Note from the moderator:

349th Heavy Weapons Crew requested that her message be deleted. She did not have permission to share the information publicly.

By Melissa Roberts (Medic) on Unrecorded Date:

I've sent 7 letters to Linda Carr so far. Also, what about sending a barrage of Combat! postcards to her? I just sent her one. They're right there on the Home Page, and it surely will make her take notice. I thanked them for airing it and encouraged them to continue. Please be polite.
Thanks in advance for helping out those of us who only get Combat! on Encore Action. Medic

By 349HWC on Unrecorded Date:

Great work Melissa! Thank you for joining the crusade! Here's what I sent in a telegram to Encore earlier this month.

10:56:38PST 060800

N. LIONSTORM
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP

ENCORE MEDIA GROUP
CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE
5445 D-T-C PARKWAY SUITE 600
ENGLEWOOD CO 80111

URGENT ENCORE RE-ACQUIRE RIGHTS TO "COMBAT"! FANS ACROSS U.S. INSIST YOU CONTINUE "COMBAT" PAST JUNE 2000!

NANCY LIONSTORM
(xxx) xxx-xxxx

By 349HWC on Unrecorded Date:

The following letter was sent to Encore by a COMBAT! fan, who gave me permission to publish his letter anonymously.

~ 349Heavy Weapons Crew
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ms. Linda Carr
Customer Relations Representative
Encore Media Group
5445 DTC Parkway, Suite 600
Englewood, CO 80111

June 21, 2000


Dear Ms. Carr:

Thanks for returning my phone call last week regarding the status of Combat! on Encore Action. Although I understand the contract is expiring and that there are no plans to renew it, I would hope that a few points may induce Encore’s programming department to reconsider and bring Combat back to its lineup.

1. As a subscriber to A T & T Cable, Encore Action is currently being added to my cable lineup. I don’t know if the same situation applies to other areas of the country, but since Encore Action is included on the digital tier, it is probably being added to cable systems incrementally as it is here. This means that many fans of shows like Combat! such as myself just recently or soon would have had the opportunity to see these shows on Encore Action.

2. Even to the casual viewer, a show like Combat or Robin Hood which previously aired on Action, would provide an interesting break from the cycle of movies that run repeatedly throughout the Encore network.

3. Nowhere else on cable or on over the air transmission do viewers have the opportunity to see shows like this uncut and commercial free, with the superior quality digital signal.

4. Realizing that the reasons for dropping Combat may be financial, please consider that as new subscribers of Encore Action are added, one of your biggest attractions is a unique programming element such as Combat.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please let me know if anything develops.

Tom X
Street Address
City, State, Zip
(xxx) xxx-xxxx

By 349HWC on Unrecorded Date:

Tom, I want to thank you publicly for allowing me to share your very well written letter with other COMBAT! fans. If everyone pitches in as you have, we can win the battle to save COMBAT!

~ 349 Heavy Weapons Crew

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

The following letter was sent to Encore by COMBAT! fan, Hazelnut, who gave me permission to publish her June 16th letter here.

~ 349 Heavy Weapons Crew
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To the Encore Network,

I ordered your Action channel through Direct TV about four years ago so that I could watch one of my favorite television series', Combat, through your station. Since then I have rarely missed an episode of this wonderful tribute to the fighting soldier. I also enjoyed the Combat marathons with all of the actors' memories of producing the show. Sorry to say, now that your channel will no longer be airing Combat after the month of June, I will have no reason to keep on paying for your services. Please keep my concerns ,and the wishes of other fans as well, when you remove Combat from your lineup. I hope that the Encore Action channel will decided to bring this great show back as soon as possible. Thank you for your time.

A Concerned Fan,

Rose xxxxx Vinton, Ohio

By Debbie S. on Unrecorded Date:

June 23, 2000

To Combat fans,
After reading your letters that The Encore Action channel was not going to continue airing the Combat series I placed a call to Linda Carr as one letter said to do. After speaking with Linda I was very disappointed . She was upset to hear that her phone number and e-mail address was one the internet and she said she does not feel that all the phone calls and letters can make a difference in keeping Combat on the air. She said that she really has no input in the matter it is the channels decision. I did tell her and I am planning to write a letter to Encore customer service stating that the only reason I pay for the Encore action package is because it is the only channel in my area that you can watch Combat and there would be no reason for me to continue to pay for the encore channel and I would be canceling the service.

