The WOW! Buzz » Channel

WOW! Channel Requests

Barbara Kubereit — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:27:29 +0000

I’ve written in the past about how we love feedback and love hearing what you think about the customer service experience you’ve had with our company. Did you know that we also love to hear from you about the channels you’d like to receive? Yes! We have a place where you can give us feedback about channels you’d like WOW! to offer. Click here to link to the online form to give us this feedback. We regularly receive numerous requests for adding specific channels and we do take this into consideration when making programming decisions. And although it doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll add it to our lineup, we will use your feedback to prioritize which networks we think would best meet the needs of our customer base. So, if there’s a channel or network you’re really wishing for, please let us know what it is. Sometimes wishes do come true!

Politics on Demand

Barbara Kubereit — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 21:27:46 +0000

In case you haven’t gotten your fill of political voicemails and snailmail flyers and are looking for a bigger dose of politics, you’re in luck if you’re in our Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland, or Evansville markets. Tune to Channel 1 and click My Community>Politics On Demand or for Evansville, tune to Channel 701. This special free VOD content will feature several programs on the upcoming elections and will be available through November 2nd. Go check it out if you’re someone who just can’t get enough politics.

Glee’s Disjointed Episode of Grilled Cheesus

Libby Pawlick — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 22:02:03 +0000

I am a huge Glee fan and have loved the series from the pilot episode. They had me at hello. Now, I’ll admit that some of the episodes seemed a little out there but they always flowed from one to another. But, this past week’s episode of Grilled Cheesus, just seemed out of place. How do you go from a rocking episode of Brittany Spears to Grilled Cheesus? Not seeing the connection. I did love the fact that Finn was the one who discovered Jesus on the grilled cheese sandwich and how his belief in it made his prayers come true. I am really interested to see what this week’s episode is all about.

But I am still curious to know did anyone else struggle with this past week’s episode or am I the only viewer that thought there was a disconnect?

It’s That Time of Year – Fall TV Is Back!

Libby Pawlick — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:39:53 +0000

I love this time of year and it’s not because I dislike summer. It’s because I love fall TV! The new fall TV shows and my returning favorites are like my version of a new school year. Last night I was going through my cable guide setting up my DVR recordings making sure I didn’t miss one. I monopolize every single box to make sure that I always have something to watch. And, when Glee first debuted, I DVR’ed it but later deleted them because I was running out of space and regretted once I discovered how great a show it was. I am making sure never to make that mistake again.

So, now that I have hyped up how excited I am for fall TV, you are probably dying to know what is on my watch list. Don’t lie, I know you are.

Mondays

Gossip Girl
Dancing with the Stars
Lone Star
Chuck
The Event
Little People, Big World (So sad that it is the last season!

Tuesday

The Good Wife
Life Unexpected
Glee
Running Wilde
Parenthood

Wednesday

Better with You
Modern Family
Cougar Town
Hellcats
Lie to Me
Hell’s Kitchen
South Park

Thursday

My Generation
S#*! My Dad Says
Outsourced
The Apprentice
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Friday

Outlaw

Sunday

Undercover Boss

What are you looking forward to watching this fall?

Dancing with the Stars Cast Announcement During The Bachelor Pad?

Libby Pawlick — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:25:06 +0000

I understand the whole idea of cross-promotion for networks – Get your viewership numbers up for the night by getting viewers from a highly popular show to watch for your big cast announcement. But, really ABC, why would you try to force me to watch the Bachelor Pad just so I can find out who’s the next cast of Dancing with the Stars. There has been enough speculation going around about who’s on the show as is – with an even bigger focus on reality TV stars. Didn’t Kate Gosselin teach you anything? On top of reality stars, now we are getting more politics in the mix with Sarah Palin’s daughter, Bristol on the show. Seriously? I know that no one is going to be pleased with every single cast member that is chosen but don’t stray away from what made the show popular in the first place, dancing.

I would love to hear your thoughts about the show and the potential cast for this upcoming season.

What’s all the Hoopla about Hulu?

Barbara Kubereit — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:07:12 +0000

Our Entertainment Editor, Libby, wrote an article last week about Hulu and encouraged you to go out to our new customer portal and check it out. She says it’s an easy way to watch all your favorite programs on the internet and I wonder, with my big two big TVs at home and my DVR why would I even want to do that? I’m intrigued so I thought I’d explore this topic a bit further. So off to the hulu.com site I go to see what all the Hulu hoopla’s about.

The Hulu company’s mission according to it’s website, is to “help people find and enjoy the world’s premium video content when, where and how they want it. ” Hulu, founded in 2007, offers all your favorite news, movies, sports, and series with new content added daily. TV, your way begins the Hulu product tour from the Hulu site. The first thing that comes to mind is the fast food commercial about “having it your way” which some of you might remember. “Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders won’t upset us.” There’s no fast food feast on Hulu but there is a fast content feast for sure. Next Stop: WOW!’s new home page to see how I get to the Hulu content from there.

