I decided to spend my New Years Eve morning doing the little stuff around the house: laundry, residual clean up after Christmas, playing with my dog in the snow. After a couple of hours of this, I decided to make some waffles and watch TV. I did my usual channel surfing to see if there was an episode of the Dog Whisperer, Knicks in 60, or something interesting on ESPN. Unfortunately, I came up goose egg on all three. My next stop was SNY. There had to be a SportsNite, Mets Classic, or some Big East programming. Lo and behold I had hit the golden sombrero. Not only was there “none of the above”, but I saw a huge block dedicated to paid programming, including one on foreclosure profits. My response was, huh? But then I realize what channel I was on, DirecTV 639 aka SNY. It’s bad enough that their sports programming is weak, but now fans get treated to cheesy, QVC style programming. Remember, this is the station that claims to be the destination of “New York Sports”.

My criticism of SNY is nothing new. My first post at Dugout Central involved how they dropped the ball on the minor league documentary “Playing for Peanuts. It is no secret that I find Beer Money, Street Games, and LoudMouths insulting to any decent sports fan. Not the anchors mind you, there are tons of talented on air personalities at SNY, but the concepts. Only SNY could take Chris Carlin and Adam Schien, regulate them to screaming across the table about Eric Mangini, and call that programming. They also could create, and heavily promote, a show called “Street Games” that tells me how the stickball players in the Bronx can compete with professional players. Finally, and most perplexing, is their big announcement about a partnership with the Big East, yet no substantial programming.  Why bother to spend the money in the first place?

A while back WFAN’s Mike Francesa, not one who should be throwing stones, wondered out loud what is the “mission statement of SNY?” I guess this morning answered the question. SNY is no more than a station, outside of the Mets, that brokers programming. It’s no better than the outfield fence at a minor league ballpark. If you have an idea, and some money, you can get your show on SNY. Just don’t expect to turn profit. No one is better at explaining that lost cause then our friend John Fitzgerald of Playing for Peanuts. Perhaps that is why the best programming for the network is infomercials. At least you can sell something to turn profit.

The shame of it all is that they have the ability to put out good programming. The Mets pre and post game show is solid. There is no better booth then Gary, Keith, and Ron. Pairing that trio was the best move they have made yet. Unfortunately, it’s the only good move to date.

I would be remiss if I didn’t credit the SNY media department. Their forward vision and thinking has created a network of blogs that should be the envy of all other local media. They showed vision in an area that MSG and YES are just beginning to build.

As we head towards the New Year there is hope abound for many of the local teams. I personally believe 2009 is going to be a great year here in New York. Unfortunately, I already know what not to expect when I turn on SNY: good programming.

Tags: MSG Network, New York Mets, New York Yankees, SNY, YES