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

When folks write to Encore about COMBAT! they should just address the letters to the Customer Relations Department. I was mistaken in saying that the letters should be to addressed specifically to any individual. Remember fans, that there are no guarantees that our letter writing campaign will have the effect we want. We can only take our best shot at it and hope for the best.

~ 349th Heavy Weapons Crew

By Dana Eugene Creasy (Deecee322) on Unrecorded Date:

To Nancy, Lyne and all the other wonderful people here on the Combat! bulletin boards:

As most of you know, I am a network executive based in New York. For about three years, however, I worked for Request Television, the former pay-per-view network, which was also based in Denver (Englewood is only a post office address, their offices are in the Denver Technological Center). Request and Encore were both owned by the same company, TCI, now AT&T Broadband Services. Encore is technically owned now by Liberty Media, which, while separately managed and with separate stock, is still owned by AT&T primarily. Programming decisions are made based on contracts and availability. Generally, when an off-network series is purchases, it is for a stipulated number of runs, usually three showings of each episode over the life of the contract. Sometimes, certain exceptions, such as the 24-hour marathons, are included in the contract as "freebies", other times they count towards the allowable showings. Many times, when the contract is up, the program is "encumbered", meaning someone else has either secured the exclusive rights or negotiations are underway. Many of you know that Combat airs periodically on the Nostalgia/Good Times channel, as well as in Canada. As Good Times is a much smaller operation, they probably were unable to afford exclusivity in their contract and the series owner did not offer it, or perhaps Encore was not interested, when they acquired the rights. In any case, the most important thing to keep in mind is that, unfortunately, on the major network level, very few people's complaints or comments ever really get listened to. While with an NBC property, I saw the customer service staff dwindle from five to one, with most phone calls only going to voicemail and no callbacks ever being made. Again, most CSRs are generally paid minimum wage, or barely above that, and are NOT in any decision making or decision influencing capacity. I've seen several conflicting posts about talking to Linda Carr at Encore. While I do not know her, I do know that our CSRs are, unfortunately, instructed to tell the customers whatever they want to hear just to get them off the phone, so they can take the next call. I'm not saying that's what is happening here, but it is a possibility. A former colleague of mine from Request is a vice president at Encore now, in the programming area, and I will contact her to find out what I can about the possibility of re-acquiring the rights. Also, please remember that while cable is more flexible than broadcast networks, programming schedules are, of necessity (public relations, printing schedules, advertising and promotion schedules, interstitial programming (read: commercials and promos), all require that a schedule be in place a minimum of 18 months to 24 months in advance. When TV Land made their change in schedule last year, it was over two years in the making, between rights negotiations, and all the other requirements. Unfortunately, it is not a snap decision to say, "Oh, everyone loves Combat!, so we'll just keep airing it." A replacement has already been negotiated and paid for, promos cut, advertising pieces printed (which are provided free of charge to every cable and satellite company in the country carrying their channel for bill stuffers... remember those annoying pieces of paper you get every month?), etc.

I'll do what I can to find out what the possibilities are, but another thing to keep in mind is that it is very possible that the series is encumbered due to the talk about making a big screen picture. Usually, when such talk proceeds to a deal memo (letter agreement preliminary to formal contracts), a series is withdrawn from circulation. That happened with the McHales Navy movie a few years back. So, it could be GOOD news, also.

I'll keep everyone posted as soon as I hear something. It's as important to me as you fine people, even though I have to practically watch it in the basement as my fiancee HATES it! (How did I EVER hook up with such a person??!! LOL)

By Melissa Roberts (Medic) on Unrecorded Date:

Thanks everyone for their letters, email, and phone calls. I was wondering if a pitch to the History Channel wouldn't be a bad idea. They air quite a lot of WWII programming, not to mention "Black Sheep Squadron". They could air the two shows back to back. Commercial free and uncut on Encore is the best, but, Hey!-better than nothing. TVLand has been mentioned, but they have a bad habit of editing (and they have lousy editors). Their address is:
History Channel
235 E. 45th St.
New York, NY 10017
(212)210-1400
www.historychannel.com

Thanks! Medic

By hazelnut on Unrecorded Date:

Thanks for all of your information, Dana. Your comments always mean so much. Hmmmm...Did any of you guys ever stop to think of the possibility that Dana could be right? What if Combat is temporarily off the air due to a movie in the making? (That changes things a little)Maybe that is just wishful thinking on my part, but it is a possibility. Good luck to you and your fiance', Dana. (Even if she does hate Combat. Shessh! Don't think I could handle that. grin)
Hazelnut

By Elle Scarvalas on Unrecorded Date:

Thanks for all the infomation everyone! I have one Question. Should we continue to write to encore to SAVE COMBAT ?

