July 2012 – Time Warner pulls the plug on Redlands Chamber “LIVE”

         After twenty years on the air the live cable TV auction presented by Redlands Chamber of Commerce has come to an end. The news came from Time Warner Cable when they just announced to the Chamber that because of policy they would no longer transmit the show. It was explained that the cable company does not provide the service for any other organization in any other community in the State and therefore will no longer be providing it for the Redlands Chamber, and so after two decades the partnership is terminated.

            “It’s disappointing”. Said Kathie Thurston, Executive Director of the Chamber, “This has been an extraordinary program that showcased the local businesses, served as a fundraiser for the Chamber and kicked off the holiday shopping season here locally. It was a fun project to produce and it brought out more than 100 volunteers every year that really enjoyed working on the event. The show will be missed by the viewers who not only enjoyed the program but were able to shop at home and get some pretty amazing bargains at the same time.”

            Over the years the live auction grew from six hours on the air to 12 hours broadcast over two nights, the weekend before Thanksgiving every year. It featured 45 business sponsors, and more than 300 items were auctioned all generously provided by local businesses. From coffee makers to children’s bikes, stunning jewelry to plumbing fixtures, they were up for bid and in every case the local businesses were touted proving that whatever was on the shopping list it could be purchased inRedlands.  

            “Not only did this program meet our mission but it helped up promote the Shop Redlands Campaign year after year.” said Chamber President Paul Barich. “It’s sad to see this chapter close.”