Trio Gone?

[tvfan0101]

Saw this over at rec.arts.tv:

from the hollywood reporter

The Vine: NBC Uni plots cable move

Although the fate of Trio has yet to be determined, NBC Universal
brass are still hatching ideas for new cable/satellite channels.
Sources indicate that the cable division is considering creating a
network devoted to horror-themed programming as its first in-house
launch since expanding its cable portfolio through the Vivendi
Universal Entertainment buyout. With USA Network and Sci Fi Channel in
the fold, NBC Uni has the extra leverage to drive significant
distribution. NBC Uni declined comment. A horror channel would be a
natural move for NBC Uni given the library of creepy film classics in
Universal's coffin, including marquee heavies Dracula, Frankenstein's
monster -- which USA is reviving for a limited series this year -- and
Wolfman. The channel also would nicely complement Sci Fi, which has
abandoned the horror genre in recent years for a more mainstream focus
but could serve as the ideal venue for cross-promotion. The channel is
said to be one of several ideas NBC Uni is tossing around; another
natural application of the Universal library might come in the
detective genre to capitalize on the likes of venerable Universal
gumshoe dramas a la "The Rockford Files," "Columbo," "Magnum, P.I.,"
"Kojak" and, more recently, "Monk." Universal operates such a
crime-centric channel in Latin America. Meanwhile, Trio twists in the
wind as NBC Uni devises a strategy to boost its distribution. Without
a long-term plan in place, Trio could lose its slot to a new channel
concept as early as next month, sources said. (Andrew Wallenstein)

I do not get Trio, but I have read a lot about it and I really wish I did get it. I had not heard that it was in trouble but it does not surprise me. I have yet to find anyone who gets it, and despite the exposure some of their ideas have gotten, without an audience no cable network can survive.

I am attempting to find more articles about this...

EDIT: Found one, also from rec.arts.tv:

from usa today

NBC, DirecTV reach deal on fees, high-definition shows
By David Lieberman

NEW YORK — NBC Universal (GE) and DirecTV (DTV) avoided a bruising
fight about rising programming costs Wednesday with a broad deal that
provides more high-definition programming to the No. 1 satellite
company but may doom pop culture channel Trio.

They wouldn't disclose precise terms. But an executive familiar with
the deal says that DirecTV agreed to pay higher fees to carry NBC's
entertainment channels — including USA Network, Sci-Fi Channel, Bravo
and Telemundo — through 2009.

[...]

NBC and DirecTV each made concessions.

NBC seems to have thrown in the towel on low-rated Trio, which DirecTV
reportedly wanted to drop, by leaving it out. That's significant:
DirecTV accounts for about 67% of the 18 million homes the channel
reaches.

"We're evaluating our options for Trio," says NBC Universal Cable
President David Zaslav. He says NBC still might return to seek a
carriage deal after it decides what to do with the channel. Campbell
wouldn't discuss Trio.

[Dean Winchester]

I'm gonna miss Trio

they introduced me to Pink Lady, so I'll hold them dear for the rest of my life But I have that on DVD now so it doesn't matter.

[tvfan0101]

According to a deal announced recently, DirecTV will continue to carry loads of channels owned by NBC Universal, including NBC, MSNBC, USA and Bravo. But not Trio, which at year’s end will vanish into the ether for DirecTV subscribers.

And maybe for everybody else. Trio’s loss of DirecTV distribution will instantly dwarf by two-thirds its potential audience, an already scant 20 million viewers — which could spell its doom.

This would be a premature end for a channel that has forged a whimsically curatorial approach to TV and pop culture, and in the process won favor with such programming as “Brilliant, But Cancelled,” which highlights short-lived but noteworthy series from the past.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5898874/

Curses.

[Brian Damage]

I have DirectTV that is horrible news.

[tvfan0101]

I do not have DirecTV and I agree. I have never had the chance to view Trio and I really wish I could. It looks like I will never get the chance.