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

Thank goodness we have fans like you, Dana! Anything you can learn and share with us about this matter will be appreciated by us all. Now I'm gonna pass on a message, with permission, from COMBAT! fan, Ivy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi there,

Up here in Canada, History TV took the show off the air for about 9 months then brought it back (thank goodness)! Maybe if they get a lot a positive letters saying how much people enjoy the show they will air it again.

Ivy (Sharon H.), who knows what it's like to be combatless.

By Lyne Tremblay (Lyne) on Unrecorded Date:

Thank you, Dana. You have given every Combat! fan something to hope for. It would be great indeed if the show's removal from the schedule meant that talk about a movie production is going on. I agree with HWC and Ivy, people should not stop writing to the network if they enjoy the show and want it to continue. Please keep all of the fans informed, Dana. And don't give up hope that, maybe, someday your fiancée will join the ranks of diehard Combat! fans.

PFC

By Melissa Roberts (Medic) on Unrecorded Date:

I just received a letter back from Encore Media Group. Here's what they had to say: "Starz Encore Group will discontinue the Combat! series as of June 30, 2000 since our licensing agreement will terminate at that time. At this time, we have no plans to reaquire rights for the series." So. Now what? I emailed the History Channel. Maybe they'll be interested. I'll post the response when I get one. Medic

By Sam Spritzer (Teknogeek9) on Unrecorded Date:

It seems that most of you have encore and I really feel bad for you. My cable system subscribes to the GoodLife TV network which shows COMBAT! as part of its American Soldier series. The website is www.goodtv.com

Here is a rundown on the June lineup.....

Take a look back at the defining historical event of the 20th Century as GoodLife TV Network salutes the American soldiers of World War II.


GARRISON'S GORILLAS
This action series focused on the motley group of commandos recruited from stateside prisons to use their special skills against the Germans in World War II.
AIRS:
Sat @ 9:00pm
Sun @ 8:00pm
Wed @ 7:00pm & 11:00pm


6/3, 6/4 The Great Crime Wave
Guest Stars: Ray Walston, Henry Beckman, Cecile Ozorio, Oscar Beregi, Sonny Klein
Posing as thugs, the Gorillas pull a series of robberies to disguise their mission behind Nazi lines.

6/7, 6/10, 6/11 Friendly Enemies
Guest Stars: Harold Gould, Curt Lowerns, Pan Renella, Benito Prezia, Hagen Smith
The Gorillas have 24 hours to rescue American prisoners held in an Italian town marked for a massive allied air strike.

6/14, 6/17, 6/18 Run From Death
Guest Stars: Julie Harris, Timothy Scott, Marcel Hillaire, Patrick Michenaud
Two-time Emmy winner Julie Harris guests as a novice nun trying to smuggle four orphans out of France.

6/21, 6/24 The Magnificent Forger
Guest Stars: Larry Storch
Comedian Larry Storch guests in a dramatic role as a bi-spectacled, terrified little forger.

6/28 The Death Sentence
Guest Stars: William Stevens
A former company commander brings court martial charges against Lt. Garrison for cowardice under fire.



COMBAT
Follow the exploits of a U.S. Army platoon fighting it's way across war torn Europe during World War II, following D-Day.
AIRS:
Sat @ 10:00pm
Sun @ 9:00pm
Mon And Fri @ 7:00pm & 11:00pm

6/2 The Letter
Guest Stars: Randy Boone
Sgt. Saunders' protection of an inexperienced young infantryman endanger an important mission.

6/3, 6/4 The Gauntlet
Sgt. Saunders escapes after being captured by Germans, and is pursued by killer dogs.

