Try these alternative TV channels on for size

Are you tired of watching the same old channels from day to week to month to year? Take it from this inveterate TV addict and incorrigible channel-surfer: There are some good shows and channels out there that deserve more viewers – and that could include you.

These past couple of months, we have found ourselves gravitating more and more to the Euronews channel (ISS on SkyCable). The move hasn’t been intentional on our part, we’ve just noticed that, whenever we switch to that channel, the programs we get tend to be less giddy and shallow than other networks’ offerings.

Generally American

It also helps a lot that it’s a European channel, because it provides a welcome alternative to the generally American point of view that we get on the more popular networks.

By the way, the difference in point of view can be quite significant, because Europeans tend to be more reflective compared to the more “instant” and “breaking news” proclivities of the US TV networks.

In addition, Euronews gives more time not just to the day’s or hour’s news, but to the analysis of issues and trends. It must be because, in quite a number of European countries, the TV system in place is not the US system, which is commercials-oriented. In countries like England, the TV system requires viewers to pay an annual fee, which is then used by the governing television body to fund more worthwhile and educational shows.

Among the Euronews features we like is the cable channel’s “no comment” segment, which lasts for only three or so minutes per pop, and is completely reliant on its visuals, not its soundtrack.

As a result, the events covered, like a riot or disaster, are made to “speak” for themselves, so viewers get their essence import without the subjective “coloring” that narration or newsmakers’ quoted statements can impose.

Aside from the Euronews channel, we now watch Jack TV more often because of its new enticements. Just last weekend, for instance, it screened “Saturday Night Live,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “The Simpsons,” “Glee,” “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “The Event.”

The Al Jazeera news channel provides a different perspective on the complex and contentious events in the Middle East. EWTN offers many spiritually-rewarding shows from the Roman Catholic perspective. And if you like watching travel features, Living Asia has some off-the-beaten-track treats.

Move over, Piers

For fans of local films, the Pinoy Box Office and Cinema One channels offer standout films from time to time. And even HBO sometimes has unusual attractions, like its recent festival of James Bond films.

Finally, do catch Charlie Rose’s perceptive interview show on the Bloomberg channel. He makes Piers Morgan on CNN look like a TH tyro. What’s great about the older, more experienced and wiser Mr. Rose’s interviews is their lack of agenda or viewer-drawing gimmickry and controversy. His guests trust him and relax, so they share what they really think and feel.