What's with the preference of reruns over new programming?

[AKA]

One thing I've noticed on these forums over the years is that there's a disproportionate preference of reruns over new programming, which makes me a little sad. I like the classics as much as the next guy, but there's a prevailing notion here that once a cable network stops being rerun-heavy and starts getting into original programming, it's no longer worth watching. Because of this belief, many of you are missing out on some of the best television ever made.

So I ask again, why do so many of you stick with the old stuff? Is it a yearning for what's comfortable, is it just not being able to connect with this generation of scripted shows (for whatever reason), or is it something else entirely?

[yankeesrj12]

I agree that there are a ton of terrific programs on cable. Some of my favorite television series (American Horror Story, Breaking Bad, and The Walking Dead) are on cable networks that didn't have original programming just a few years ago.

Cable networks can only air repeat programming of series for so long. Original programming brings in more revenue than repeats. Why else do people think so many networks are trying to get rid of repeats?

[Mr. Television]

My problem isn't with the original cable series as I watch quite a bit of it. My problem is with the rest of the programs on their channels. USA has some good original series but they rerun other show's to death. That's just one example. AMC does have The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad which are good but their movies suck. It's not the same channel that I used to watch all the time and sometimes half the night when they had their preservation festival. That's my big gripe. I can go on and on. They can still show classic tv and keep their originals but they won't do that so I only watch the series that I like and ignore the rest of the channel which is most of the time.

[Spark Of Spirit]

I'm more of a fan of family comedies and multi-camera sitcoms so there isn't a whole lot that interests me.

It doesn't mean I don't watch new shows, just that there's more older shows in the genres to appeal to me than nowadays. Especially those of which I haven't seen, so they're almost like new shows to me.

[Ant-Lox]

With an old, proven rerun you know what you are getting.

I personally can't get into most new shows, because they are a little too brash, and abrasive. Every line has to be funny in a show like Two and A Half Men, or Two Broke Girls.

The 1 comedy I do like is Modern Family, because it's a bit slower paced, and more relaxed.

[Gertie1999]

Originally Posted by Spark Of Spirit

I'm more of a fan of family comedies and multi-camera sitcoms so there isn't a whole lot that interests me.

It doesn't mean I don't watch new shows, just that there's more older shows in the genres to appeal to me than nowadays. Especially those of which I haven't seen, so they're almost like new shows to me.

I am the exact same way. The shows I like have been off the air for a while. I am a very picky person when it comes to what I watch or listen to.

I personally don't like modern TV due to the fact that it is overloaded with reality programming.

[Neutronman67]

Most People who grew up in the 70's 80's and 90's have an obsession with old nostalgia sitcoms for some odd reason those show's have better entertaining story plots and acting skills then shows in the 2000's now, i cant find anything thats funny nowadays, 13 years ago back in 2000 their was always lots of shows for people to choose to watch on TV but now cant find one show thats worth watching on a channel lol

[LUNCH]

I just don't like modern television I think the older shows are far superior in every way,but of course that's my opinion. And it's not only the older regular shows like comedies,dramas and so on that are superior,but every type of older show like game shows,cartoons,talk shows etc.--The problem with the cable channels is not so much the fact they show some original programming,it's when they get into original programmming they let the rest of the channel go down the drain.Anyhow, that's why it's great that channels like Antenna/Me-TV have stepped into the picture,so people who like the older shows/classics no longer have to rely on cable channels to watch them on a TV station.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by LUNCH

I just don't like modern television I think the older shows are far superior in every way,but of course that's my opinion. And it's not only the older regular shows like comedies,dramas and so on that are superior,but every type of older show like game shows,cartoons,talk shows etc.--The problem with the cable channels is not so much the fact they show some original programming,it's when they get into original programmming they let the rest of the channel go down the drain.Anyhow, that's why it's great that channels like Antenna/Me-TV have stepped into the picture,so people who like the older shows/classics no longer have to rely on cable channels to watch them on a TV station.

Exactly. It's not the original series that I have a problem with. It's that they let the rest of the channel go down the drain.

[MickeyMac]

The answer to this question is simple Wit the exception of Mad Men all of today's TV shows are crap.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brad

One thing I've noticed on these forums over the years is that there's a disproportionate preference of reruns over new programming, which makes me a little sad. I like the classics as much as the next guy, but there's a prevailing notion here that once a cable network stops being rerun-heavy and starts getting into original programming, it's no longer worth watching. Because of this belief, many of you are missing out on some of the best television ever made.

So I ask again, why do so many of you stick with the old stuff? Is it a yearning for what's comfortable, is it just not being able to connect with this generation of scripted shows (for whatever reason), or is it something else entirely?

I like both, new and old but TV today is not as good so most of us tend to lean on the old days lol

[LUNCH]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Exactly. It's not the original series that I have a problem with. It's that they let the rest of the channel go down the drain.

These channels could (and should) have easily stuck to their original formats that first put them on the map,and just added some original programming to the mix.But instead they decided to take the low road and that's one major reason why cable TV has become a sea of mostly useless channels.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by LUNCH

These channels could (and should) have easily stuck to their original formats that put first them on the map,and just added some original programming to the mix.But instead they decided to take the low road and that's why cable TV has become a sea of mostly useless channels.

Yes so many of them are useless

Weatherscan

Bloom

Disney Jr

OWN

Aspire

[mets82]

I think its because of the quality and respect of the channel. In other words, when you watch ME-TV or Antenna TV, you know what your getting. Classic shows in full, no reality tv, no end credit crunch etc. TV Land has a show that I'm going to try to watch which is Forever Young. I think the problem people, me being one of them, is that TV Land uses there network as a vehicle for there reality tv. It gets to the point that there reality or orginial programming takes presedence over the classic tv shows. I mean how could enjoy classic programming when you know that for a lot of these channels its a chore just to put them on the air?

[icecream]

New isn't better when it's filled with bloated reality shows. And sitcoms are a lot less funny than they used to be, the only great one currently airing is The Middle. Too many shows try to go for the raunchiness factor, a wholesome show like The Waltons wouldn't be greenlit today.