6/5 Conflict
Exhaustion And lack of sleep lead to a breakdown of morale in Sgt. Saunders' squad.

6/9 A Child's Game
A group of teenage Germans defend a strategic farmhouse that Sgt. Saunders and his men must capture.

6/10, 6/11 Entombed
Guest Stars: Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Hanley's squad and pursuing Germans are trapped in a cave when falling debris blocks the entrance and must work together to get out.

6/12 The Brothers
Guest Stars: Sal Mineo, Fernando Lamas
Two French brothers both help and jeopardize reconnaissance mission in conflict between brotherly love and love of country.

6/16 The Furlough
Guest Stars: Carol Lawrence
Sgt. Saunders delivers the bequest of a dying soldier to the young lady in charge of an English orphanage.

6/17, 6/18 The Bankroll
Guest Stars: James Stacey
A new addition to the squad turns out to be both a welcher and a shirker.

6/19 Cry For Help
Guest Stars: Robert Duvall
Lt. Hanley's mission is threatened by having to take along a German prisoner.

6/23 Ollie Joe
Guest Stars: Robert Walker, Claude Akins
The jigsaw-puzzle character of a young man who thinks of himself as GI to the core causes Saunders' squad anxious moments.

6/24 The Masquers
Guest Stars: Nick Adams
German infiltrators dressed as GIs and British soldiers sow confusion and suspicion behind allied lines.

6/26 Gadjo
Guest Stars: Ricardo Montalban
A band of gypsies harasses Sgt. Saunders' squad when he refuses to turn over a captured German major.

6/30 Head Count
Guest Stars: Ron Soble
Sgt. Saunders' squad escorting German prisoners to the rear, finds the trip unexpectedly dangerous.




TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH
This was one wartime action-adventure series in which the top brass did not stay behind the lines. It was the story of the US Eighth Air Force, stationed near London during World War II.
AIRS:
Sat @ 11:00pm
Sun @ 10:00pm
Tue & Thurs @ 7:00pm & 11:00pm

6/1 The Cry Of Fallen Birds
Guest Stars: Dana Wynter, Lloyd Bochner
In seeking to remove a manor house that blocks lengthening a new runway, Savage runs first into a fight, then into an accident and finally into love with a girl who's imprisoned herself there.

6/3, 6/4 An Act Of War
Guest Stars: Michael Davis, Al Ruscio, Norman Fell, Jay Novello
Shot down behind enemy lines, Savage parachutes safely but falls into the hands of collaborationists.

6/6 V For Vendetta
Guest Stars: Gary Lockwood, Lin Mccarthy, Paul Newlan
Savage's command is challenged by an envious superior and an unstable young major and it remains for him to prove, one more time, his fundamental ability to lead men.

6/8 P.O.W. Part One
Guest Stars: Peter Haskell, Alf Kjellin, Jim Shane, James Farentino, John Van Dreelan
Savage and some of his men are shot down over Germany and though he is given preferential treatment, he does what he must do -- he formulates and executes a successful escape.

6/10, 6/11 Those Who Are About To Die
Guest Stars: Glenn Corbett, Sally Kellerman, Tom Sharret
Fog closes in, playing havoc with Savage and his men who are anxious to get a dangerous mission out of their way.

6/13 P.O.W. Part Two
Guest Stars: Peter Haskell, Alf Kjellin, Jim Shane, James Farentino, John Van Dreelan
Savage and some of his men are shot down over Germany and though he is given preferential treatment, he does what he must do -- he formulates and executes a successful escape.

6/15 The Hero
Guest Stars: James Whitmore, John Zaremba, William Cort
WWI flying ace becomes Savage's problem as he tries to get back into flying, then ruins his chances by grandstanding and stunting, only to end by killing himself while dive-bombing an enemy target.

6/17, 6/18 In Search Of My Enemy
Guest Stars: Steve Forrest, Barbara Shelly, Roy Thinnes, John Milford, Don Penny
General Savage becomes disturbed when he finds his former fiancée, Ann, back in his life. She is now married to a pilot recently assigned to his group.

6/20 The Lonliest Place In The World
Guest Stars: Claudine Longet, Paul Carr, Leo Gordon, Robert Colbert, William Arvin
Paul Burke, as Colonel Joe Gallagher, takes over the command of the 918th bombardment group when Brigadier General Frank Savage is officially listed as missing in action.

