Turner Classic Movies

Factual Questions
1

I love movie channels. But channels like HBO and Showtime… make sense. They charge a monthly fee, and show movies in return.

Then there’s AMC. They used to show movies for free, before realizing they needed to make money and adding commercial breaks. True, I think this sucks, but at least I understand it.

So…what’s up with Turner Classic Movies? How can these guys show movies for free? Yeah, they’re older films and I’m sure licensing rights are cheap, especially if they are owned by Turner.

But broadcasting ain’t cheap! Plus, they shoot host wraps for the movies. That means paying for a set, crew, camera and lighting equipment, etc.

Yet they show unedited movies, commercial free, without charging us viewers.

How? And why? (Not that I’m complaining… just baffled.)

2

They are paid a fee by the cable companies that carry the channel.

So, instead of getting something like $14.95 from the few people who actually want the channel, the cable company gives it to everyone and adds $1 to the basic subscription charge on everyone’s bill. Makes it look like you’re not paying extra, but you know if the cable company has to pay, they’re passing it on to you somewhere.

3

Plus I think Turner likes old movies, and would run that channel at a loss if he had to.