The TRAVEL CHANNEL Sucks Now
 

When the Travel Channel first started up it was wonderful and had many good shows about travel, including Rick Steves and others. There was always something on about Europe and it was a really good source for information. However, it has now been transformed into a piece of crap, never having anything on of any value. Seems all it shows anymore is stuff like "The Haunted Castles of Yaya Land", "How Hoover Dam Was Built" and so on. Never any true travel shows anymore. The name is completely misleading now since it has nothing on that deals with travel like it used to. A complete waste of time now. I predict that it will be done away with soon at least as it is known. <BR> <BR>Any other comments about this channel?

Oh please, <BR> <BR>I think it is more informative now...not just oh look at this place! I like background on places that I go. And if you consider that idiot dork Rick Steves informative, then there is no help for you my friend.

Dear he is, your name says it all. I agree with Sad Bob the channel is very poor now. I don't know when you watch it but in the evenings there is never any show on that relates to travel. I guess if you are interested in haunted hooches of hong kong then it is right up your alley. And Rick Steves wasn't the only show they had that was worth while. Would you care to show us an example of what useful shows they have on now? It is CRAP CRAP CRAP over and over and over. IT SUCKS BIG TIME

I AGREE IT SUCKS AND SHOULD BE TURNED OFF!!!!!

I agree with the above posters. I never watch it anymore because the quality of programming has gone downhill. There is seldom anything on that relates to travel. I flipped over there the other night to see what was on and it was some stupid show about building a bridge in Arizona! Wow what has that got to do with travel? What next, "Traveling Pets That Attacked Customs Officials"? "Worlds Wildest Vacation Videos" - oh yeah they have that already what a bunch of dung that is.

Agreed the TC sucks now never watch it anymore since it has been taken over by the Discovery Channel group. No longer good for travel information at all.

Since moving my cable options had changed, and upon arrival in my new area I was deeply disappointed that the Travel Channel was not available. After hearing how much it's changed, I don't feel so bad about not having access to it anymore. Although right before moving I noticed some unwelcome changes in the channel's daily line-up. That's a shame. It used to be such a great channel. I looked forward to so many of the shows. Do they still have Lonely Planet at least?

Agree with Sad Bob, <BR>I really enjoyed watching the Lonely Planet, esp. with justine. <BR>To Don't, <BR>I haven't seen Lonely Planet in a long time! <BR>

I, too, agree that the Travel Channel is bad, bad, bad these days. I used to regularly tape shows that proved enormously helpful in planning trips here and abroad. That's now a thing of the past!

I totally agree it SUCKS! I thought both Lonely Planet and Rick Steves were supposed to have new shows coming out soon (this was about a year ago) and if you even find a lonely planet, its always a re-run. Haven't seen any R. Steves shows in awhile, except on my local PBS. I only see "Best Places To Kiss", or "Best Spas" or some such nonsense on the TC now. Honestly, I think I get more info on E channel's "Wild On..." which isn't saying much as those shows are so superficial and stupid (although the one about Tokyo was pretty interesting). Cathy

The most proactive thing you can do is to contact the parent (Discover) email or write them, and let THEM know how you feel!! Write or email your local cable provider! Contact the companies that market on that channel, Believe me they pay attention to these things. If enough viewers complain and their ratings/subscriptions go down, change will happen. I work in entertainment industry, and bottom line, YOU the consumer have the power here!! Get out there and make your complaints known!!!

I'm glad someone else noticed how poor the programming is. The TC should be called "Discovery Chanel 2" or "Animal Planet 2". I contacted Discovery last fall when they first started a promotion of shows during prime time that had nothing to do with TC. It is time to do so again. <BR>

I haven't seen much of the Travel Channel myself, mainly I guess because I don't sit down to watch TV a lot. <BR> <BR>They do have their own website and it seems like Thyra's advice is sound: let them know how you feel. The website is at travelchannel.com/Travel Talk/Forums and there you can voice your opinions on "Travel Channel Programs". <BR> <BR>Just write, baby!

Well, I just went to the site for the Travel Channel, and Lonely Planet is listed as being on at 4 P.M <BR>As far as whether it is reruns, can't answer that. <BR>I looked at the site Lee mentioned, and I do not think anything will work if you post there.It seems as if there have been a few complaints, but no responses (do the powers that be even read those?) <BR>But I followed to: Search, which took me to the Discovery site, and one can contact them directly from there. <BR> <BR>I sent an e-mail, with my complaint, and told them if they want a few more thoughts on their Travel Channel, to come to this site (Fodor), and read this thread. <BR> <BR>But, if anyone wants to do so, <BR>go to www.discovery.com/about/contact. <BR>Send them your thoughts, maybe it will help? <BR>nancy

Well, I hope the TC is tuning into this thread, because it has gone downhill in the past year or so. One of my greatest annoyances is that so many "hosts" have almost overly exaggerated Australian accents. Drives me up the wall and I switch channels in a hurry.

