Hey, remember TV GUIDE? If you were born in the 20th century, sure you do. Still, growing up in the 1960s and 70s, it was NOT a regular thing in our house.
1) The Sunday paper already had ‘TV Week’ in between the shuffle of store coupons and PARADE Magazine.
2) My family had a town crier (ahem, me) who somehow knew what was airing on every channel, every night of the week. “Hear ye, hear ye! Tonight on ABC is Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley, followed by Three’s Company & Taxi! On CBS is Paper Chase and the CBS Tuesday Night Movie! On NBC…”
Still, it managed to find it’s way into our house on occasion, especially if there was someone notable on the cover like Frank Sinatra or Elvis. And when we went to Grandma’s house, I’d always skim thru her copy. It was just a part of everyone’s life, like Kleenex.
When I moved out of my parents house in 1979, I bought TV Guide weekly without fail. (I didn’t have a lot of money, but in 1979 the cover price was only 30 cents.) When I got my first real place, I began subscribing to it.
Did you know (unlike most magazines) TV Guide did not offer a discount for subscribing? Not until the 2000s anyway, when it’s popularity began to wane and the cover price reached a couple dollars. I can still remember when I finally let my subscription lapse, when they went from digest-size to “regular magazine” size. That was in October 2005.
The final ‘digest-sized’ copy of TV Guide, for the week of October 9-16, 2005
Along with ten million others, I realized I no longer needed it. Cable & dish services supplied a schedule of shows on your tv screen. (Smart tvs now do that too.)
For 15 years or so, TV Guide was just a memory.
And then last year, a Youtuber I follow (FredFlix) posted a brief video of things he missed from his youth. TV shows like Space 1999, drive-in movies, 15 cent comic books, TV Guide.
We got to talking about TV Guide in earnest, and one of his followers commented “I’m going out to buy one today!” and I said I was going to do one better and sign up for a subscription.
I went on Google and found a link from TV Guide to subscribe for one year for $15.00.
When I got my first copy a few weeks later, I was a little surprised, a little disappointed. It no longer had local listings with local channels. Just a double-page grid showing what was playing on the major networks and cable channels from 7:00pm to 10:30pm. What? No daytime or late night listings?
Also, it no longer came out weekly. More like twice a month.
It still included the classic TV Guide crossword puzzle & the Cheers n’ Jeers column, but I could tell who this magazine’s intended demographic was. The cover stories were always about NCIS or Law & Order, and the advertisements were for things like walk-in bathtubs, Jitterbug flip-phones and “Genuine Swiss” cuckoo clocks.
To be honest, I got bored with it fast. It became a coaster for my coffee cup and remote. I always intended to read it but the next thing y’know, 2 weeks had passed and here’s the next issue.
Pretty much a waste of my fifteen dollars, but I enjoyed the nostalgia of seeing it in my house again, at least. Still, I had no intention of renewing my subscription so when I got a “TIME TO RENEW YOUR TV GUIDE” notice in the mail, I tossed it in the trash.
Then a couple weeks ago I got one labeled ‘2ND NOTICE’. Gosh, they sure want that $15.00 of mine! I opened it up out of curiosity, and frankly couldn’t believe what I saw inside:
They didn’t want $15.00—THEY WANTED 4 PAYMENTS OF $13.99—FOR ONE YEAR. It says you’re getting a 56% discount, but who the hell is going to shell out $55.96 for a one year subscription to this magazine?
Anyway… I took the photo above to share on my blog, then changed my mind, gathered up their silly papers, threw them away and hoped no one else was coerced into paying that much money for this quaint mag.
And then yesterday, this arrived. Oh TV GUIDE… give it up!
I rarely watch TV, so I would never buy or subscribe to TV Guide. Now, you have a pest dogging you for money. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWell Gigi, now I'm curious to see if I get a 4th notice or even a 5th.. :^)
DeleteI remember TV guide... of course. It was a house-hold item in our home growing up too. But I wasn't addicted. Nowadays I never subscribe to any magazine. Most have too much advertising and not enough content. But I do pick up a cooking mag here and there. I like Southern Cast Iron Cooking as well the the recipes in Taste of Home. And now with streaming TV, I hardly ever know what we will be watching, but just surf through the options.
ReplyDeleteRian just reading that title 'Southern Cast Iron Cooking' is making my stomach growl! Anyway, I'm with you--no magazines, well except for TV Guide for a year. Also like you, I'm mostly just streaming my tv watching now. :^)
DeleteBelieve it or not, I grew up in a house without television but I do remember seeing them at my grandparents house and being in awe at how many things you had to choose from to watch television. I have a television (three of them) now but all have the cable guide at the touch of a button so it never occurred to me that this would still be an option.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I can't wait to see the prequel to the Sopranos. That was the second show I ever streamed (the first was Breaking Bad) and solidified that as a watching format in my life.
