Comcast has decided to drop Fuse Network and all its shows including
the unscripted T-Pain’s School of Business, The Hollywood Puppet Show, and their documentary Indivisible. The announcement was made by Michael Schwimmer, President and CEO of Fuse Media, in a statement to Deadline.
“Despite Comcast’s publicly-stated commitment to support diverse and independently operated networks, Comcast has elected to drop Fuse, a multicultural-focused television network, on December 31, after more than a decade of carriage. This decision is both surprising and troubling considering that Fuse met Comcast’s financial demands and no other requirements were ever communicated to us,” said Schwimmer in a statement given to Deadline. “A commitment to diversity is an enduring value, not a politically expedient card for Comcast to play until such time as consent decrees or business objectives no longer require it. Comcast’s behavior leading to its decision to drop Fuse reveals an agenda inconsistent with their public statements, giving further credence to the merit of on-going DOJ oversight.”
Schwimmer adds, “We have been dedicated from the very beginning to providing opportunities for diverse creative talent to entertain and inform diverse communities. By removing our network from its consumer offering, Comcast is silencing yet another independent media company, in this case one that is devoted to providing a platform for inclusive voices and authentic representation at a uniquely important time in our society.”
Juliette Smith says
So very sick and tired of cable/satellite providers dropping channels left-and-right, all the while not bothering to lower prices to reflect the loss of channels!! Very few of them do, however actually replace a channel (with one that no one wants, has heard of, or even cares about). They keep raising their prices without including worthwhile networks/affiliates; and have the audacity to charge extra for “sub-services” within their networks, i.e. CBS AllAccess, FX+. It’s no wonder so many people have turned to streaming services. It is truly sickening to be forced to pay for what used to be free with a purchase of a basic tv (no flat screen/hd/4K), a roof antenna (which all buildings and houses had) and electricity!!!!