Television Archives : Page 7 of 12 : The Retro Network

History of Nickelodeon Part 2: June 1984

In June of 1984, Nickelodeon saw its first major transition. Cy Schneider, the network’s original president retired. His successor would change Nickelodeon’s direction from parent approved to “kid” focused. Not “young people”-focused, not “child-focused” KID-focused.

30 Years of the Sci-Fi Channel

Pitfall Gary

In September 1992 I was living in Denver with some friends of my family, Joan and Larry. They were an older couple who offered me their basement apartment. (By older I mean they were in

How Retro TV Shows and Video Games Resonate with College Students

The Retro Network

Retro TV shows and video games appeal to college students who are torn between academics and freedom. They’re reminded of simpler times and shared cultural experiences by these old kinds of entertainment. Don’t Forget about

The Impact of Streaming Services on Traditional Television and the Future of Broadcasting

The Retro Network

In the last decade, the rise of streaming services has revolutionized the way we consume television content. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu have disrupted traditional television broadcasting, profoundly altering the entertainment

History of Nickelodeon Part 1: Pinwheel 1983

Karen Flieger

Before Nickelodeon became the Nickelodeon 80’s kids know and love, it was called C3 or “The Pinwheel Channel”. It was part of an experiment from Warner Amex called Qube and was first tested in Columbus,

How Voyagers! Mixed History, Humor, and High‑Concept Adventure

Mickey Yarber

Voyagers! mixed history, heart, and lighthearted adventure as Phineas and Jeffrey leapt through time to set things right. Bright, fast, and endlessly charming, the short‑lived series remains a beloved early‑’80s cult favorite.

Looking Back at My So-Called Life

Stacey

Every person alive since TV became mainstream has a show that they would hand to aliens to show them what it was like to be a teenager. For me, that show is My So-Called Life. Let’s look at it with 25 years of hindsight.

5 Nearly Forgotten TV Shows

Mickey Yarber

Through the many years of television, there have been thousands of TV shows created. Usually, only the cream of the crop last for multiple seasons and go on to live vividly in the memories of

WWF and MTV: The Brawl to End it All

Kevin Decent

Way back in 1984, the World Wrestling Federation put on a three-hour show in their home arena, Madison Square Garden. The live event featured a battle royal plus all three men’s titles were defended.

“Dinner & A Movie” on TBS

Jeff Sheldon

“Beans and Cornbread had a fight… Beans knocked Cornbread out of sight!” All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the main competitor to WWE and preferred wrestling brand of yours truly, announced on January 5th, 2022, the company

15 Totally Awesome 90s Infomercials

Jeff Sheldon

I think it’s been pretty well established that I think of the 90s as the best decade. I think it’s also been pretty well established that I watched A LOT of television during that time.

RollerJam: Pro Wrestling on Wheels

Jeff Sheldon

RollerJam brought pro‑wrestling theatrics to the banked track, reviving roller derby in the late ’90s with hard hits, big personalities, and storylines that made every episode feel like a collision of sports, spectacle, and pure adrenaline.

Superbowl LVII: 10 Commercials with Retro Flair

Jason Gross

Superbowl LVII is almost here and numerous commercials have already been released. It seems advertising agencies have been leaning on nostalgia the past several years and 2023 will be no different. Some of the big

The Story Behind Irwin Allen’s Land of the Giants

Mickey Yarber

Today, the name Irwin Allen is usually linked to the blockbuster disaster films of the 1970s like The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno. But a decade earlier, Allen was known for something very different.

Back to the Campfire: Revisiting Are You Afraid of the Dark

Mickey Yarber

Are You Afraid of the Dark? turned simple campfire tales into unforgettable ’90s chills, blending kid‑friendly scares with cozy nostalgia. The Midnight Society’s stories still glow in memory, proving that the best frights were always shared in the dark.

Eerie, Indiana: The Short‑Lived Series That Left a Big, Strange Legacy

Mickey Yarber

Eerie, Indiana took suburban life and twisted it into something wonderfully strange, giving kids a weekly dose of mystery, humor, and small‑town weirdness. It became a cult favorite by proving that the strangest place in America might be right next door.

Retro Commercials: E.T. video game for Atari 2600 in 1982

OldSchool80s

I don’t know about you, but commercials can often take me back to my formative years as quickly as any song or movie can. That is why we will continue this semi-regular feature on ’80s commercials