Television Obscurities

Revised: It's A Man's World

RGJ — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:15:06 +0000

I've finished revising my article on NBC's 1962-1963 series It's A Man's World, which I originally published in April 2006. It's a difficult series to define because it's not purely a drama, it's definitely not a comedy nor is it an adventure series. I decided to refer to it as a drama for lack of a better term. Apparently NBC's promotional department had trouble categorizing the series as well, something that may have harmed it as the 1962-1963 season got underway and viewers were bombarded with promotional spots for new and returning shows on all three networks.

Here's the new summary for the article:

Even before it premiered in September 1962, many critics were praising this drama series for its realistic portrayal of teenage life. But viewers didn't tune in and NBC announced it was cancelling the series only a few months into the new season. Its creator, Peter Tewksbury, along with a number of TV critics and fans, launched a campaign to try to save the series. Thousands of letters were written and members of the cast traveled across the country rallying support. But NBC's decision was final and the show went off the air in January 1963 after just 19 episodes.

The original article was around 1,400 words and the new one is closer to 4,700. I've greatly expanding the sections covering critical reviews and the unsuccessful campaign to save the series. One thing I wanted to research a little more was whether or not there were some critics who didn't like the series. There were a few and now their voices are better represented. Additionally, I've added to the section on episodes to better explain the characters and plots. So please take a moment or two to look over this newly revised version of It's A Man's World.

Classic TV on TV: This TV

RGJ — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:00:17 +0000

The FFC mandated transition to digital television allowed stations to begin broadcasting digital subchannels in addition to their primary channel. Depending on the market, subchannels are available over-the-air (i.e. 30.1, 30.2, 30.3) as well as on cable. Over the past few days I've examined a number of what I call "classic television digital specialty networks" which are distributed primarily via digital subchannels. Today I'm looking at This TV, which is a more general entertainment digital specialty network. In most cases, affiliates have the option of taking some or all of the national feed, meaning their schedules may not match the national schedule.

This TV

This TV is not primarily classic television digital specialty network like Retro TV, Me-TV, Antenna TV or Cozi TV. It airs mostly movies along with children's programming and a number of classic TV shows as well as a few newer ones. It is co-owned by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Weigel Broadcasting Co., which are also responsible for Me-TV. It currently has about 140 affiliates across the country.

On weekdays, children's programming usually airs from 7-9AM, movies from 10AM to 4:30AM and classic TV from 4:30AM to 7AM. Weekends mix things up a little more. The classic TV shows seen on This TV are Mister Ed, Highway Patrol, The Outer Limits (1960s version), The Patty Duke Show, Green Acres and Sea Hunt. It also airs Stargate: SG-1.

This TV does have a bug in the lower right hand corner. Closing credits do not feature a voiceover nor are they squeezed to fit in a promotional spot. I timed a number of episodes of several different shows and some were cut and others appear to be aired uncut:

Sampling of This TV Show Durations, May 2013
Green Acres - 21:59
Highway Patrol - 26:06
Sea Hunt - 26:01
The Patty Duke Show - 21:21
Mister Ed - 21:20

Highway Patrol and Sea Hunt appear uncut while Mister Ed, The Patty Duke Show and Green Acres are missing around three or four minutes. I was not able to record and time an episode of The Outer Limits to see if it airs uncut.

If you're a This TV viewer, hit the comments with your thoughts.

Classic TV on TV: My Family TV

RGJ — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:54 +0000

The FFC mandated transition to digital television allowed stations to begin broadcasting digital subchannels in addition to their primary channel. Depending on the market, subchannels are available over-the-air (i.e. 30.1, 30.2, 30.3) as well as on cable. Over the next few days I'll be examining a number of what I call "classic television digital specialty networks" which are distributed primarily via digital subchannels. In most cases, affiliates have the option of taking some or all of the national feed, meaning their schedules may not match the national schedule.

My Family TV

Launched: December 2008
Website | Affiliates | Schedule | List of Programs | Facebook

Of the networks I've covered so far this week, My Family TV is by far the least well-known It has more than 80 affiliates and is available in some 40 million households (according to its investor relations page) but most of those stations are low-powered and I haven't actually come across anyone who has watched the network. Formerly known as Faith TV, the network was purchased by ValCom, Inc. in September 2008 and relaunched on December 15th, 2008 as My Family TV. In March 2011, ValCom joined forces with Luken Communications (which owns Retro TV) and began to expand its line-up of classic TV shows.

My Family TV airs a mixture of children's programs, general entertainment shows and classic TV shows. Some of the classic TV shows it airs are also seen on Retro TV, including The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Beverly Hillbillies, Route 66, Movin' On and I Spy. But it also airs a number of shows that Retro TV doesn't: I Married Joan, Judge Roy Bean, Mr. and Mrs. North, Shotgun Slade.

I have no idea if My Family TV has a bug or if it airs shows uncut. So if you're a My Family TV viewer, hit the comments with your thoughts.

