When I first read the new schedule on Monday night, and (most importantly) took the hardcore game-show-fan hat off, I absolutely can see some sound logic behind this schedule.
While I will definitely miss my 3:00/3:30 PYL/Whew! combo and waking up to Narz Concentration, I also keep in mind that:
-The Buzzr schedule hasn't been significantly changed for quite a while, except to make space for new acquisitions. A changing schedule gets viewers talking, as it already has!
-Outside of fandom, those that watch Buzzr are likely doing so as background noise, even myself included. I truly only pay actual attention to PYL and Whew!, for example, so showing a smaller variety likely won't bother too many viewers.
-While a show like Talk About might get us excited, it made *no* sense as a prime time show for the casual fan (how many outside of fandom would actually remember it?)
-Some shows that have been on the network for years have only had a small number of episodes converted and thus could really use a rest. Take, for example, NYSI. It's been on the network for a good chunk of its life, yet no episodes with the second format have aired yet. And, the ones that are currently airing are going through their umpteenth cycle. Why do I know this, you ask? I have a toddler daughter who *loves* the theme song, so we watch it every weekday morning with breakfast.
-Summer is not exactly a widely-watched time for television, anyway. So, why not focus on core product for now and slowly bring some stuff back with newer episodes while phasing out weaker performers?
-Most channels that focus on showing reruns do blocks like this anyway.
-Your typical viewer is not likely to leave the same channel on all day, so, even if blocks of programs were to repeat later in the day or overnight, most viewers are probably not likely to notice.
Honestly, if I was designing a schedule for Buzzr, something like this is probably what I'd come up with, but with one change: Take one of the weekend evenings and put some of the lesser-known shows on, maybe like a "Game of the Week" mini-marathon. Something like when GSN did its "Game of the Week" or "Faux Pause Picks" and trotted out Bullseye, Jackpot, All About Faces, etc. Throw the fandom a tasty bone and then focus the weekdays on the more casual audiences that want to see MG, Password, Newlywed Game as opposed to a short-lived Canadian game show.
Oh, and, if possible, put Price is Right (Barker) on the schedule, even if once a day.
Anthony
P.S. I think you'll see Sweep back on the schedule (not overnight) should ABC renew the show. Same with PYL.
P.P.S. If MGHS ended up being one of their top acquisitions to the point that it's still on the schedule, I definitely have some crow to eat because I thought the acquisition made no financial sense at the time it was announced!
