Tuned In

Some news and notes from the world of classic TV:

  • IFC (formerly The Independent Film Channel) is now airing the classic 1960s series Batman. The network airs back-to-back episodes in the morning (approximately 7:30 and 8AM) and afternoon (approx. 33:30 and 4PM), along with multi-hour marathons on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Click here for the complete schedule.
  • The long-running early western series Cheyenne is now playing on Encore Westerns. Cheyenne stars Clint Walker and originally aired on ABC from 1955-63 for a total of 108 episodes. Encore Westerns is running Cheyenne weeknights from 7:10-8PM Eastern. For more info, visit the Encore TV website.
  • WKRP in Cincinnati is finally coming to DVD, hopefully with much of the music intact. According to studio Shout! Factory, WKRP has a “complicated history of music rights restrictions. To make this the most comprehensive DVD release possible, we are doing our best to include every scene uncut and to license as much original music as possible.” The 13-disc set carries an MSRP of $139.99 but Amazon is accepting pre-orders at a 10% discount.

Obit: Bob Hastings

Veteran television character actor and voice artist Bob Hastings has died.

Hastings was the voice of comic book character Archie Andrews on radio, later joining the cast of 1960s TV sitcom McHale’s Navy. He guested on numerous classic shows of the 1960s and 70s, including Dennis the Menace, Green Acres, I Dream of Jeannie, Ironside and The Munsters.

In the 1970s, Bob Hastings was one of two actors to play the recurring role of bar owner Tommy Kelsey on All in the Family. He also did extensive voice work on cartoons, including roles on CB Bears, Challenge of the Superfriends, Clue Club and Fred Flintstone and Friends. Hastings voiced the character of Commissioner Gordon on several animated versions of Batman.

Hastings passed away Monday in California. He was 89 years old.

Obit: Eli Wallach

Veteran film, stage and television actor Eli Wallach has died.

Wallach’s most memorable film roles included Calvera in The Magnificent Seven and Tuco (The Ugly) in the classic Clint Eastwood spaghetti western The Good The Bad and The Ugly. He guested on a number of classic TV shows, including Kojak, Naked City and Playhouse 90. Wallach was also one of three actors to play special guest villain Mr. Freeze on the campy 1960s series Batman (the others were Otto Preminger and George Sanders).

Wallach passed away Tuesday in New York. He was 98 years old.

getTV Signs Major Expansion Deal

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National classic movie digital network getTV is adding 33 more markets, expanding its reach to nearly 70% of U.S. TV households.

getTV announced its deal with Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group on Monday, with Sinclair agreeing to add the multicast service in 33 of its markets by the end of September. Here’s a list of the new getTV affiliates:

Market Station Primary Affiliation
Baltimore WNUV The CW
Birmingham WTTO The CW
Boise KYUU The CW
Buffalo WNYO MyNetworkTV
Cedar Rapids KGAN CBS
Charleston SC WTAT FOX
Charleston WV WCHS ABC
Cincinnati WSTR MyNetworkTV
Columbia MO KRCG CBS
Columbia SC WACH FOX
Columbus OH WTTE FOX
Dayton WKEF ABC
Des Moines KDSM FOX
Flint WSMH FOX
Greensboro WMYV MyNetworkTV
Greenville SC WMYA MyNetworkTV
Las Vegas KVMY MyNetworkTV
Lexington WDKY FOX
Madison WMSN FOX
Milwaukee WVTV The CW
Minneapolis-St. Paul WUCW The CW
Mobile WFGX MyNetworkTV
Nashville WUXP MyNetworkTV
Norfolk WTVZ MyNetworkTV
Oklahoma City KOCB The CW
Paducah WDKA MyNetworkTV
Pittsburgh WPGH FOX
Portland ME WGME CBS
Portland OR KATU ABC
Rochester NY WUHF FOX
St. Louis KDNL ABC
Tallahassee WTWC NBC
Wichita KMTW MyNetworkTV


getTV launched in February 2014 and is a service of Sony Pictures Television. It airs a 24/7 schedule of classic movies on broadcast stations across America, including WFUT New York, KFTR Los Angeles and WGBO Chicago.

For more info, visit the getTV website.

Cozi TV Coming To 8 More Markets

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Classic TV digital multicast network Cozi TV is expanding into eight new markets, including Seattle and Pittsburgh.

The new affiliates are KFFV Seattle, WBGN-CD Pittsburgh, WHNO New Orleans, KWHB Tulsa, KWHE Honolulu, KWHS Colorado Springs CO, WHME South Bend IN and WCVI St. Croix USVI. All markets are scheduled to launch this summer.

Cozi TV programming includes such off-network classics as Charlie’s Angels, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Lone Ranger, Magnum P.I. and The Six Million Dollar Man. It is owned by NBCUniversal.


Classic TV Stars in Concert

Check out a new selection under our Shopping tab: Classic TV Star Concerts. It’s your chance to see some great classic TV stars from the 1950s, 60s and 70s live and in person.

Among our classic TV favorites currently on tour are Bill Cosby, Bob Newhart, Joan Rivers and Steve Martin.

We’ve teamed up with Ticket Liquidator to make these concert tickets available for purchase. TL is a ticket reseller, so prices are more than likely higher than face value.

Special Offer: Receive $10 off orders of $350 or more at Ticket Liquidator!

Obit: Casey Kasem

Legendary radio disc jockey and voice artist Casey Kasem has passed away.

Kasem was best known for his four-decade role as host of the syndicated radio countdown show American Top 40. He was the voice of Shaggy on the classic Saturday morning cartoon series Scooby-Doo Where Are You? and its numerous sequels.

Casey Kasem also voiced many other cartoon characters including Alexander on Josie & The Pussycats and Robin the Boy Wonder on Super Friends. He guested on such classic TV shows as Charlie’s Angels, Hawaii Five-0 and Quincy M.E. and was a booth announcer for NBC-TV in 1970s and 80s.

Kasem died Sunday in Gig Harbor, WA at the age of 82.

Obit: Ruby Dee

Veteran character actress Ruby Dee has died.

Dee was best known for her stage and film roles, including The Jackie Robinson Story, A Raisin in the Sun and American Gangster. She was a regular on daytime soap Guiding Light and primetime soap Peyton Place. Dee also guested on such classic TV shows as The Defenders, The Fugitive and Police Woman.

Dee was married to actor Ossie Davis from 1948 until his death in 2005. The 91 year old Dee passed away Wednesday at her home in New Rochelle, New York.

Movies! Diginet Adding 5 Affiliates

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Classic movies digital network Movies! is coming to five new markets.

The new affiliates are WJZY Charlotte (Channel 46.2), KUCW Salt Lake City (30.2), KTRV Boise ID (12.3), WFXS Wausau WI (55.3) and KMOL Victoria TX (17.2). KUCW and KMOL have already launched Movies!, while WJZY will go live on July 1. KTRV and WFXS will start later in 2014.

Movies! launched in May 2013 and airs classic films from 20th Century Fox, Paramount and other studios. It is a joint venture of Fox Television Stations and Weigel Broadcasting Company.