Hi- I don't get the cooking channel either, but if you have Comcast, you can get the Cooking channel on demand for free. You can't watch all of the programs that the Cooking channel airs, but there are 7 shows that you can watch on demand right now for free, including Bobby Deen's new program, "Not my Mama's Cooking". There is also a program "How to Drop 5 Pounds", which is produced by one of the women's magazines. It might be Good Housekeeping.
You go to on demand, and look under life/home for the cooking channel.
Hope this helps, Nancy