Some of the best and longest running TV shows have been Westerns, yet there hasn't been one on the air for years and years. Why do you think that is?

A few of the great ones:

Bonanza
Gunsmoke
Rawhide
Wagon Train

Ratings.......plain and simple!!!

Which is why it is great to have these shows on channels like TV LAND etc..... :)

Naturally, all programming is driven by ratings. Making $$ is the name of the game. But why don't westerns drive the ratings anymore??

I, for one, would love another good western on the air.

Yep....I would also but it seems as if the general audience is not interested in westerns any longer!!!! The Young Riders was a great series for the 90's....Lonesome Dove was one of the highest or the highest rated mini-series of all time!!!! Return to Lonesome Dove was great also!!! I would like to see them produce more epic westerns into mini-series as they did with Lonesome Dove!!! :)

The Lonesome Dove series was successful, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman had a very loyal following and CBS drew a lot of criticism for canceling it. In my opinion, a fresh western could work.