BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- We reported on June 13 that Comcast would move MSNBC and four other channels from its standard tier to a digital tier, and now that it's happened the conspiracy theorists are coming out of the woodwork. Comcast is trying to stifle the liberal news channel! It's a conspiracy to derail the election!

I don't like Comcast's decision either -- it was convenient to have all the news channels in a cluster -- but if lack of access to one cable TV channel is going to have an impact on the presidential election, then this country is in far worse shape than I thought.

To recap: In many areas Comcast moved not only MSNBC (now on Channel 183) but also Oxygen (misogynists!), TruTV (discrimination against people who like crime shows!), Hallmark (ageists!) and even the Comcast-owned, youth-skewing video-game channel G4 (reverse ageists!). In addition, TV Guide Network and EWTN remain on basic cable, but now require a digital converter or CableCARD to be seen. (For channel numbers specific to your neighborhood, visit ComcastDigitalWorld.com or call 1-800-COMCAST. Channels carried in the Post-Gazette's TV Week were updated in the Channel Conversion chart on Page 3 in the July 13 issue.)

Why did Comcast pick these channels to move? A Comcast spokesman said: "These decisions have been made based on a combination of contractual rights and customer feedback."

When I asked MSNBC executives if they thought there was an ideological motive to the decision, the statement the network issued made no reference to that suggestion: "Comcast is the sole decision maker on where to carry MSNBC on its cable systems. NBC Universal is unhappy and disappointed with Comcast's recent decision to migrate MSNBC to its digi-starter package, requiring customers to get a digital box, and we've made Comcast aware of our sentiments. ... Rest assured that we want MSNBC to reach the widest number of viewers possible."

Here's the reality: Comcast made a business decision. We may not like it, but that's all it was. In the TV world, nothing speaks louder than the almighty dollar.

What specifically motivated the decision? There's no way to know if either company will offer a more specific response. But I have two guesses.

Perhaps MSNBC would not agree to terms favorable to Comcast to remain on the standard tier. Or maybe it's Comcast's effort to induce more customers to sign up for digital. Last year Comcast pulled the same switch in Portland, Ore., which, like Pittsburgh, is another Democrat-leaning city.

I sympathize with viewers who are disappointed, but no more so than I did with fans of Sci Fi Channel who were upset when Comcast moved that network from analog to digital in the city and some suburbs in 2003.

If you don't want to move to Comcast's digital tier, investigate pricing for a satellite company (DirecTV or DISH Network) or Verizon FiOS TV if it's available where you live. Comcast made a business decision -- you can, too.

Comcast adds HD

Of course, there's a flip side to Comcast's moving MSNBC and the other channels. It frees up more space for high-definition channels, which many customers have been clamoring to get.

In addition to the six new HD channels Comcast announced last month, it has also added three more: ABC Family (Channel 230 on traditional Comcast systems; Channel 716 on former Adelphia systems), Disney Channel (Channel 229, Channel 715) and The Science Channel (Channel 232, Channel 718).

Channel surfing

After just three airings, ABC Family has renewed "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" for a second season of 13 episodes. ... "Greek" returns for a new season Aug. 26. ... "Lincoln Heights" is back with more episodes Sept. 16. ... Disney Channel's third "Cheetah Girls" movie, filmed in India, will premiere Aug. 22. ... E! has renewed "Keeping up with the Kardashians" for a third season.

Tuned In Journal

Today I'll be attending CBS's press tour and writing about the network's shows throughout the day at post-gazette.com/tv. Past reports that didn't appear in print are also available online in Tuned In Journal.

Tuned In Podcast

In this week's Tuned In podcast, I talk comedy with Larry Wilmore ("The Daily Show"), Bill Engvall and Nicole Sullivan ("The King of Queens"). Subscribe or listen at post-gazette.com/podcast.

TV Q&A

This week's TV Q&A responds to questions about "The First 48," FX shows and Wendy Bell. Read it online at post-gazette.com/tv.