Martha drops off TV dial in Canada
Tony Lofaro
CanWest News Service
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Canadian cable networks have opted not to renew Martha Stewart Living and From Martha's Kitchen.
It's just business Martha, not personal. Martha Stewart's two TV shows have been yanked from Canadian cable networks, leaving the embattled domestic guru without an outlet here for her popular programs.
Martha Stewart Living and From Martha's Kitchen ended their run on The Life Network, The Food Network and HGTV (Home and Garden TV) at the end of last year and were not renewed for 2004.
The decision was strictly a programming move and had nothing to do with her upcoming trial, said a spokeswoman for Alliance-Atlantis Broadcasting.
"We had a lot of programs in our inventory that we needed a space for, so when the contract came to an end we decided to put forward some of our top-rated Canadian shows in its place," Deborah Wilson said.
"It's unfortunate timing, no doubt. If it had happened at another time it would have gone completely unnoticed."
Jury selection began in New York for Stewart's trial on charges of securities fraud and obstruction of justice.
Stewart, 62, is accused of lying to investigators about her sale of shares in the pharmaceutical firm, ImClone. Her trial is expected to begin Monday.
Tony Lofaro
CanWest News Service
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Canadian cable networks have opted not to renew Martha Stewart Living and From Martha's Kitchen.
It's just business Martha, not personal. Martha Stewart's two TV shows have been yanked from Canadian cable networks, leaving the embattled domestic guru without an outlet here for her popular programs.
Martha Stewart Living and From Martha's Kitchen ended their run on The Life Network, The Food Network and HGTV (Home and Garden TV) at the end of last year and were not renewed for 2004.
The decision was strictly a programming move and had nothing to do with her upcoming trial, said a spokeswoman for Alliance-Atlantis Broadcasting.
"We had a lot of programs in our inventory that we needed a space for, so when the contract came to an end we decided to put forward some of our top-rated Canadian shows in its place," Deborah Wilson said.
"It's unfortunate timing, no doubt. If it had happened at another time it would have gone completely unnoticed."
Jury selection began in New York for Stewart's trial on charges of securities fraud and obstruction of justice.
Stewart, 62, is accused of lying to investigators about her sale of shares in the pharmaceutical firm, ImClone. Her trial is expected to begin Monday.