This is an interesting thread. I enjoy the travel channel (still), but it has changed a lot. I especially enjoyed the Dice Man and The Tourist shows, and I know they were not top quality programming, but I enjoyed them all the same. <BR> <BR>I also enjoy the Wild On series on E. <BR> <BR>I catch the Rick Steves shows on PBS on Friday nights sometimes. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Hi Anybody up for a Haunted Lighthouse or Haunted Castle marathon? You can switch between Discovery Channel and Travel channel and keep yourself entertained all night watch the same two programs, Throw in a Worlds wackiest vacation video or5 some such travesty of travel and the night is all set. How about a week of Las Vegas shows? I would take the old Lonely Planet, Steve Reeves or even the old old vacation outlet show with Perillo tours to the new Travel channel. <BR>alan

Hi Just wanted to clarify my slip on the previous it is RICK Steves not Steve Reeves, I guess the Discovery channel show of Great Actors who have played Greek gods has been etched in my brain. <BR>alan

Alan: LOL, Steve Reeves rules as Hercules! Not Travel Channel however! Bring back travelogues! Judy ;-)

I completely agree that the Travel Channel has gone downhill. If Lonely Planet is still there, I haven't caught it in a long time, and Rick Steves was pulled a long time ago. It has grown way too gimicky. How many haunted shows and amazing travel videos can you stand? If I could create my own travel channel, it would contain Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, shows on travel tips, photography tips, and other things that actually make me want to travel and help me do it.

I totally agree!!!! I just took the time to send them my comments and suggestions concerning their new crappy programming! Come on everyone... take a minute to write... if enough negative feed back is received maybe we will see a change back to some of our favorite programs or other new ones (that could actually be classified as a travel program)that could soon become our new favorites.

I'm glad there are others out there who feel how I am. Lately all of the shows seem to be about haunted places, how the millionaires travel, vacation videos, and "Travel Channel Secrets." I hardly ever see Lonely Planet on there anymore or Amazing Destinations. Maybe we should all start sending them emails.

Better yet, here is a link to their forum! Let's all speak our minds at their forum where our frustrations with the channel may be seen by the right eyes. <BR>http://travel.discovery.com/trvtalk/forums/forums.html

Although there was a good show last night about the Florida Keys that I enjoyed, it has been a VERY long time Since I've sat down to watch the Travel Channel. I used to tape quite a few of their shows, so that I would not miss a single detail. I believe it was Amazing Destinations that I enjoyed the most. Was always just enough info accompanied by some amazing visuals, just enough to make you want to know more, by going there yourself! Not any more...

Sigh. Here I was sad because Comcast added new stations to our lineup recently---but only to include a golf channel and a bunch of "2s." We used to enjoy Travel Channel at night when we were at the beach! Now I won't wish we had it anymore....

Just made a point of watching the Lonely Planet on the Travel Channel. <BR>It is only on at 4p.m. now. <BR>****It is still as good as ever!!!**** <BR>So, if you miss it too, write to the Discovery Channel, they have an E-mail address on their site. <BR>

Let's convince the Travel Channel to film (and finance) some of our fellow Fodorites'trips!!! Can you imagine "Elvira's Haggis-in-a-Tube Adventures"? "How to travel nude and still not get pick-pocketed by gypsy children...everything you need to know but were afraid to ask" (beginner's guide of course). "The Tacky Tourist's Fashion Show" <BR> <BR>Anyone else up for any witty future programming that TC can use?

I am picturing LP's Ian doing a show on the different ways to eat Haggis and with a grimace on his face as he tries each "delicious" recipe.

Dan, <BR>Like when he had to eat the sheep eyeball! (in Mongolia was it?)

In my humble opinion the Travel Channel has totally lost track of its purpose. When it first came on the air I was elated. We lost the channel for a year or so and I was so excited when it came back, however, now with whatever new format they have decided to go with I don't even bother to tune it anymore. Someone needs to give this show a complete overhaul and return to its original format instead of visiting these obscure places I'm sure very few people are even interested in.

Perhaps a reality-based show called "What The Hell Is This?" in which ordinary people tour the world and pledge to eat every scrap of food offered to them. Bonus cash for being able to guess the ingredients.

Cindy: I love the concept! LOL Judy

There is a Gresham's Law of TV: cheap programming forces out expensive programming. Quality? Forget it. As to the Travel Channel, we can be grateful that it has not sunk to the low levels of other channels, such as watching people shoot pool or bowl. Question: how many ice skating shows can there be?

I called them today -- they seemed interested in the comments generated by this thread. Here's hoping for some response!

Hi Nancy I'm glad that you called them. What is the phone number? I e-mailed them at the beginning of the week and doubt if I will ever hear from them. The e-mail probably went to some mysterious place in some God forsaken island that's haunted by dead millionaires and models. <BR>alan <BR> <BR>

I TOTALLY agree that TC has gone downhill. I used to watch it ALL the time. There was always something interesting on, but I hardly EVER turn it on now. I keep checking for the programs, but never find anything new or exciting to make me want to travel somewhere. Just use my own imagination and former travel experience to inspire me!

I went on the Discovery Chanel web site and pulled off their number from there.

To WOW, that was probable the London Bridge that was brough over from England that they were building. (It did travel) <BR>

Art <BR>nope not the London bridge, some bridge that was built in the 30s for flood control etc. It was a show that belonged on the Discovery Channel not the Travel Channel. I still like the "Mad Traveling Lap Dogs That Break Into The Cockpit And Rip The Throat Out Of The Pilot While Accosting The First Class Passengers - Amazing Videos" show best.

You elitists kill me. We finally got the Travel Channel here and it's wonderful. I could watch all day (and usually do).