IMF Fan Protests Going Nowhere When It Comes To Ovation
We’re used to hearing from fans when search engines or other sources lead them here for news about the objects of their passion, or, in some cases, about companies causing them problems. Club Penguin and Stardolls are just a couple of examples. But we were totally surprised by the reaction to a relatively innocuous post about Ovation TV acquiring Universal Music’s International Music Feed network to gain a position on DISH. The network, which launched in 2005, focused on the best of global music. So far we’re at 72 comments and counting from passionate viewers who turned on their favorite channel one day and found something far removed. (A personal favorite: “IMF IMF IMF IMF IMF IMF IMF IMF IMF IMF GONE! OMG.WTF!”)
Sorry to say but we have a little more bad news for you: Some commenters thought they found a solution because IMF is still on FiOS and Joost. It’s also on AT&T (NYSE: T) U-Verse, some cable operators, some mobile operators in the U.S. and Europe but that’s temporary. I’m told it will stay on some lineups as late as March 31 but after that IMF really will be off the air as a network. (Not sure yet what will happen to the programming library.)
Andy Schuon, who led IMF for Universal, told me by email he truly believes that there is a market for a global pop music channel. I am glad to hear you’re getting lots of feedback. I’m very proud of the brand we created, and it is nice to hear that IMF connected with people. That’s the highest compliment for the kind of work that I do, you know.”
As for Ovation, no hint of a reprieve. The reply from spokesman Mark Kern: “At this time we have no further comment on the acquisition or our programming plans beyond the information in the news release.” (In a later email, he said, as per the release, under the purchase agreement, IMF will cease its programming on other distributors by the end of the first quarter of 2008.)
One aspect that stands out for me: in this DIY age, people across what seems like a wide swath became fans of a new, programmed music experience. Sometimes you just want to flip the switch and listen or watch.
With IMF, we were introduced to music from all around the world that most of us never knew about. For some, we found our favorite artists this way. If I attempted a DYI, all I would have are artists I already now. IMF had people searching the world for new artists. IMF was also the only true music television. All of the other "music" channels have idiotic programming. The only time real music is played on them is between the hours of 2-7 am. Also, those channels show the same 15 videos over, and over, and over, and over again. If I see one more Fergie, Britney Spears, Weyclef Jean, Daughtry, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, or James Blunt video, I'll throw up. I just pray that I do it onto an Ovation TV executive.
IMF is dead… Now its "Ovation TV" or some retarded shit. We should all band together and harass the living HELL outta the new owners, tell them to bring our J-Rock videos back! Without IMF, where will I see MUCC and Dir en grey? (Well, other than Youtube, which is grainy as hell and the size of a postage stamp).
HHauser@ovationtv . com, DCuffaro@ovationtv . com, myart@ovationtv . com, info@ovationtv . com – 1.800.682.8466, (212) 672.4696, (212) 672-4697
REPOST AND GET OTHERS TO EMAIL AND CALL!
I've already sent them a letter explaining why I won't be viewing their station, and also contacted DISH Network and asked that it be removed from my program package. I think if enough people complained to DISH it might hurt their bottom line.
The ironic thing is from what I've seen on my viewer guide Ovation has hours and hours of nothing but paid for TV advertisements each day. I guess we see where their money is coming from. Did they honestly think they were going to get Dish's 5 million plus subscribers thru bait and switch? Because everyone I know who used to get IMF won't watch Ovation just because.
This is ridiculous. I flipped to IMF this morning and found some crappy Swedish puppets on a stage, and to my surprise, it's Ovation. I guess some people in Santa Monica just don't get it. Why should I waste my time looking at galleries and plays on TV? If I wanted that, I'd go to a Thomas Kinkade gallery or Broadway. I am definitely sending these people a letter and getting this channel off of my package, so amen to that London.
So sad. So, so sad. I was actually in the midst of watching IMF when the video was cut short and a few sentences came up on the bottom of the screen saying that Ovation had 'merged' with IMF. I thought it was a joke! I loved IMF for the variety and of course, the non-stop music. I agree with Evan….it was the only true music channel. It will really be missed. At least I can still hear Madsen on Myspace.
Where is my favourite channel IMF. It was truly a window into the world thru music. I loved european, indian, austrailian music on IMF…now we have nothing but boring shows on ovation…
WE WANT YOU BACK IMF
gosh. i loved IMF. non-stop music, amazing artists you could find nowhere else, and no stupid reality tv shows.
it was the chanel for real music lovers.
but all thats gone now, and i doubt we'll ever get it back.
and wtf is this ovation crap?
i watched 5 minuites of it and had to turn it off because i was loosing too many brain cells..
goddamned corperate assholes.
RIP IMF, YOU WILL BE MISSED.
I was away from my Dish Network and Atlanta for a month. When I got back to my horror Cumulus Radio had killed of 99x, one of the things that made life in Atlanta be brighter. I powered up my flatscreen and Dishnetwork receiver and to my horror I found NO IMF!!! One of the reasons I had the package I did with DNW and I had resisted offers from DirectTV and ComCast was I WANTED IMF! Dish Network should complain to Ovation that this dumb move will cost it customers! I also am considering to get an XM radio for my HHR so I can get some decent radio in Atlanta! Now I have lost two of my favorite sources of music and I am both angry and sad!
I am so sad to see this station gone. IMF was the only station that you could watch or just listen to and I agree it was for true music lovers of all kinds. It is sad to see that it is gone and we have no say about it. I would pay extra to get it back and take some of the other garbage off!
I cannot believe IMF is gone! I just got Dish a year ago and I remember that my favorite channel from the beginning was IMF! Constant music from unique and amazing artists I had never even heard of was just….BRILLIANT! What idiot decided it would be a good idea to get rid of it and replace it with 'Ovation TV'????!! I admit, I have tried watching ovation and I did like this one show on Photography, however the rest is stupid and doesn't interest me at all. I say bring IMF back, and if thats not possible then atleast make half of the day Ovation and the other half IMF like The-N and Noggin do!! That would be more reasonable then completely cutting off IMF :(
BRING IT BACK SOON PLEASE!!!!!