Ed, I remember you saying that once before (not having a tv)--wow. Well, you sure can't do better than Breaking Bad or the Sopranos, I'd say both were in my Top Ten All-Time shows! And yep, I can't wait for that prequel either!
DeleteAlthough we never got it at my house, I used to love TV Guide when I'd spot it somewhere else. I was fascinated with the articles; it was like the precursor to People magazine. Now I watch TV rarely and use the internet or my TV to tell me what's on.
ReplyDeleteAnother non-Guide person, my gosh! Well Margaret, I'm the same as you--I just use the guide on my tv to see what's on, but frankly there's nothing on the networks I want to see! (I do love Netflix & HBO Max though.)
DeleteGosh, that takes me back, Doug. Decades ago I had a subscription for it and enjoyed the articles plus great recipes. Very surprised it hasn't yet gone the way of the dodo. Yes, it will be interesting to see how many more notices you receive. After all, the envelope does not say 'final' notice.
ReplyDeleteFlorence I'm surprised it's still around too! Maybe that's why it's so pricey, it just kills me they want almost 60 bucks for ONE YEAR. Anyway, you made me laugh--you're right! Where's my Final Notice :^)
DeleteWow, can't believe the price. I do have Directv's guide so it no longer interests me though back in the day, I liked some of the stories. The more desperate they are to get you back, you might get some neat enticements. So far they are up to offering a gift subscription and a calendar.
ReplyDeletePatti I actually got that calendar last year when I got the 1 year subscription, but it was too big to hang in my kitchen. I'm afraid they can't offer me anything that justifies $56.00 for a one year subscription--I couldn't bring myself to pay 15 bucks!
DeleteThis post takes me back! Many of us are first generation TV kids and those early years of television were special. We always had a TV guide in our house because my Dad loved it. Did you know you can get TV Guide Trivia games? I like to just Google famous TV Guide Covers for a trip back in time. The price now is outrageous! A couple of years ago I bought a copy expecting it to be what it used to be. Boy was I disappointed! It's just not the same and in no way is it worth that price! Great post Doug!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bonnie, finally another fan--and yes I've enjoyed looking up old TV Guide covers too! I'll still run across an old one online and be shocked that I remember that cover :^) Anyway, you're right--the price is just outrageous, after I wrote this blog I had to examine that cover for the retail price. TV Guide ie now $4.99 an issue. I'm in honest shock :^(
DeleteWe never got TV Guide in my house. We subscribed to Saturday Evening Post and Reader's Digest. I agree with your rating of both The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. I'd like to see your list of top ten TV shows of all time
ReplyDeleteThank you Tom, and guess what I just got a 2 year subscription for, 2 months ago--Readers Digest! It's a little thinner than the "old days" but it's as good as ever! It also fits perfectly on the lid of my toilet :) As for top ten tv shows.. you just inspired a future blog, thank you sir.
DeleteOn that envelope write Unsolicited mail Return to sender, in red and post it back to them. We have a tv guide in our Sunday paper, I don't think I've seen an actual TV Guide Magazine for years now, since all the smart TVs have the programs right there on the screens. I don't use that, I prefer to look in the guide. We also have the daily TV guide on the back page of the daily newspaper.
ReplyDeleteWell River, I tossed out that 3rd notice mail from them on Thursday, so nothing to send back. I didn't even know TV Guide was once a magazine down under too.
DeleteHi Doug, like you I didn’t grow up with the TV guide. Our Saturday paper had a very good one so no need to buy one. Over the years I have bought it (I seem to remember various Star Trek ones) but as we haven’t watched tv in ten years or so no need for it.
ReplyDeleteI imagine you will receive more offers. I subscribed to “Country Living” five years ago for a year. I wasn’t happy with it and canceled my subscription. I just received another mailing from them a couple days ago.
Take care!
Robin
Hi Robin, thanks for sharing and you just reminded me--I DID buy a couple more TV Guides after 2005, both were Star Trek related. I think I still have them packed away with my other ST junk :) Anyway I'm sorry you didn't like Country Living, I'd like to find a nice magazine like that to subscribe to, as long as it wasn't $60.00 a year. I hope you don't get deluged with notices, that annoys me, and it's a waste of resources.
DeleteWhen you grew up in a house that got two channels in good weather, the tv guide wasn't necessary.
ReplyDeleteRe: magazines. I got zinged on this twice. It's called automatic renewal. They just go ahead and charge your card. I reversed it both times, but boy I do hate that. If I wanted it, I would have sent in the form.
