Wyoming- Bresnan Communications has yanked Wyoming’s substantial cable television porn offerings.
According to a note accompanying this month’s Casper area cable bill, adult programming — The Hot Network, Hot Choice, Spice, Spice2 and Playboy — will no longer be available on digital cable as of Nov. 11.
Similar notices have been mailed to Bresnan subscribers throughout the state, and by the end of the year, adult pay-per-view programming will no longer be available.
In exchange for the steamy channels, Casperites will get Eternal Word Television Network, featuring programming from the Catholic Church; BYU TV, with programming from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints; and the Home Shopping Network.
“Cable companies have the right to exercise editorial control in the same way newspapers do,” said corporate spokeswoman Maureen Huff.
Adult programming is available only for digital subscribers, but basic subscribers will see the Home Shopping Network in place of the Weather Channel on Channel 17. C-Span will also take the place of the WB network on channel 15 in a programming shuffle.
The changes, with variations in local programming, have been taking place in parts of Wyoming, Utah, Montana and Colorado. In March, Bresnan bought the 314,000 subscriber service in the four-state area from AT&T Broadband. Since then, Bresnan has been upgrading systems and eliminating porn to bring programming in-line with company policies.
Bresnan serves more than 20 communities in Wyoming, including all of the cities. The company announced in September it would cut seven channels from Cheyenne’s basic service, without any reduction in price to customers.
Huff said it is a long-standing policy of Bill Bresnan, president and chief executive officer of the company, not to carry adult-specific entertainment. Bresnan OnLine service will not be affected.
She added it is “totally coincidental” that Bresnan replaced adult programming with religious shows.
According to cable industry publication CableWorld, the move will probably affect Bresnan’s bottom line, since pay-per-view porn is a significant revenue machine.
Jeff Frankenberger, general manager of Bresnan in Casper, said he does not expect his subscribers to put up a fuss about the changes.
Casper resident Dennis Rollins, however, said he does not like Bresnan imposing its morality on its subscribers.
“I think its kind of bogus to on the one hand add two religious programs and take away adult programming,” said Rollins. He added he does not use the adult services.
Said Joe Hessler, manager of the Emporium Video Exchange: “I don’t really know if that’s going to be good for business or not, I’m going to assume it would.”
He said the same people who order porn on cable probably come into the store already.