To get to the Hulu content, go to the portal wowway.net and on the upper left hand side next to “News” click on “TV” From there you can watch thousands of videos from the WOW! homepage for free. Your WOW! homepage is now your ” one stop shop” for TONS of video content. Click on a network and page through lots of selections. Or use the search engines to find a specific topic. For those who are fans of “The Bachelorette” there’s a deleted Ali and Frank scene you might find interesting in the most popular episode window. For those of you who miss the Versus Channel you can pick it up online from here. So much to watch, so little time.

A poll of my WOW! colleagues shows that we’ve got quite a few “hulu gurus” here and as usual, I’m behind on the technology curve. Now that I’m up-to-speed though, it’s lunch time and I’m closing my door now so I can watch a Jimmy Kimmel interview with my favorite celebrity chef, Chef Ramsey, I found by searching on “Kitchen Nighmares.”

On the Radar for Summer TV

Libby Pawlick — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:18:26 +0000

As we all know, the pickings for good summertime TV are slim. For me, TV during the summertime is about relaxing after a long work day. This summer TV season I have mixed feelings. While some shows are already meeting my entertainment needs, others I just wonder how they made the cut. Let me tell you what I am watching so far.

Hell’s Kitchen (Fox) - I have been a huge fan of Chef Gordon Ramsey’s since the first season. I love how he doesn’t mess around or mince words. I find it funny that after six seasons, contestants still have issues with cooking Risotto, Scallops and some of the other staple products he is known for. Will Chef Ramsey find success with his upcoming show MasterChefs?

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) – Another show I have been a fan of since the first season is SYTYCD. I love watching dancing shows and this show is no exception. Last year it was overkill with the show not only in the summer but also the fall. However, this year, they mixed it up with a new format that added some much needed zest to the show. They brought back some of our favorite past contestants to team up with the top 11. I am really loving the show this season!

Next Food Network Star (Food Network)- The Next Food Network Star was a late addition to my summertime viewing. I started watching the show last season and was hooked from the start. These chefs are actually competing for their very own show on Food Network which has some of the biggest stars in the industry such as Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay and Paula Dean. I really like the challenges because they force the competitors to think outside of their box and really push to discover who they are as a potential food star. If you love cooking, this is a great show to watch.

Design Star (HGTV) – For all aspiring interior designers, this is the show for you. The format of the show is similar to the Next Food Network Star which puts together professional designers into an intense competition to win their own TV show on HGTV. I love watching Design Star because of the great ideas that come out of the challenges and just to see how you can create something with very little. Last year’s winner Antonio really set the bar high for this year’s contestants.

Well, there you have it, my must watch summer TV list. I would love to hear what’s on yours.

More of what’s new on cable TV this Summer

Steve Zeiden — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:00:27 +0000

In continuing my previous article, here is more information about upcoming new cable TV shows this Summer.

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Comedy Central
Channel 39 in Illinois
Channel 29 in Cleveland and Evansville
Channel 27 in Columbus

Russell Simmons Presents Stand-Up at The El-Rey – premieres July 11 @ 11 PM
Hosted by JB Smoove, Russell Simmons presents stand-up comedy from the El-Rey Theater.

New Sitcom starring Horatio Sanz and Chris Parnell – August
At this time, Comedy Central doesn’t have a title for this new sitcom about a young man who doesn’t let anything get in the way of his dreams. Even if that means losing his job and moving back in with his parents and sleeping on their couch.
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Channel 48 in Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland, Columbus

Mr. and Mrs. Hawke – premieres in July
A former Special Forces survival expert and his wife, a TV journalist, take on some of the most remote and forbidding places around the world, which challenges their survival skills and their marriage.

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Channel 44 in Illinois
Channel 26 in Michigan
Channel 47 in Cleveland
Channel 24 in Columbus
Channel 50 in Evansville

Den Brother – Premier date is to be determined by Disney Channel
This movie is about a teen hockey star, who has to swallow his pride and lead his younger sister’s Bumble Bee Troop.

Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam – Premier date is to be determined by Disney Channel
The Jonas Brothers star in this movie where friends return to Camp Rock for another summer of music and fun. But a rival camp places Camp Rock in jeopardy.

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DIY Network
Channel 300 in Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 210 in Evansville

Run My Renovation – premieres August 19 @ 10:30 PM
This is sure to be an interesting show. It’s the first home renovation show where online users are in charge of another homeowner’s space.

