught on May 19, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m with ya.

by DSmith on May 19, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That sucks. Cuban isn’t having very good times lately :).

by LJ on May 19, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He’ll just have to cheer himself up by doing something billionairey.

by PW on May 19, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya…like buy a dinosaur

by McArthur on May 19, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or swim in his pool full of change

by McArthur on May 19, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

With 10 supermodels…

by LJ on May 19, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and a dog dipped in gold…

by Jas on May 19, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya bI have comcast and they dont carry it either pisses me off!!!!!!!!!!

by phlicutioner on May 19, 2009 12:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You’re missing out. HDNet is the shiz when it comes to MMA.

by DDT on May 19, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is Time Warner’s deal? Earlier in the year they were trying to hold MTV and several other high profile channels over the fire, and force them to give up more of their profits to remain in the TW line-up. And for the record, TW has the worst customer service ever!!!

by Cole on May 19, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I love HDNet, great channel. Inside MMA is great, much better than Mauro Ranallo’s MMA Show and you can’t beat all the MMA and K-1 events HDNet shows.

by Belisarius on May 19, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

AGREED! HDNet is great! I have Directv and it always has great fights showing all the time.
Leave Time Warner and get satellite. It’s better and cheaper anyways!

by TRAVO on May 19, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DirecTV can suck my balls. I had it for about a week at my apartment, then my complex told me the dish didn’t comply with apartment regulations after the installation guy swore that it did. Now DirecTV is charging me a $460 early cancellation fee.

by PW on May 19, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Why would anyone have cable when satelitte is an option. Sometimes you cant get a satelitte but anybody else should have it. More options and better channels. Cable is the worst.

by Nick Russell on May 19, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Time Warner?
They suck. just cancel crappy TW and get satallite.

Done!

by socalbiker on May 19, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this is an amazing channel. Strikeforce, MFC, Sengoku, DREAM, and K-1 for free in 1080. this is a shame.

by Bill Maher on May 19, 2009 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kenny Rice will be missed…..NOT…

by McArthur on May 19, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I cant stand that MoFo!!! Even more when he tries to be funny.

by JV on May 19, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or when he claims to have “a great idea” which ends up being to put a boxer against an MMA guy…like Bas said “isn’t that already MMA”…Kenny to this day still tries to get that point across

by McArthur on May 19, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LMFAO! Thats true. What I do now is just fast forward the DVR to the panel or Bas.

by JV on May 19, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mania, please delete my previous post as I can’t belive I typed NOT

by McArthur on May 19, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

too late… proof in print that you are a dork.

by Egads on May 19, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As far as Kenny goes; on Inside MMA he is kind of an idiotic boring host but when it comes to calling fights its a whole different story. Kenny is a broadcaster by trade and he takes it very seriously. He is the only mainstream MMA play-by-play man to actually show growth. Some of his most recent performances have shown a tremendous ability to call an exciting MMA fight.

I know you think I’m full of S but its true.

by DDT on May 19, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs