TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is, without a doubt, the best friend that classic cinema has on television. There are other great channels for old movies (links to schedules are to the right), but many mix in a fair amount of modern programming, and some even have commercials.

Turner Classic Movies is dedicated to the classics, offering diverse and innovative programming that meet the desires of the die-hard enthusiast while staying accessible to new audiences, providing more variety, commercial free.

TCM’s weekly program, “The Essentials”, is particularly designed to introduce a beloved and highly regarded classic to the unacquainted. Venerable classic film authority Robert Osborne shares anecdotes and inside information with a new co-host every season, providing the viewer with topical perspective (this season it’s Alec Baldwin!).

Although television is not the ideal format (as mentioned in the Theaters section), it is unreasonable, if not impossible, to view all the films you’d like to watch in the ideal setting of a movie theater. Of course, with today’s advanced technology it’s possible to have a pretty decent replica of a movie theater experience in your own home.

And with the arrivals of the studio-specific Fox Movie Channel and MGM Channel, maybe other old studios will follow suit (RKO, Columbia/Sony, Universal). Perhaps it’s just a matter of licensing and time.

Here’s hoping!