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November 6, 1998/ 17 Cheshvan 5759, Vol. 51, No. 7
Religious leaders fight for return of cable channel
Cox switch zaps Odyssey from lineup
ANNE BRADY
Associate Editor
Valley religious leaders, including Rabbi Robert Kravitz of the American Jewish Committee, are joining forces to fight Cox Communications' decision to drop the Odyssey Channel (a multi-faith, religious-oriented cable television network) in favor of the Travel Channel, which replaced Odyssey locally as of Nov. 1.
The Rev. Paul Eppinger, director of the Arizona Ecumenical Council and a Protestant minister, said that just this week he obtained an appointment with Cox Arizona's general manager, Greg Holmes, for Nov. 23, and that he plans to bring along Kravitz, plus local leaders of Catholicism, Islam and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, "to let Cox know that we're all together on this."
"All the religious groups want quality religious programming for our community," said Eppinger. "Also, we were in the process of negotiating (with Odyssey and Cox) for local religious programming. And the entertainment programs they have are of very good quality."
Eppinger said he is encouraged by the fact that Cox has changed its mind about Odyssey in other markets "when the people in the community rose up and said, 'We want Odyssey.' "
Kravitz, area director of the AJC, who has already written a letter to Holmes about Odyssey (a letter he said has yet to be answered), said Odyssey is "the only voice of moderation in interfaith, religious programming. ... There is no other channel that allows the pluralism of American democracy to be expressed religiously."
Odyssey was launched by an organization called the National Interfaith Cable Coalition and programs a mix of overtly religious programming - from worship services, to interfaith, religious discussion - and documentaries and entertainment. Jewish programming includes a Friday evening program on Shabbat candle lighting, the "Jewish Chronicles" series, and Bible-study programs.
Kravitz said the Jewish programming on Odyssey "is not just for non-Jews to learn about Judaism, but to reinforce Jewish education in our young people, and even seniors. ... We are a video-oriented society. If we can get good Jewish programming on video, on television, it is an opportunity to educate the community."
Cox spokesman Alex Horwitz admitted that there were many complaints received this week from viewers upset about losing Odyssey, but he said there also were many complaints a couple of years ago when Cox dropped the Travel Channel.
Horwitz said Cox's decision was based in part on the fact that Hallmark Entertainment and the Jim Henson Co. are becoming partners in Odyssey, and Cox believes the programming thus will move away from religious shows to more family-oriented entertainment.
"The religious leadership is thrilled with what they're seeing (on Odyssey) now, but we're looking down the road," said Horwitz. "It was decided that there was going to be an imminent change; it was based on sort-of a prediction."
Horwitz also confirmed that Holmes would be meeting with local religious leaders and would consider their concerns.
"We're always looking into programming possibilities," he said.
The Rev. Bob Bonnot, interim president and senior vice president of religious affairs at New York-based Odyssey and a Catholic priest, denied that Odyssey will move away from its successful programming mix when the investments by its new partners are completed. (Bonnot visited Phoenix twice in October to meet with religious leaders and rally support.)
Rather, Bonnot said one of the major programming changes likely to occur first is the dropping of infomercials, to be "replaced with quality programs." He added that the new partners are committed to maintaining Odyssey's local religious programming component.
"We know that in Phoenix there is considerable interest in that, but they were rebuffed by Cox."
Eppinger urged fans of Odyssey to write letters to Holmes objecting to the decision to drop the network.
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