“Everybody Loves Raymond” heads to MeTV

Rare pickup of 1990s/2000s sitcom for classic TV channel

In a surprising move, Weigel Broadcasting’s classic TV has acquired off-network rerun rights to former CBS hit Everybody Loves Raymond from CBS Media Ventures with airings scheduled for weeknights at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. CT and Sundays at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., starting October 13.  Outside of Saved By The Bell for E/I purposes, this marks the first 1990s/2000s sitcom to air on the channel, as MeTV usually focuses on off-network fare from the 1960s and 1970s.

Airings of Raymond will continue on Paramount-owned cable network TVLand, and available to stream on Peacock and Paramount+.

“What makes Everybody Loves Raymond special is that it is truly rooted in the timeless traditions of classic comedy, with standout characters, performances, writing, humor, heart and quality,” said Neal Sabin, vice-chairman of Weigel Broadcasting, owners of WCIU Chicago, WMLW/WDJT Milwaukee, and several multicast networks, including the recently-launched classic Western channel WEST.

Generally, MeTV avoids programming that debuted after 1980, though the network currently airs reruns of Mama’s Family (1983-84, 1986-90) and ran Full House (1987-95) for a brief time on Sunday afternoons. Much of the post-1980 programming Weigel Broadcasting acquired airs on their other multicast networks, including Heroes & Icons, MeTV +, and Catchy Comedy, which added Night Court reruns in 2023. Other post-1980s titles air on rivals Antenna TV, Rewind TV, Laff, and Cozi.

Raymond premiered on CBS in September 13, 1996 (a Friday) and despite a slow start, grew to become a powerhouse on CBS’ Monday night lineup, helping launch other hits such as Two And A Half Men. Raymond became the top-rated network sitcom for seven years running, earning 69 Emmy nominations, fifteen Emmy Awards with two Outstanding Comedy Series by the time it bowed out on May 16, 2005, capping off a nine-season, 210-episode run.

The sitcom made tremendous bank in syndication, as Raymond became the first sitcom CBS sold in the post-fin-syn era, with Eyemark Entertainment (now CBS Media Ventures) racking up $3 million per episode in its first cycle, with sales to several Tribune stations, including WGN-TV, where it ran in prime access and late night starting in 2001. In 2004, Fox-owned stations in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston outbid Tribune stations for a second syndicated cycle starting in March 2008. However, Raymond was an expensive bust for the station group, leading them to shift away from off-network fare (though Fox would later acquire Modern Family for its stations.) For its third syndicated cycle, Raymond shifted back to a few Tribune stations (including WGN) in 2013 and aired until 2016.

Raymond reruns aired on TBS from 2004 to 2021 and also found a second home on Nick at Nite and TV Land.

The Raymond announcement on Wednesday coincided with a 30th anniversary special planned by CBS, which reunites Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Monica Horan, and Madilyn Sweeten and Sullivan Sweeten to air November 24 at 8:30 p.m. CT and is produced by Fulwell Entertainment (Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts have passed away since the series ended.)  The series was originally produced by Worldwide Pants (David Letterman’s production company) and HBO Independent Productions.

You can see Raymond’s influence in a few comedies today, as in an episode of the CBS “hit” sitcom Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, where two episodes from last season closely resembled (or more likely, ripped off) several plot lines from Raymond, including one featuring feuding mothers-in-law. It’s too bad Georgie & Mandy lacks what made Raymond a quality, Emmy-winning sitcom.