Variety: TCM Warns Viewers of Potential Disruptions as Classic Movie Channel Upgrades its Broadcasting Technology

Story from Variety:

If you’re a fan of Turner Classic Movies, you may experience some interruptions in the coming weeks.

TCM, the Warner Bros. Discovery owned cabler that specializes in vintage films, released a video statement Friday delivered by host Ben Mankiewicz asking viewers to “pardon our digital dust” as TCM prepares to upgrade and expand its broadcasting operations. That may mean interruptions for fans trying to get their fill of golden age cinema, he warned.

“The best fans and the best movies deserve the best service. So to ensure TCM’s on-air experience is reliable and smooth for the foreseeable future, we are upgrading our broadcasting operations,” Mankiewicz said. “You might notice some interruptions while we go through this process, so please, bear with us.”

Mankiewicz, who initially worked as an on-camera reporter and news anchor, joined the network in 2003. He first shared his hosting duties with famed TCM host Robert Osborne before fully taking over after Osborne retired in 2016. The same year, Tiffany Vasquez was hired as TCM’s first female host. Her tenure was short-lived, only lasting until 2018 when two new hosts in Alicia Malone and Dave Karger were hired in her place. A year later, Jacqueline Stewart was hired as TCM’s first Black host.

TCM was launched in 1994 by Ted Turner. After a botched purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Turner had to sell off pieces of the golden age film studio, leaving him with only their broadcasting station, WTBS, and the MGM film library, which became the foundation of TCM’s early programming.