Explain the Turner Classic Movies Business Model

[turkeysandwich]

I love watching TCM, as I love old movies, but for the life of me I can't understand how they make enough money to be in business for nearly 20 years. They have no commercials, the only way they make money I assume is though fees per subscriber from cable companies, but every channel on basic cable has that and they require commercials to stay in business. I'm sure originally Ted Turner was fine using it as a write off, but I doubt a corporation like Time Warner would be willign to do that. PBS gets tons of government money and donations, but always seem to be on the brink of going under. I can't imagine HBO switching to being a non-pay channel and staying in business.

Can anyone explain what's going one here?

[Cranjis McBasketball]

I could be totally wrong, but I think Turner owns the rights to anything they show on there.

So probably make money through lease backs.

[Deleted]

Indeed, they own the movies they air on it.

Plus I've never watched TCM, because it's on a higher-tier cable level that I've ever paid for. So I reckon that's the big part of it.

[Red Impact]

It's likely a very cheap channel to run, and when Turner Broadcasting System negotiates with cable companies, it's probably bundled in with all the other Turner stations for a fee that's profitable for the bundle.

[Ultimo Gallos]

Also they have their website where they sell dvds.