6/22 R/X For A Sick Bird
Guest Stars: Gia Scala, J.D. Cannon, Tige Andrews, Don Quine, James Brolin
A team of Nazi saboteurs, who have infiltrated bomber command, are uncovered when they attempt to thwart Gallagher's assignment to transport a resistance leader behind enemy lines.

6/24 The Albatross
Guest Stars: Robert Drivas, Janine Gray, Martin West, Paul Lukather, Dale Hogan
Savage persuades a young lieutenant to volunteer for one more mission -- and it results in disfiguring injuries for the flier

6/27 Then Came The Mighty Hunter
Guest Stars: Tom Skerritt, Beau Bridges, Carol Booth, Jane Wilde, William Christopher
Sergeant Sandy Komansky takes a personal interest in a new gunner who disrupts the squadron when it is discovered the boy is only fifteen.

6/29 The Idolater
Guest Stars: Gary Lockwood, Robert Hogan, Paul Mantee, Robert Dornan
A headstrong young pilot who wants to climb over Gallagher as commander of the 918th, is finally brought into line and proves himself a responsible bomber pilot in a heroic but fatal bombing run.




FROM THE ARCHIVES
Take a look back at memorable moments with original and historical documentaries from the US National Archives.
AIRS:
Sat @ 8:00pm
Sun @11:00pm


6/3, 6/4 Korean War, Part 2
Compiled From 3 Short Documentaries: "The Korea Story," "One Who Came Back ," "United Nations Aids Korea In The Fight Against Aggression."

6/10, 6/11 Battles Of The Pacific Part One: Okinawa Bulletin
World War Ii Documentary , 1945. Technicolor. This Docunmentary Follows The U.S. 1st And 6th Marine Divisions During The Capture Of The Japanese Held Island Of Okinawa.

6/17, 6/18 Battles Of The Pacific Part Two: Report From The Aleutians
1943 WWII Documentary Coving The American Forces Living Under Tough Conditions In The Arctic Island From Which They Raid Japanese Bases. Directed By John Huston And Narrated By Walter Huston. Shot In Technicolor.

6/24 Korean War, Part 1
Short films used by the US Department Of Defense to help bolster war bond sales during the Korean War.

6/25 Korean War, Part 3
Compiled From 3 Short Documentaries: "One Year In Korea," "The Crime Of Korea," "United Nations Forces Escape Trap."

6/25 Korean War, Part 4
Compiled From 3 Short Documentaries: "Battle For Time," "Turning The Tide, " "United Nations Offensive."

6/25 Korean War, Part 5
From The Documentary, "A Motion Picture History Of The Korean War."

6/25 Korean War, Part 2A
From The Documentary, "One Who Came Back ."

Sam

By Medic on Unrecorded Date:

Thanks Sam! I checked out that website. They have alot of great old shows and movies. I love "Ozzie and Harriet". I emailed DirectTV and asked them to add it. According to goodtv.com, they are in the process of arranging things with DirectTV, and Primestar. So, maybe those of us who get Combat! only on Encore may soon be able to receive GoodLife TV! Thanks again for the information. Don't you just love the internet?
Medic

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

Melissa, Encore said the same thing back when they took COMBAT! off the air in 1997. Six months or so later COMBAT! was back on the air. So I hope folks will keep on writing!

~349th Heavy Weapons Crew

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

With permission, here's another fan who's joined the FIGHT TO SAVE COMBAT!.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
June 26, 2000

I have been a COMBAT fan for as long as I can remember. I just want to let everyone know how much I enjoy the combat sight. I hook into it everyday, to catch up, on my all time favorite show and guys. I can't think of a better way to spend some of my free time.

I am sending you a copy of the letter I wrote and mailed today to Encore . I hope with the effort of everyone Encore will decide to keep the show running.

Customer Relations Representive
Encore Media Group
5445 D-T-C Parkway, suite 600
Englewood, CO 80111

June 26, 2000

As a subscriber to MediaOne Cable, the Encore Action Channel has recently (May 15th, 2000) been added to my lineup through the digital tier. I can not tell you how THRILLED I was. For two years now I have repeatly called my cable company putting in requests to get such channels as Encore Action Channel just so I could see one of my favorite television shows COMBAT! (Since May I have not missed one episode). I even drove fellow employees crazy who were under a different cable service getting them to tape an episode or two for me because they got the Goodlife Channel.