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Food Network
Channel 69 in Chicago City
Channel 65 in Chicagoland
Channel 42 in Michigan
Channel 38 in Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 43 in Evansville

Kid in a Candy Store – launch date in July, still to be determined by Food Network
Adam Gertler, a previous contestant on Food’s Next Food Network Star, travels to bakeries, food carts, restaurants and candy factories searching for the nation’s sweetest and most innovative treats.

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Channel 55 in Illinois
Channel 40 in Michigan
Channel 39 in Cleveland, Columbus and Evansville

Color Splash Miami – premieres July 3 @ 10:30PM
David Bromstead, winner of HGTV’s Design Star, transforms ordinary rooms using cues from architecture and the pulse of Miami.

Candice Tells All – premieres September 4 @ 8 PM
Candice Olsen shares the secrets of timeless design principles and fundamentals.

All American Handyman – premieres September 5 @ 10 PM
Competing for the title of All-American Handyman is ten non-professional handy men and women.

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Channel 30 in Illinois
Channel 27 in Michigan
Channel 26 in Cleveland
Channel 25 in Columbus
Channel 19 in Evansville

The Perfect Student – premieres in September
A spoiled and beautiful high-school student always gets what she wants. And this time, her sights are set on her math teacher.

The 19th Wife – premieres in September
This movie is based on David Ebershoff’s best-seller, The 19th Wife. It looks at the secret world of polygamy when a Fundamentalist LDS member is accused of killing her husband.
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Planet Green
Channel 307 in Illinois, Detroit, Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 206 in Evansville

No Impact Man – premieres in August
This documentary follows a family as they trade their comfortable New York lifestyle for a life that leaves as little environmental impact as possible.

Around the World in 90 Minutes – July 18 @ 9 PM
This speical telsl the story of what happens around the globe during a 90-minute voyage through a series of high def images broadcast from thousands of miles away.

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Speed
Channel 90 in Illinois (85 without a receiver)
Channel 70 in Michigan and Columbus
Channel 43 in Cleveland
Channel 33 in Evansville

Intersections – premieres July 21 @ 10 PM
Each episode of this series will take two seemingly different speed machines and compare the similarities and offers a look at the people who operate them.

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Syfy
Channel 45 in Illinois and Michigan
Channel 44 in Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 20 in Evansville

Haven – premieres July 9 @ 10PM
This series follows FBI agent Audrey Parker, played by Emily Rose, who arrives in the small town of Haven, Maine to solve the murder of a local ex-con. This series is based on Stephen King’s novella The Colorado Kid.
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TLC
Channel 63 in Chicago City
Channel 25 in Chicagoland
Channel 37 in Michigan
Channel 40 in Cleveland
Channel 42 in Columbus
Channel 41 in Evansville

Carpio Family Project - premiere date still to be determined TLC
A follow-up to the TLC speical Multitude of Multiples, this series will follow the Carpios. The Carpios are a family living in New York City who have an 8 year old and 18-month old sextuplets. Talk about dirty diapers!

Twist of Kate – premiere date still to be determined TLC
Kate Gosselin is traveling around the country to see how other people juggle work, family life and the many challenges life throws at them.

And even more Kate Gosselin is on TLC with Kate Plus 8 starting in June. These limited specials will follow Kate and her eight children on new adventures.

Homemade Millionare – premiere date still to be determined by TLC
Kelly Ripa teams up with TLC and HSN to see if she can help make women’s dreams come true. These women are aspiring entrepreneurs asking for help and advice on marketing, manufacturing and distributing their inventions.

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USA Network
Channel 29 in Chicago City
Channel 26 in Chicagoland
Channel 13 in Michigan and Cleveland
Channel 12 in Columbus
Channel 17 in Evansville

Covert Affairs – premieres in July
A young CIA trainee is thrust into the inner sanctum of the agency when she is unexpectedly promoted to field operative.

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These are just some of the new cable TV shows coming out soon. This should be enough to keep your WOW! DVR busy!

Your guide to new Spring/Summer Cable TV Shows

Steve Zeiden — Mon, 24 May 2010 13:39:45 +0000

Spring is here and Summer is around the corner. That means TV finales but also a new crop of shows to watch! There’s lots of great new programs coming out on cable TV and I want to share with you what I know is coming out by network. All times listed below are Eastern Time, and dates/times are subject to change at the network’s discretion.

Check back in mid-June as I’ll update you with premieres for later in the Summer for HGTV, Lifetime, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, USA and more.

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A&E
Channel 46 in Illinois and Michigan
Channel 45 in Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 18 in Evansville

The Glades – July 14 @ 10 PM
This is a detective drama starring Matt Passmore, who plays an intelligent yet difficult homicide detective. After being falsely accused of having an affair with his former Captain’s wife, he is exiled to a small town in Florida where everything isn’t quite as it seems.

The Squad – Launch date is still to be determined by network
This is a documentary series that follows special agents in the Tennessee Prison System as they investigate major crimes in the prison.