Debby, we grew up with 3 channels (in good weather) so you are right, a guide was hardly necessary. As for automatic renewal, I'm surprised TV Guide didn't do that--you just made me feel lucky here, thanks. :^) I'm honestly surprised TVG didn't try that!
DeleteWow! Ouch with the TV Guide. Gosh! I just realized we haven't subscribed to any magazine in years. We get so much information on our cellphones that I haven't felt a need. I didn't even realize this until you mentioned your TV Guide.
ReplyDeleteKay they are pretty retro, aren't they! Well, I honestly didnt know TV Guide was still around until my friend inspired me to go looking for it... I only did it for the sake of nostalgia. I DO look at a lot of magazines, but only at the barber shop! :)
DeleteAustralia has TV Week, but I don’t bother with that as every Thursday The Age (Melbourne’s best newspaper) includes the Green Guide that has the week’s schedule for all the free to air stations. The Sun has a guide as well but it’s a Murdoch rag so I don’t touch that one.
ReplyDeleteIt’s called the Green Guide because it’s printed on green paper. There have been attempts over the years to use regular white paper (as that’s cheaper) but there’s been such a hullabaloo that’s it has always reverted to green.
As this is Oz, naturally it’s referred to as the Greenie. An environmentalist is also called a Greenie but it’s rather easy to distinguish between them.
Peter aka Music Man, I'm always delighted when you show up here--thanks for sharing this, it's fascinating to hear how it's done in your part of the world. The Green Guide almost sounds psychedelic, I love it. :^)
DeleteThe only magazine I still get in paper form is Parachutist, which comes with my annual membership. I like to see who is doing what these days, but I sure don't read it with the avid attention I once gave it! Never got TV Guide, but it does seem like an anachronism. :-)
ReplyDelete"I sure don't read it with the avid attention I once gave it!" DJan, I think it's enough that you get THE PARACHUTIST, I don't know any others that have the experiences you do! As for TV Guide, I certainly learned my lesson and I love the word anachronism--what a perfect fit :^)
DeleteOMG, that's a lot to spend on something no longer necessary since every modern TV has a TV Guide Channel to find out what's on, for Free. Sometimes at our Antique Mall a few Vintage small size TV Guides show up and it's Fun to browse thru them for the Nostalgia and seeing how much less was offered on the TV way back when. I still remember when TV went off air at Night and they'd play the National Anthem. I remember when TV was only Black and White. As a Young Adult, after I moved out on my own, I didn't even own a TV for Years, but I had one Killer Stereo System, back when they were enormous and took up a whole entertainment center and the Speakers were actual Furniture. *LOL* I quit subscribing to Magazines Years ago because I Hoarded too many of them... and when I finally cleared them out I didn't want to risk keeping too many again. I pulled out favorite Pages first and made some Inspiration Books, since almost every subscription was to Decor Magazines. Interesting to see how much Decorating and Style had changed, I purged those Inspiration Books of Imagery that no longer Inspired me, what a Flashback in Time it was tho'!
ReplyDeleteBohemian, I sure enjoyed reading your memories--thank you! I had to laugh at your speakers being considered furniture, I remember and miss those times!! FYI, I used to keep magazines too but mine were Playboy, Star Trek Fan Club, Starlog & Omni. I was (and still am) a nerd :^)
DeleteThanks for the info Dug. I miss having the small size mag to figure out what I want to watch, and was wondering about getting TV Guide again. A bit useless it seems if it doesn't include all day and local channels. Thanks for saving me the hassle, and hope a TV Guide person doesn't come to your door! (I don't like trying to figure out Menus and listings on the TV or my cell.) Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Linda, this was just the type of comment I was looking for. (And I hope a TV Guide person doesn't come to my door either, haha!) But this did make me miss the old days of not having so much tv to wade through to find something good to watch. I totally get your frustration. :^(
DeleteI remember when I was a child my parents bought the TV Guide. Now I never watch TV so wouldn't need one.
ReplyDeleteI thought I left a comment here several days ago. Oh, dear! Does that mean I’m losing it? When TV Guide first started I drove to Cleveland and interviewed for a job. I didn't get it. Not long after that I drove to Columbus and got a job at a TV station when we were doing a lot of local live shows. I seldom ever purchased a TV Guide, instead using our newspaper which I was purchasing anyway that often had more current listings if program changes since TV Guide had to go to press so long before. They did have other features I know many people valued and the publication was a Bible for many TV viewers as you describe and I don't disparage that. :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late comment...it's embarrassing how excited I used to get when the Fall Preview edition of TV Guide would arrive. I miss that. I don't think I've ever looked through the full-sized edition. It just doesn't seem right for it to be that big! Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteNo apologies needed, thanks Robert and haha I know just what you mean about the Fall Preview issues then! I miss those days a lot too, thanks for sharing.
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