The 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz is one of the most, if not the most, iconic movies in Hollywood history. But it wasn’t the silver screen that made it so revered. It was its yearly airings on national television that made it an indelible part of American culture. The Wizard of Oz began airing on CBS in 1956, and drew in massive viewership. It continued to air yearly on TV for the next forty years, airing on CBS for the last time in 1998. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will return to broadcast TV for the first time in 28 years, airing on MeTV this fall.
The cinematic musical classic will air multiple times during primetime hours and throughout October as part of MeTV’s Halloween BOO-Nanza. This is the network’s monthlong celebration of classic horror, sci-fi, and family-friendly favorite films. This included a marquee Saturday night showcase hosted by horror host Svengoolie. Thanks to the massive success of Wicked, the original The Wizard of Oz has seen a resurgence of interest. Although it hasn’t appeared on broadcast television since 1998, it did become a staple of cable television. In a statement, MeTV’s Neal Sabin said, “The Wizard of Oz is more than a movie. It is a shared American experience that was defined by the annual tradition of gathering around the television set.” MeTV will present the classic film without any edits.
Although television is undoubtedly the reason for Oz’s cultural longevity, it’s a bit of a myth that The Wizard of Oz flopped in theaters. It was very popular with audiences, and the Academy even awarded Judy Garland a special Oscar for the film. However, it was also very expensive to produce, so it didn’t start earning money until its theatrical re-release. But without a doubt, TV helped make The Wizard of Oz what it is today. So it’s great that it’s returning home, so to speak. As Dorothy Gale once said, There’s no place like home.