Growing up in a home with a father who served in France during World War II Tuesday nights from 7:30 to 8:30 became a special time for us. For the last month an a half I have again enjoyed and hour or two every night with my own boys watching COMBAT! My 9 year old is now a big FAN. So you can imagine my disappointment when I learned that Encore would not be airing COMBAT after June 30th because it has decided not to renew its contract for airing rights. After June 30th I am planning on canceling the Encore Channel Package because there would be no reason for me to continue to pay for the channel. The only reason that I waited for and paid for Encore was because you aired COMBAT. I hope after reading this letter that the Encore Action Channel will take into consideration their number of customers that are very big fans of this show, and from other letters I have read, are as greatly disappointed as I am that the show will no longer be airing and decide to renew their contract for airing rights and keep COMBAT as part of their daily lineup.

Thank you very much for your time and can you please let me know if there are any changes.

Sincerly,
Deb XXXXXX

By Debbie Tarlow (Deb) on Unrecorded Date:

Hi,
I just got off the phone with Linda Carr from Encore and she told me to date she has received 40 letters regarding combat! She said the last time they took it off the letters continued to come in for 6 months. She said she'll continue to pass letters into contract managers.
bye Debbie T.

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

What is wonderful news indeed, Debbie! Thank you for sharing this important information with us.

Forty letters make a great beginning, fellow and sister fans. Remember that “United We Can Win”. So “Don’t Give Up the Ship!” “It’s Our War” and no one is going to fight it for us. So everyone, “Let’s Dish it Out!”

On the home front you can "Do More Than Your Share!" Encourage everyone you know to write to Encore. If you know folk who would write, but don’t consider themselves good writers, then “Give a Helping Hand” with letter composition. I keep Encore’s address, along with paper, envelope and a pen with me wherever I go so that I can take advantage of every opportunity to encourage my neighbors to write.

Remember, we don’t have to “Buy War Bonds!” We only need to “Let Them Have It” with our letters in this FIGHT TO SAVE COMBAT!

~ 349th Heavy Weapons Crew

* Source of all quotations: authentic WWII posters.

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

Today, June 30, 2000, the last COMBAT! episode airred on the Encore Action channel. For COMBAT! fans across the nation it is,

---

Quote:

"A DATE THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY!" - President Franklin D. Roosevelt's December 7, 1941 speech on the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor.

---

By Aires (Aires) on Unrecorded Date:

I have written many letters to Linda Carr and

quite frankly, I don't believe she is the right

person to contact. There must be a representative

much higher in position than Linda Carr. I have

tried to get this information with no success.

Does anyone know of someone else we can write to

and contact?

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

I know how it might seem Aires, but don't get discouraged. Address you letter to:

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

Back again to publish, with permission, another COMBAT! fan letter. This one contains some very helpful information, so I hope you will all read it.

---

Quote:

I was heavily involved in the campaign to bring back The Magnificent Seven when it was canceled after one season. We were successful in getting an additional season of new episodes. A couple of suggestions, if I may, regarding attempts to keep Combat on TV.

Letters that are actually written on paper and delivered by the postman are more effective than e-mail messages, although e-mail is better than nothing. Make sure you include your (real) name and address. Always be positive and polite, because you are a reflection of the product you are endorsing, i.e., the show and the actors.

If you have recent tapes and know which sponsors aired their commercials during COMBAT!, write to them as well, with a comment on how much you like the product and how much you appreciate them sponsoring the show. I got all kinds of free stuff that way too!

I don't live in the US, so I'm not aware of all the possibilities for networks that could air the show, but don't limit yourself to the one that has been showing it. Approach others as well. When The Magnificent Seven was canceled the second time, we were successful in getting another network (TNN) to air the episodes that had already run on CBS, and now there is a possibility that TNN might look into making some new episodes. Explore all possibilities as far as networks are concerned.

When you write, make sure you mention that your family and friends watched the show as well. If possible, get some of your friends to write. If you have to, write the letters for them, and just get them to sign. The important thing is to let the network know there are a lot of people who like the show and want to continue watching it.