Growing Up Twisted – Launch date is still to be determined by network
This is a documentary series that follows Twisted Sister rock star Dee Snider and his wife as they raise their strong-willed children.
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ABC Family
Channel 38 in Chicago City and Michigan
Channel 42 in Chicagoland
Channel 41 in Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 53 in Evansville

Pretty Little Liars – June 8 @ 8 PM
This drama follows four estranged best friends who are reunited after the head of the group, the “Queen Bee” goes missing.

Huge – June 28 @ 9 PM
This drama series is based on Sasha Paley’s novel and follows teens and staff at a weight-loss camp.

Melissa & Joey – Premiere date in August – still to be determined by network
Ok all you Sabrina the Teenage Witch fans – Melissa Joan Hart is back in this comedy that also starts Joey Lawrence of Blossom fame (W’oh!)

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Animal Planet
Channel 53 in Illinois
Channel 67 in Michigan
Channel 57 in Cleveland
Channel 54 in Columbus
Channel 37 in Evansville

Secret Life of Elephants -premieres May 16 @ 8 PM
This special follows wild elephants in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve.

Last Chance Highway – premieres June 19 @ 10 PM
Kyle Peterson and Shelly Bookwalter transport thousands of abandoned and stray dogs every year to the Northeast from the South, to their new adoptive homes.

Daredevils: Human The Animal Hoarders – premieres July 14 @ 10 PM
This series is from the producers of A&E’s show Intervention and is an honest look at animal hoarders and the people and pets affected by them.

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BET
Channel 58 in Illinois and Michigan
Channel 59 in Cleveland and Columbus

The Moments – 10 Years of the BET Awards – June 14 @ 10 PM
This show will highlight moments from 10 years of BET Awards.
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Big Ten Network
Channel 87 in Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland, Columbus
Channel 73 in Evansville

The Next Level – September 9th @ 7 PM
This delves into the lives of former Big Ten athletes who’ve taken their talent to the next level.

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DIY Network
Channel 300 in Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 210 in Evansville

Renovation Rescue – premieres in June
Host Kayleen McCable saves project challenged homeowners who need help and are in over their heads with their home renvoations.

Bath Crasher – premieres July 5th @ 10PM
Matt Muenster is a licensed contractor who helps transforms bathrooms into stunning, modern and functional living spaces.

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Food Network
Channel 69 in Chicago City
Channel 65 in Chicagoland
Channel 42 in Michigan
Channel 38 in Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 43 in Evansville

Cupcake Wars – premieres June 18 @ 10 PM
Four of the country’s top cupcake bakers face off in a series of challenges testing their flavors, creativity and presentation.

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Nat Geo Wild
Channel 316 in Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland and Columbus

World’s Deadliest – premieres June 28 @ 10 PM
This show delves into the hunting abilities of a host of predators who thrive by sticking together, including humpback whales, leopard seals, lions, army ants and more.

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TNT
Channel 31 in Chicago City
Channel 27 in Chicagoland
Channel 23 in Michigan
Channel 25 in Cleveland
Channel 35 in Columbus
Channel 15 in Evansville

Memphis Best – premieres June 22 @ 10 PM
This drama features an all-star cast including Alfre Woodard, Celia Weston and Jason Lee. It follows a quirky Memphis police detective with a connection to the city, a passion for blues music and a close relationship to his mother.

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Stay tuned to The WOW! Buzz for more of what’s coming up on cable TV this summer!

Your Go-To Channel

Libby Pawlick — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:19:09 +0000

This past weekend amongst all the NCAA games, I found myself sitting at home trying to find something to watch. Does this ever happen to you? It was so miserable outside on Saturday that I decided to spend my day in front of the TV rather than go outside to be pelted with an icy rain-snow mix. As a TV junkie, I typically have plenty of stuff to watch on my three DVRs but on this particular Saturday, I had nothing. So, I went to my “go-to” channel.

You are probably wondering what is a “go-to” channel? My definition of a go-to channel is the channel that you click to when there is nothing on worth watching. You know that if you “go-to” this channel that you are bound to be able to find something to watch. For me, on Saturdays, my “go-to” channel is A&E. I typically go to A&E on Saturday mornings to watch old episodes of Flip This House. The series features different flippers in different areas turning old or run down houses into a profit. My favorite flippers are Rudy out in L.A. and Peter and Brian in Atlanta. After that ended, I was sucked into watching Billy the Exterminator which I have never seen before. It follows this family of exterminators in Louisiana. It was interesting to see how he got rid of bats in an attic and a raccoon out of a dumpster. After that, they had a marathon of Gene Simmons: Family Jewels. I am not a series follower, but I do enjoy watching the show when they are running marathons.

Now that I shared my “go-to” channel, I would love to hear some of your favorite “go-to” channels/shows.