Are there too many networks? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Schmo · 07-29-2019, 07:26 PM

I’m old enough to remember when ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS were the only networks to watch. Then in 1979 we got a “box” we could use to access the upstart networks Nickelodeon and WTCG (soon to become WTBS) and maybe a couple of others. Now with hundreds of “networks”, it seems like there’s too much chaff and not enough wheat. Maybe it will get to the point where each of us will have his or her own private network.

mandyrenee · 07-29-2019, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmo

I’m old enough to remember when ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS were the only networks to watch. Then in 1979 we got a “box” we could use to access the upstart networks Nickelodeon and WTCG (soon to become WTBS) and maybe a couple of others. Now with hundreds of “networks”, it seems like there’s too much chaff and not enough wheat. Maybe it will get to the point where each of us will have his or here own private network.

I guess you could have your own private network if you have a huge dvd collection.

RetroGuy2000 · 07-29-2019, 08:25 PM

I grew up in the era of the Big Three Networks. Whatever one network did, another one copied. Addams Family, The Munsters. Bewitched, Jeannie. Family Ties, Growing Pains. Brady Bunch, Partridge Family.

This is a new Golden Age of Television. Different that the first, to be sure, but certainly many more options for viewers. You're not limited to three choices anymore.

Mr. Television · 07-29-2019, 08:35 PM

I don't watch any of them anymore other than for sports. Nothing but trash on.

Tubehead · 07-31-2019, 07:45 PM

I remember when my mom & dad didn't have cable & we only had 3 channels we had 4 11 &10!!

stevea · 07-31-2019, 08:52 PM

Right, in Philadelphia there were channels 3 (NBC), 6 (ABC), 10 (CBS), and later 12 (PBS). With a rooftop antenna we could pick up 7 WABC in New York, in southern New Jersey. 6 did not carry a lot of ABC shows, so it was good to be able to pull in 7, although it was snowy.

Later they added 3 independent UHF stations, 17, 29, and 48, which required an additional rooftop antenna.

But to answer the question, there are WAY too many networks.

mandyrenee · 07-31-2019, 09:02 PM

Back 30 years ago growing up I didn't have cable or satellite. We had ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, and one independent station. Back then I was able to find a lot more to watch on TV with only 5 channels than I am today. Today we have Direct TV and most of the channels are pretty much useless to me. If it were strictly up to me I would probably just cut the cord.

It doesn't do a whole lot of good to have all of these networks when there is nothing on them worth watching. Especially when a lot of these networks show the same programs that are on other networks.

Tubehead · 07-31-2019, 09:11 PM

my cousins probably don't know that you had to get up early on saturday moorings!! now they got 24 hours cartoons channels!! I remmeber waiting all week long unitl saturday & getting up around 6:00 am!! & we didn't have online streaming severs liked netflix or dvrs! if you wanted to tape you would use an vsh!! !

LUNCH · 08-06-2019, 05:27 PM

Way,way too many.And I don't even consider most channels these days networks.Frankly I don't know what to call them.Then add things like streaming and who know what else into the mix,what a mess.

LUNCH · 08-06-2019, 05:39 PM

And by the way I am also old enough to remember when there were just the 3 networks,PBS and a few local channels.And television,every single thing about it was a thousand times better.And you rarely heard anyone say there is nothing good to watch.In fact the majority of TV shows that I still watch today were made back in those days.Less was so much more.

Schmo · 08-06-2019, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

And by the way I am also old enough to remember when there just the 3 networks,PBS and a few local channels.And television,every single thing about it was a thousand times better.And you rarely heard anyone say there is nothing good to watch.

With fewer networks back then, the flops were more visible than they are now. Remember “Supertrain” and “The Star Wars Holiday Special”?

LUNCH · 08-06-2019, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmo

With fewer networks back then, the flops were more visible than they are now. Remember “Supertrain” and “The Star Wars Holiday Special”?

I remember both.Everything on TV back then was more visible. Also back then television made people household names.It was a big deal just to be on TV.That is certainly not the case anymore.These days being on TV means nothing and it certainly does not make anyone even close to a household name anymore.

AB · 08-07-2019, 04:44 PM

I like having the many choices the network and cable channels offer. The main network channels here are CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, The CW and PBS but if you have an antenna you can get around 10 more channels for free.