Mention the annual conventions, how many people attend, etc. Any "extra curricular" stuff is good to emphasize the show is still popular and still has a lot of fans.

Sorry to go on so long, I kind of feel like a bit of an expert on this particular topic now, after two years of writing to networks and sponsors, and fighting to get a show I liked a chance to be seen.

BTW: On the Canadian History Channel, where COMBAT! is airing here, they have one commercial for the show that says "back by popular demand", so obviously there are a lot of folks who still care about this show. I sent them a letter thanking them and I actually got a response.

- Trish (in email dated June 30, 2000)

---

By debbie on Unrecorded Date:

Hi,
I wrote a letter to Cindy Walker at Paramount asking if COMBAT! was going to be released on videos or if it was being considered for release. Today Cindy called me and said that COMBAT! " was not being considered for release right now and that Paramount has already hammered out the shows to be released over the next year and a half ". So, I think maybe it is a good idea to start writing letters to other channels to see if they might pick the show up. Maybe if we choose a different channel weekly and we all send in letters to that same channel the same week it will catch their attention better if they get a lot of letters in at once. Just a thought.

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

With his permission, here's a message from COMBAT! fan, Jack Wright. It's a great idea.

---

Quote:

Ya know, what the Encore folks need to do is start a "War Movies" channel. I know it would be AT LEAST as big of a success as their Western channel and it would give them the perfect place to give us our COMBAT! series back to us. - Jack Wright

---

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

More good advice from Trish who has effectively led fan campaigns.

---

Quote:

I just thought of something that I should have mentioned before. When you are writing to Encore, DO NOT put "Combat" on the envelope. It will be treated as fan mail and will be dealt with differently (maybe sent to the basement never to be seen again). You want your letter to go to the programming department, or to a specific name in that department, if you know who it is. - Trish

---

By Melissa Roberts (Medic) on Unrecorded Date:

I agree with Debbie that we should write to other stations besides Encore. For every letter I write to Encore, I send two more. One to TVLand, and one to History Channel(USA). I wrote to History channel and suggested that Combat! would make a good companion to "Black Sheep Squadron", which airs on Saturdays. Please continue to write to Encore, as many letters as you can (I just mailed out 3 more yesterday), but any channel is better than nothing. I also like Jack's idea. A War Movie channel would be great. Heaven knows there are enough war pictures and series to fill a channel. Keep those letters coming! Medic

By Dana Eugene Creasy (Deecee322) on Unrecorded Date:

As I mentioned in previous messages, from the inside of the industry, no one pays a heck of a lot of attention to letters and phone calls sent to Customer Service Reps... they just exist to keep people happy and give viewers someone to blow off a little steam at now and again.

Unfortunately, I haven't had much success in getting in touch with my former colleague from Request Television, but here are two people whom you should address personal appeals to. Keep in mind, form letters get thrown in the trash, as does anything written in crayon (some people aren't allowed sharp instruments) or threatening, using obscene language or obviously written by an illiterate. Sorry, but those are the rules of the game. A short, to the point, succint letter has a much better chance of being read, and acted upon, than a long, multiple page, rambling discourse about why Combat! should be brought back. In particular, programming execs pay attention to people who mention how Action (or whatever channel) is one of their favorites, mentioning some other programming you enjoy, compliment them on the job they are doing overall (EXCEPT, of course, for taking Combat! off...) and in general, making nice. Bitch letters go into the circular file, trust me... while I can't say I have never done it, I am probably the exception to the rule. Programmers rely on Nielsen numbers, other research statistics, etc. much more than calls to CSRs. But, if you write a very nice, short letter asking these people to kindly "look into securing the distribution rights again", it will at least be read by someone.

Try writing to:

David Salinger
Vice President of Program Planning and Scheduling
and
Nancy Silverstone
Director of Program Acquisitions

The Encore Media Group, LLC
5445 DTC Parkway
Suite 600
Englewood, CO 80111

Most definitely keep it to one page and send a separate (including a NON-IDENTICAL letter) to each of these two people. When they compare letters, they DON'T want to see two identical (or more, if people get together and circulate a "suggested" form letter) letters with different addresses on them. They are just as quickly disposed of. By the way, if you are a business person, or a professional (i.e. doctor, lawyer, etc.) by all means, use your letterhead, if permissable... it gets the letters more attention!

