Why did ABC slot Home Improvement at 9 p.m. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 03-19-2022, 06:01 AM

At least in its early seasons. I mean, it was always more of a family show. Isn't 9 p.m. (at least back in the '90s) usually reserved for dramas or "edgier" sitcoms?

SarahBellum · 03-19-2022, 12:33 PM

Networks do strange things. Back in the 60s, ABC aired Combat at 7:30 pm. That program should have aired in a later timeslot, perhaps 9:00 pm.

MattLej1983 · 03-19-2022, 01:54 PM

I wonder if they thought it kinda had somewhat of an adult male demographic too that would be up later but it definitely weird. I would have a hard time to believe the network didn’t really care about it early on even so it’s a good question.

James28 · 03-19-2022, 03:56 PM

It depends on how strong a network's comedy and drama divisions are (for example, how many anchor-worthy sitcoms a network has if a network has a strong sitcom division, and how much room a network has for sitcoms at all because of a robust drama division). Having "family" sitcoms at 9 and "edgy" sitcoms at 8 would kill the notion of a "family hour" on U.S. broadcast TV.

JO Sweet Heart · 04-02-2022, 08:33 PM

I could be wrong, but during its first season, it came on at 8:30 PM EST.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

03-19-2022, 06:01 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,635	Why did ABC slot Home Improvement at 9 p.m. At least in its early seasons. I mean, it was always more of a family show. Isn't 9 p.m. (at least back in the '90s) usually reserved for dramas or "edgier" sitcoms?

03-19-2022, 03:56 PM	#4
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,998	It depends on how strong a network's comedy and drama divisions are (for example, how many anchor-worthy sitcoms a network has if a network has a strong sitcom division, and how much room a network has for sitcoms at all because of a robust drama division). Having "family" sitcoms at 9 and "edgy" sitcoms at 8 would kill the notion of a "family hour" on U.S. broadcast TV.
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

04-02-2022, 08:33 PM	#5
JO Sweet Heart Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 11, 2012 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 7,934	I could be wrong, but during its first season, it came on at 8:30 PM EST. God bless you always!!! Holly
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03-19-2022, 12:33 PM	#2
SarahBellum Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,874	Networks do strange things. Back in the 60s, ABC aired Combat at 7:30 pm. That program should have aired in a later timeslot, perhaps 9:00 pm.

03-19-2022, 01:54 PM	#3
MattLej1983 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 19, 2022 Location: New Brunswick Posts: 40	I wonder if they thought it kinda had somewhat of an adult male demographic too that would be up later but it definitely weird. I would have a hard time to believe the network didn’t really care about it early on even so it’s a good question.