Howard Stern's Jon Hein and The Discovery Destiation America Channel

[Gregg]

The Jon Hein program "Fast Food Mania" is set to debut June 3 on a new cable network: Discovery's "Destination America." Hein is a producer and host on the Howard Stern Sirius XM channel. So I contacted my cable provider, Time Warner, and asked, are we getting Destination America? I did it via a live chatroom on the TW site. The person who responded said he didn't know and would send me an e-mail.

Just now, I Googled "Discovery Destination America" and found out the channel is replacing Planet Green. I know my cable system had been carrying Planet Green, so I looked on my cable program guide, and sure enough, there it is, Destiation America, in place of Planet Green. I wonder when TW will get back to me to say they found this out as well?

Should I complain about the dumbing down of cable networks here? It seems Desitation America is a great title for a bad concept. Lots of low-cost reality shows that can all fit under the umbrella of Destination America since Discovery doesn't have the budget to do reality shows in foreign locations anyway. So any reality show can be Destination America.

Here are some of the titles we'll be enjoying on Destiation America: hours and hours of BBQ Pit Masters, LA Ink (from either Discovery or TLC), Destroyed in Seconds, America's Haunted Houses, The Legend of Jesse James, etc. Basically it will be some original cheap programs and cheap programs recycled from other Discovery networks.

I am looking forward to seeing Fast Food Mania. I am a Stern fan and while traveling I like trying fast food chains that aren't common to my home area: Del Taco in the West or Krystal's in the South. Hein told Stern he will travel to different locations to try regional fast food chains. He said he camped out with others as a Chick-Fil-A was opening in South Carolina. (The first 100 customers get free Chick-Fil-A for a year.) He goes to Coney Island for a Nathan's hot dog and tries other regional chains. That's of interest to me.

But I wonder how many Stern listeners will have no idea where to find Destination America on their cable line up. Or care to stay once Fast Food Mania is over.



Gregg
[email protected]

 

[rnigma1]

Was this the Jon Hein who created "Jump the Shark"?

 

[microbob]

Yes.. He sold that website for a buch of money to TV guide.

 

[carolinaradio]

I'd like the idea of an American version of the Travel Channel since so many programs on there seem to be about food or ghosts as opposed to travel. Too bad they're recycling shows like "LA Ink" and "Dirty Jobs."

I can't figure out for the life of me why there seem to be so many food-based shows on the Travel Channel these days. I realize that's an important part of travel, but it seems like with Scripps already having two food channels, that would be enough.

 

[radiojomo]

I can't figure out for the life of me why there seem to be so many food-based shows on the Travel Channel these days. I realize that's an important part of travel, but it seems like with Scripps already having two food channels, that would be enough.

Food is a universal language. Everyone not only loves eating, but now SEEING good food displayed to them through a virtual means. A show like Man vs. Food not only does very well in the ratings, but is very cheap to produce! Just get a camera crew and talk to a few restaurants who want some free publicity. It's a win-win combination. That's why Travel Channel relies on these food shows and they don't seem to be dying out yet.

For all DIRECTV subs, this channel is actually a part of a free preview this week. I believe the channel is 286, it should be unlocked to all subs so you can watch and give an opinion.

I personally think that Destination America will launch better than Planet Green or even OWN because the programming is very safe and tested, as most is rehash from the other Discovery Networks. The problem will be letting people know that this channel is there.