Superdude 108 Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 Weigel Broadcasting Co. is flipping its digital broadcast network Decades into the sitcom-centric Catchy Comedy on March 27, Variety has learned exclusively. The over-the-air network will focus on a library of classic comedies, with an emphasis on key female stars including the signature shows from Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Burnett. But also central to the Catchy Comedy lineup are key series from Norman Lear, as well as some of the most lauded sitcoms of all time – including the original “Night Court,” which is back in the spotlight thanks to the success of the revival series on NBC. Unlike Decades, which wasn’t measured by ratings, Catchy Comedy will be Nielsen-rated. “That takes it into a different sphere, in terms of advertiser availability and access,” said Neal Sabin, vice chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co. “There are many advertisers that won’t look at these networks unless they’re rated, and we’re pretty confident that we have something here that will rate well.” https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/decades-network-catchy-comedy-night-court-1235521267/ Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19408-decades-network-will-flip-to-sitcom-centric-%E2%80%98catchy-comedy%E2%80%99-in-march/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasTVNews 1377 Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 No more Decades Binge, Through the Decades, and drama shows? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19408-decades-network-will-flip-to-sitcom-centric-%E2%80%98catchy-comedy%E2%80%99-in-march/#findComment-283255 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.L. Hughes 890 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 7 minutes ago, TexasTVNews said: No more Decades Binge, Through the Decades, and drama shows? The binge blocks will continue post-relaunch, but they’ll be known as “The Catchy Binge”. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19408-decades-network-will-flip-to-sitcom-centric-%E2%80%98catchy-comedy%E2%80%99-in-march/#findComment-283256 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Newsroom 1283 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Decades has changed its format and on-air schedule a few times across its history (including into what it is at its end), so it doesn't surprise me much. I enjoy the sitcoms reruns it airs and The Binge though, and I'm excited they will carry over to the new network, along with the new pickups I love. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19408-decades-network-will-flip-to-sitcom-centric-%E2%80%98catchy-comedy%E2%80%99-in-march/#findComment-283259 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseyfla 207 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 The channel is really 3 of Pluto TV’s classic sitcom channels combined into one diginet. It will be nice to have for a subchannel option. The 80s kid in me really wishes Nexstar would push Rewind TV for distribution harder. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19408-decades-network-will-flip-to-sitcom-centric-%E2%80%98catchy-comedy%E2%80%99-in-march/#findComment-283260 Share on other sites More sharing options...
east-tx-tv 121 Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 The article I saw said that they would throw in some occasional weekend showings of series that didn't last as long (and therefore didn't really get the full syndication treatment) like Square Pegs, for example. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19408-decades-network-will-flip-to-sitcom-centric-%E2%80%98catchy-comedy%E2%80%99-in-march/#findComment-283338 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD TV 261 Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 I see that there is a number of existing sitcoms that will remain on the schedule. I kinda thought that said existing sitcoms were being wasted on this, a lesser-known subchannel, especially after the CBS O&Os dumped it in favor of Start TV. Don't like the new name, though. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19408-decades-network-will-flip-to-sitcom-centric-%E2%80%98catchy-comedy%E2%80%99-in-march/#findComment-283342 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mre29 1537 Posted February 16, 2023 Share Posted February 16, 2023 They could have easily kept the "Decades" name and simply slowly added more sitcoms, so the name change is all about the marketing. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19408-decades-network-will-flip-to-sitcom-centric-%E2%80%98catchy-comedy%E2%80%99-in-march/#findComment-283377 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megatron81 263 Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 Decades is on WLLA's .5 I believe, the only subchannel that Spectrum has from WLLA is METV which was Retro when they added it. Through The Decades would've been the only show I'd watch from time to time if it was ever added. Nextar promoted SportsGrid when that was added to .3 before they removed it for TheGrio in late Oct than they do for Rewind TV. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/19408-decades-network-will-flip-to-sitcom-centric-%E2%80%98catchy-comedy%E2%80%99-in-march/#findComment-283568 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.