Nostalgic TV Is Making A Comeback

The entertainment industry as a whole is just not what it used to be. For starters, we're being bombarded with reality TV shows ad nauseum. It seems that somewhere along the line, the network execs lost sight of the fact that most people like to relax and watch TV to suspend reality. And, the subject matter of most of them doesn't interest me either... especially those that center around the day-to-day lives of out-of-work celebrities and/or their spouses, ex-spouses, and relatives, whose only claim to fame is that they're related to a celebrity.

I'm also not crazy about competitive reality shows... whether it's cooking, losing weight, modeling, running a business, singing, survival, or trying to find Mr. or Mrs. Right. As for movies, they've reached an all-time low because Hollywood seems to be totally preoccupied with the concept of remaking films that don't need to be redone. And, don't even get me started on the music industry and all the changes they've put us through over the last two decades. The rapid changes in devices, formats, etc. are enough to make your head spin... and, barring a few exceptions, most of the artists and music being released today leaves much to be desired.

Well, as is the nature of most humans, when we're dissatisfied with our present, we sometimes like to reach back for things that are familiar and once brought us pleasure. So, the next time you're channel surfing and can't seem to find anything worthwhile to watch, consider enjoying some of your old classics and favorites on TV stations such as the ones below. I've read that most of them are doing quite well and much better than originally anticipated in terms of expected viewership. Perhaps, some of that is due to the overwhelming success of TV Land. Whatever it is, people seem to like it... and, from time to time, you can count me among them!

ANTENNA TV features classic television programs and favorite movies. Local television stations air Antenna TV as a digital multicast channel depending on the city and the station. Antenna TV is free and available over-the-air using rabbit ears (a traditional broadcast television antenna) or a rooftop antenna. In addition, most major cable companies from coast-to-coast carry local affiliate feeds of Antenna TV. Visit the website to check out the offerings and schedule for TV shows. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Launch Date: January 2011.

ME TV features a wide range of classic television programming, some of the best programming written for television, that audiences and advertisers find comfortable and engaging. Its library includes series from Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution and CBS Television Distribution as well as independent series owners and producers. Visit the website to check out the offerings and schedule for TV shows. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Launch Date: December 2010.

RETRO TV (RTV) is a television network that airs classic television shows, as well as more recently produced programs. Owned by Luken Communications, LLC, the network airs mainly on stations' digital sub-channels or low power television stations. They run programs that come from various independent distributors. Visit the website to check out their offerings and schedule for TV Shows. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Launch Date: July 2005.

THIS TV is a free premium channel that brings you award winning films, box office hits, cult classics, retro TV shows, and all your favorite Hollywood stars! Visit the website to check out the offerings and schedule for TV shows. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Launch Date: November 2008.

Of course, TV LAND has been around for quite a while. Depending on where you live and your cable provider, it may have been the only game you had in town for watching great TV shows of the past. It's an American cable television network owned by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, which also owns Paramount Pictures, and networks such as MTV and Nickelodeon. Originally consisting exclusively of classic television shows, the network now airs a combination of classic television shows, newer shows, original programming, and movies. Visit the website to check out the offerings and schedule for TV shows. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Launch Date: April 1996.