Tubehead · 08-08-2019, 08:26 PM

im not really big sports fan!! but i don't under stand why do the local stations show sports!! we got sevarl different sports channels!! what i don't under stand! is why they show golf!! when we got golf channel!!

mets82 · 08-08-2019, 09:18 PM

There are too many networks with no substance. A lot of the channels are just marathons of a tv show or shows.
Honestly, I hardly watch any current tv with the exception of a few shows.

07-29-2019, 07:26 PM	#1
Schmo Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 24, 2013 Posts: 466	Are there too many networks? I’m old enough to remember when ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS were the only networks to watch. Then in 1979 we got a “box” we could use to access the upstart networks Nickelodeon and WTCG (soon to become WTBS) and maybe a couple of others. Now with hundreds of “networks”, it seems like there’s too much chaff and not enough wheat. Maybe it will get to the point where each of us will have his or her own private network.
	Last edited by Schmo; 07-29-2019 at 11:34 PM.

07-29-2019, 08:25 PM	#3
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	I grew up in the era of the Big Three Networks. Whatever one network did, another one copied. Addams Family, The Munsters. Bewitched, Jeannie. Family Ties, Growing Pains. Brady Bunch, Partridge Family. This is a new Golden Age of Television. Different that the first, to be sure, but certainly many more options for viewers. You're not limited to three choices anymore.
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07-29-2019, 08:35 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I don't watch any of them anymore other than for sports. Nothing but trash on.
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08-06-2019, 05:39 PM	#10
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	And by the way I am also old enough to remember when there were just the 3 networks,PBS and a few local channels.And television,every single thing about it was a thousand times better.And you rarely heard anyone say there is nothing good to watch.In fact the majority of TV shows that I still watch today were made back in those days.Less was so much more.
	Last edited by LUNCH; 08-06-2019 at 06:30 PM.

08-08-2019, 09:18 PM	#15
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	There are too many networks with no substance. A lot of the channels are just marathons of a tv show or shows. Honestly, I hardly watch any current tv with the exception of a few shows.
	__________________ http://www.superbowlgreatness.blogspot.com/ Please check out my blog. I vent on all things. TV, sports etc. you name it. Its also a work in progress. Check out and see what you think.

07-31-2019, 07:45 PM	#5
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	I remember when my mom & dad didn't have cable & we only had 3 channels we had 4 11 &10!!

07-31-2019, 08:52 PM	#6
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,536	Right, in Philadelphia there were channels 3 (NBC), 6 (ABC), 10 (CBS), and later 12 (PBS). With a rooftop antenna we could pick up 7 WABC in New York, in southern New Jersey. 6 did not carry a lot of ABC shows, so it was good to be able to pull in 7, although it was snowy. Later they added 3 independent UHF stations, 17, 29, and 48, which required an additional rooftop antenna. But to answer the question, there are WAY too many networks.

07-31-2019, 09:02 PM	#7
mandyrenee Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 02, 2019 Posts: 194	Back 30 years ago growing up I didn't have cable or satellite. We had ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, and one independent station. Back then I was able to find a lot more to watch on TV with only 5 channels than I am today. Today we have Direct TV and most of the channels are pretty much useless to me. If it were strictly up to me I would probably just cut the cord. It doesn't do a whole lot of good to have all of these networks when there is nothing on them worth watching. Especially when a lot of these networks show the same programs that are on other networks.

07-31-2019, 09:11 PM	#8
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	my cousins probably don't know that you had to get up early on saturday moorings!! now they got 24 hours cartoons channels!! I remmeber waiting all week long unitl saturday & getting up around 6:00 am!! & we didn't have online streaming severs liked netflix or dvrs! if you wanted to tape you would use an vsh!! !

08-06-2019, 05:27 PM	#9
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Way,way too many.And I don't even consider most channels these days networks.Frankly I don't know what to call them.Then add things like streaming and who know what else into the mix,what a mess.

08-07-2019, 04:44 PM	#13
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	I like having the many choices the network and cable channels offer. The main network channels here are CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, The CW and PBS but if you have an antenna you can get around 10 more channels for free.

08-08-2019, 08:26 PM	#14
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	im not really big sports fan!! but i don't under stand why do the local stations show sports!! we got sevarl different sports channels!! what i don't under stand! is why they show golf!! when we got golf channel!!