Why does METV have a huge obsession with MASH?

[Hawkee]

I have never figured out why METV is obsessed with MASH and it seems to be one of their top shows in their schedule that gets overplayed way too much. Is it because MASH reruns are hard to find nowadays and METV is the only channel that airs MASH reruns now or is it because MASH has a heavy fanbase? I think METV should really limit MASH reruns to once a day and add another show like Columbo in it's place or even put more episodes of The Flintstones in place of MASH. Although MASH is neat I think MASH should move to Heroes And Icons and away from METV
Do you agree?
Bestie

[Wawwie]

I've never seen even one episode of MASH. The show looks dumb to me.
Anyway, I'm ticked off at METV for dumping Mama's Family and The Jeffersons to replace them with The Flinstones. I wish they would have dumped MASH instead.

[Mace Dolex]

Even as a kid in the 80's when I'd get home from school and plop down to watch TV I never understood M*A*S*H's popularity and why it lasted as long as it did or how its series finale garnered such huge ratings.

I realize back then with only 3 networks and few independent stations options were limited but still was it a slow night when the finale aired?

[HelloLarry]

MASH was huge and in today's landscape it is impossible to garnish big ratings with any show since choices are so schizophrenic. MASH must still gets decent ratings otherwise MeTV would move it around. It still, overall, is a clever and well crafted show.

MeTV isn't the only station playing MASH however. I think WGN America shows, Sundance (or maybe IFC), and TVLand still show reruns of the series too.

[Duster76]

Originally Posted by LaBestia

I have never figured out why METV is obsessed with MASH and it seems to be one of their top shows in their schedule that gets overplayed way too much. Is it because MASH reruns are hard to find nowadays and METV is the only channel that airs MASH reruns now or is it because MASH has a heavy fanbase? I think METV should really limit MASH reruns to once a day and add another show like Columbo in it's place or even put more episodes of The Flintstones in place of MASH. Although MASH is neat I think MASH should move to Heroes And Icons and away from METV
Do you agree?
Bestie

The show gets ratings. I happen not to like Hogan's Heroes, but the show has been on in my area at 10pm for as long as I can remember. The ratings must be good enough. In the end it's about the numbers.

[DadTheKing]

Originally Posted by LaBestia

I have never figured out why METV is obsessed with MASH and it seems to be one of their top shows in their schedule that gets overplayed way too much. Is it because MASH reruns are hard to find nowadays and METV is the only channel that airs MASH reruns now or is it because MASH has a heavy fanbase? I think METV should really limit MASH reruns to once a day and add another show like Columbo in it's place or even put more episodes of The Flintstones in place of MASH. Although MASH is neat I think MASH should move to Heroes And Icons and away from METV
Do you agree?
Bestie

Hi, Bestie! I don't know why METV shows MASH. Maybe because there is so many episodes of it. I wish they would show the DINOSAURS tv show myself. Do you know any channels showing it?
DTK

[Schmoopie]

It did annoy me at first that Me TV shows MASH so much but after watching a few episodes, I'm curious to see the whole series. I just watched the finale and.... wow... just amazing. I do agree though that MASH is shown too much. They should give other shows a chance as well. It seems that every time I turn on the TV no matter what station, MASH is on.

[jessm78]

Sorry for resurrecting this old thread but I wasn't sure where else to post this... I'm not a huge fan of MASH per se, I do like watching it every now and then, but it really does seem like MeTV can't air enough of it. They already air 2 episodes of it on weekdays and on Saturdays (or Sundays?). Now for the whole month of May ("The Month of MASH") they've aired 2 extra episodes, dedicating one week to a specific character. That's all well and good - I've got no problem with that, but it looks like they're continuing this for June. So I guess it's now the "Months of MASH"?

I agree with whoever said it's about ratings and I guess it really brings in the ratings, but to me 4 episodes per weeknight is a bit overkill and I agree with Schmoopie that they should also give other shows a chance.

[Duster76]

Originally Posted by jessm78

Sorry for resurrecting this old thread but I wasn't sure where else to post this... I'm not a huge fan of MASH per se, I do like watching it every now and then, but it really does seem like MeTV can't air enough of it. They already air 2 episodes of it on weekdays and on Saturdays (or Sundays?). Now for the whole month of May ("The Month of MASH") they've aired 2 extra episodes, dedicating one week to a specific character. That's all well and good - I've got no problem with that, but it looks like they're continuing this for June. So I guess it's now the "Months of MASH"?

I agree with whoever said it's about ratings and I guess it really brings in the ratings, but to me 4 episodes per weeknight is a bit overkill and I agree with Schmoopie that they should also give other shows a chance.

At the rate of 4 episodes a day, five days a week, and two more on Sunday they will go through the whole series in less than 12 weeks! I believe this is only temporary, maybe METV has acquired another show but the license doesn't kick in until July. The numbers on The A Team must have been bad so they pulled the show early.

An alternate possibility, METV may be thinking of moving the series to the 6pm hour and are easing the transition this way. I thought about the possibility that they might add All in the Family to the 7-8 slot Monday through Friday. We'll find out soon enough.

[Bonniegirl]

IDK? They really over do MASH and also The Andy Griffith show !

[Rich3]

They are skipping a lot of episodes lately.

[Chocolate Moose]

it's a great show but there are so many.

[Coffeecup]

My mother was in the service as a nurse working in similar situations and she would NEVER watch it. Her work was serious and there were no laughs. Sure she cheered up the injured men but it was not a comedy show.

[king of comedy]

Dont' forget it's on TVland Monday thru Friday.

[Alan Brady's Hair]

I think Weigel Broadcasting is spread a little thin. It's not part of an enormous media group like Cozi under NBC or Antenna under Tribune and Nexstar. They have seven channels, two of which (Movies! and Start) are joint ventures where the programming is mostly supplied. For the other channels, they have to make deals to acquire programming. Then, when you get right down to it, there really aren't that many older shows that can attract loyal viewers. So they're trying to scoop out the most durable shows from each genre, and then maximizing use when they find ones the audience likes and will stick with through multiple viewings.