Cablevision Drops Fit TV

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Cablevision Systems Corp. pulled the rug from under Discovery Communications Inc.’s Fit TV, dropping the fitness channel March 31 after its carriage deal expired.

A DCI spokeswoman confirmed the 38 million-subscriber network’s removal from Cablevision systems representing 3 million New York-area subscribers.

DCI inherited its Cablevision carriage agreement for Fit TV from its $225 million purchase of The Health Network from Fox Cable Networks Group in May 2001. DCI -- which also distributes Discovery Health Channel -- renamed the service Fit TV one year later.

“Both sides decided to let the deal run its course and expire,” the spokeswoman said.

Cablevision executives could not be reached for comment at press time.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.