Classic TV on TV: Cozi TV

RGJ — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:20 +0000

The FFC mandated transition to digital television allowed stations to begin broadcasting digital subchannels in addition to their primary channel. Depending on the market, subchannels are available over-the-air (i.e. 30.1, 30.2, 30.3) as well as on cable. Over the next few days I'll be examining a number of what I call "classic television digital specialty networks" which are distributed primarily via digital subchannels. In most cases, affiliates have the option of taking some or all of the national feed, meaning their schedules may not match the national schedule.

Cozi TV

Formerly known as NBC Nonstop, a digital network for NBC's owned and operated stations, Cozi TV had a soft launch in December 2012 prior to its official launch on January 1st, 2013. You can read my January 7th review of the network here. Wikipedia currently lists 29 stations affiliated with the network. You can check to see if it is available in your area at the Cozi TV website.

The network airs a mixture of classic television shows, old movies and lifestyle program. Among the shows it airs are Charlie's Angels, The Six Million Dollar Man, Marcus Welby, Alias Smith and Jones, Banacek, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Virginian and Lassie.

The first thing you'll probably notice while watching Cozi TV is the aspect ratio. Here's how I described it in my earlier review:

There are black bars on all four sides rather than the more familiar top and bottom bars ("letterbox") or right and left bars ("pillarbox"). Bars on all four sides is called "postage stamp" or "windowbox" and is the result of 4:3 SD content being up-converted for 16:9 HD widescreen use and then downconverted when viewed on a 4:3 SD set. You can read more about formats and aspect ratios in this paper prepared for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).

Interestingly, while most of the shows seen on Cozi TV are 4:3 SD, Charlie's Angels is 16:9 HD (upconverted). Here are some screen shots:

It appears all episodes on Cozi TV are edited to fit more commercials. I timed a number of episodes for my review and found most were cut and I recorded and timed a few more episodes the other day. All were missing 4-6 minutes: Charlie's Angels (43:52), The Lone Ranger (21:53) and Alias Smith and Jones (43:36). The closing credits are not squeezed for promotional spots nor are there voiceovers.

The network features a rather large bug in the lower right hand corner. At the start of every show there is also a large TV rating icon that clutters up the screen. And at least once an hour stations must identify themselves. It all adds up to a lot of clutter:

If you're a Cozi TV viewer, hit the comments with your thoughts.

Classic TV on TV: Antenna TV

RGJ — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

The FFC mandated transition to digital television allowed stations to begin broadcasting digital subchannels in addition to their primary channel. Depending on the market, subchannels are available over-the-air (i.e. 30.1, 30.2, 30.3) as well as on cable. Over the next few days I'll be examining a number of what I call "classic television digital specialty networks" which are distributed primarily via digital subchannels. In most cases, affiliates have the option of taking some or all of the national feed, meaning their schedules may not match the national schedule.

Antenna TV

As of April 2013, Antenna TV was seen on 74 stations covering 63% of the country. The network is owned by Tribune Broadcasting. Its national feed includes a mixture of television shows and movies (broadcast under the "Antenna TV Theater" banner) as well as some educational/instructional programs on Saturday mornings. The bulk of the television shows on Antenna TV are sitcoms, most of which date from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s: : McHale's Navy, Bachelor Father, Good Times, The Monkees, Father Knows Best, Maude and All in the Family. There are also a few newer shows like The Nanny and Married with Children.

In addition to the sitcoms, Antenna TV also airs Suspense Theatre (originally broadcast under the title Kraft Suspense Theatre and later syndicaed as Crisis), Alfred Hitchcock Presents, It Takes a Thief and The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. Movies are mostly relegated to the overnight and early morning hours, with the exception of Saturday night when movies are aired during prime time.

Antenna TV is one of the digital subchannels I receive. I don't watch it often but I have seen a few shows here and there. I was watching Bachelor Father occasionally at one point last year. The other day I recorded several shows so I could time them to see if they were edited. Results were mixed:

Sampling of Antenna TV Show Durations, May 2013
Hazel - 22:18
Crisis (Suspense Theatre) #1 - 50:19
Crisis (Suspense Theatre) #2 - 50:20
McHale's Navy - 25:26
Bachelor Father - 25:29
Father Knows Best - 22:36 Dennis the Menace - 22:31

The durations of Crisis (Suspense Theatre), McHale's Navy and Bachelor Father suggest they are uncut. Hazel, Father Knows Best and Dennis the Menace, on the other hand, appear to have been cut by about three minutes each.

The network doesn't feature a bug in the corner although my local affiliate does occasionally throw up its station identification as required by the FCC. The closing credits to all of the above programs are shown without being squeezed for a promotional spot and without a voiceover. Commercial breaks feature little in the way of promotion for Antenna TV. There were a few "next" promos and one or two generic spots.

If you're an Antenna TV viewer, hit the comments with your thoughts.