Is there ever been a reason for GSN to do this every year? It just seems so bizarre they air these classic games once a year, and burn them in a not-even-PST-friendly time.
Not a complaint, just wondering.
In the decade-plus they've been doing this, I don't remember anyone ever asking why before? Back when it started I think it might've been assumed to be some sort of special holiday stunt, but the GSN that would do something like
that is at least 3-4 years dead. With every passing year it smacks more of obligation than choice, and special programming stunts just aren't handled the way GSN doesn't handle it (they just do it, and it's clear someone is putting thought into episode selection, but the rest of the network just ignores that hour and it's not even promoted)
They let their G-T library license lapse in 2009 and the two series have never turned up on the schedule save these holiday weeks.
Just thinking out loud, I know I remember reading something once upon a time, I wanna say it might have been in a Garry Moore related bio article, that at one point CBS (and possibly Garry Moore himself) had some degree of interest or holding in the shows. Definitely would not be unique for series that pre-date the quiz scandals especially. Depending on how the contract was set up, it wouldn't be unprecedented that Fremantle's control of the two series is somehow tied to GSN airing the shows, a deal that probably would have been set up either during the time when GSN was going to be a Goodson-Sony joint venture or shortly thereafter in the run to the network launch. There are far weirder contract clauses and legal agreements in this biz - if you doubt it, tune into Freeform to watch 700 Club sometime.
If true, it's likely GSN gets something out of the deal for holding up their part of the bargain after all these years. Match Game increasingly doesn't fit the way the channel is scheduled, unless they're getting it free - GSN not wanting to pay to license anything (episodes OR formats) is their modern era M.O.. Feud with Harvey's
probably a traditional license, but again, stranger things have happened. (Alt: GSN has to, same origin story, and doesn't have a choice in the matter
either per their legal)
(tl;dr) JUST a guess, half speculative and half thought, but I genuinely think there might be a contractual obligation in play for Fremantle, and GSN may or may not be getting something (or saving something) in exchange for doing it. Definitely feels more contractual obligation than programming stunt though, especially in a post-Buzzr GSN.
