Why don't theatrical blockbusters have big network premieres on TV anymore?

[TMC]

You know like when a popular film would first broadcast on NBC about three years later. These days, most end up on basic cable much like any other movie.

[gidgetgrape]

My guess is that more people have access to current movies than before so a recent movie being on TV isn't a big thing. Video stores are pretty dead, but you can buy or rent DVDs online and stream through your phone, TV, Roku, etc. There's also a YouTube and all the pirated stuff.

[MrCleveland]

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

My guess is that more people have access to current movies than before so a recent movie being on TV isn't a big thing. Video stores are pretty dead, but you can buy or rent DVDs online and stream through your phone, TV, Roku, etc. There's also a YouTube and all the pirated stuff.

That...and most movies on broadcast television are edited. A Scorsese film is heavily edited for its strong language.

[opus]

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

That...and most movies on broadcast television are edited. A Scorsese film is heavily edited for its strong language.

I'll agree with this. Why, if at all possible to avoid, would someone want to watch an edited movie chock full of commercials?

[Torgo]

Originally Posted by opus

I'll agree with this. Why, if at all possible to avoid, would someone want to watch an edited movie chock full of commercials?

Yep, why watch a movie chopped up on a broadcast network when you can watch it uncut on a premium channel where they won't edit for time or content.

[Regulus]

Originally Posted by Torgo

Yep, why watch a movie chopped up on a broadcast network when you can watch it uncut on a premium channel where they won't edit for time or content.

Or watch it at any time you want to on home video (That's Blu-Ray, DVD & Old-Fashoned VHS for those of you in Rio Linda!).


Just for the heck of it, does anyone out there son still watch something on Betamax?

For that manner., does any of my sitcoms onliners live in Rio Linda?

[king of comedy]

I rather watch it the way it was meant to be. Uncut and unedited on cable.

[tlc38tlc38]

I know it's a bit off topic but I miss "The Wizard of Oz" airing around Thanksgiving on a major network. It's lost its specialness now that it airs all the time on cable channels.

[jimpickens]

Way too many options.

[treky]

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

I know it's a bit off topic but I miss "The Wizard of Oz" airing around Thanksgiving on a major network. It's lost its specialness now that it airs all the time on cable channels.

I know, same with GONE WITH THE WIND.

[treky]

Originally Posted by Torgo

Yep, why watch a movie chopped up on a broadcast network when you can watch it uncut on a premium channel where they won't edit for time or content.

and if it's post early 50s, in "non wide-screen" (whatever you call that-I think the term is "cropped")

[king of comedy]

Does anybody remember when ABC aired the James Bond movies? They had to keep cutting and editing. The other 2 big networks stopped airing theatrical blockbusters in the mid 90s.

[jimpickens]

I do man was I glad when we got cable.

[gidgetgrape]

Originally Posted by treky

I know, same with GONE WITH THE WIND.

TCM didn't air GWTW for Thanksgiving this year. I was disappointed, but I can always watch it on DVD. I remember TCM airing it at least once earlier in the year, but I wonder if they skipped it because of the Confederate Flag controversy earlier this year.

[factsoflife]

Originally Posted by TMC

You know like when a popular film would first broadcast on NBC about three years later. These days, most end up on basic cable much like any other movie.

For a few reasons, mostly because TV broadcast networks don't really air movies anymore. Plus, people aren't going to wait three months for a movie to be on broadcast TV with numerous edits for language and time when they can just stream it online unedited much sooner than a network could air it.

Economically broadcast networks stopped airing theatrical films because people were no longer watching them this way. The availability of films through the internet changed things.