I'll keep you posted on my other efforts, as well as checking on whether the rights have been encumbered for any other reason. I doubt it, as GoodTimes (formerly, Nostalgia TV) is carrying Combat, but their carriage is dismal... few subscribers, other than C-Band satellite. While DISH recently added them, don't look for DirecTV to do so anytime in the future, as they are "spending" their bandwidth on local television network channels (my business), where they get more bang for the buck.

Regarding the comments of Jack Wright, about starting a War Movies Channel, The Military Channel was funded and began initial operations nearly seven years ago. It finally launched to a minimal number of cable systems three years ago and ceased operations last year. There is just not enough bandwidth available on most cable systems, let alone satellite, for such a narrow niche channel. I thought it a good idea and their programming lineup was solid. They even imported an old M60A3 (what I used to work on) tank to the Western Cable Show last year to try and get cable operators to stop by their booth and give them a look-see, but to no avail. They could not raise sufficient capital to remain on the air and, although they promised to return when shutting down last year, they have since began liquidating all assets to pay creditors. Sorry, Jack, but we're either ahead of or behind the times. A themed night, perhaps, but apparently not a complete channel. Even Liberty Media, owner of Encore Networks, doesn't envision another multiplexed channel (like the Westerns Channel), as they are too hard to sell. Keep in mind, there are currently 13 HBO channels available, including analog and digital feeds, east and west coast versions. Most people who have cable only see one or two.

Best to the group and all my friends, Nancy, Lyne and the rest! And yes, slowly, Wendy is coming around... although she STILL hates the theme music (what a wench!) LOL

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

Thank you, Dana, for your diligence in pursuing this information for all of us. My husband and I have already begun to draft our letters. It's wonderful to have someone of your stature and experience take an active part in COMBAT! fandom. Hope to see you at the Recon!

~ 349th Heavy Weapons Crew

By Jude on Unrecorded Date:

My family wrote three separate letters to Linda Carr at encore and we each received the same form letter from her. I wrote to the Public Relations Department asking for an update, you guessed it, in return I received the same form letter from Linda. I wrote to David Salinger and to Nancy Silverstone and I once again received the same form letter from Linda, but it started out by stating that Nancy Silverstone (and the second letter stated David Salinger) had forwarded it to her. What kind of luck are the rest of you having?

By Nancy LionStorm (349hwc) on Unrecorded Date:

My guess is that Encore staffers automatically send out those form letters and that we won't be told anything individually.

I know this can feel frustrating, but I'm taking the attitude that as long as they finally bring COMBAT! back on the air, personalized responses aren't necessary.

Thanks Jude, for keeping up THE FIGHT TO SAVE COMBAT!

~ 349th Heavy Weapons Crew

By Kevin on Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 08:13 am:

It appears Combat! is fading away from GoodLifeTV
just as Rat Patrol did a few months ago. I am only 11 years old and Combat! is my favorite show of all time. Does anyone know if it comes and goes or do we have to fight to keep it on the air? I won't know what to do after dinner. Good thing my Dad has made me a few tapes!

Kevin

By MICHELE LARGEY (Camoufanne) (216.20.102.98) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 08:24 pm:

Hi everyone - I'm Camoufanne, new to this part of the site. I don't get Encore, but have been savoring COMBAT! on the GoodLife Tv network, 144 episodes on tape with 9 to go, plus some extras to use as a lending libary. My heart went out to 11-year-old Kevin, who already knows at such a young age what a wonderful contribution COMBAT! has made to our collective American experience.
I've been in contact with GoodLife by phone,
mail & e-mail a number of times. Programming told me that they were deluged with calls from COMBAT! fans when they relegated its airing to the 3:00 a.m. time slot. I guess this caused them to keep it on, at least in my area in Massachusetts, once a week (Wednesdays) at 9 pm & midnight. This is good for me because I get home from work at 11:30 pm & I like to be there to tape commercial-free.
Let's keep making our voices heard on behalf of
our beloved COMBAT! After all, that's one of the freedoms the real WWII combatants, (my dad & all
my uncles) were fighting for.
Bless you all! Michele Largey (Camoufanne)