They were 100% better than the Lifetime and Hallmark TV movies of today, because back then, the 3 major networks (ABC, NBC & CBS) were constantly making TV movies on a weekly basis. When the major networks made TV movies everything about them was better- the budget, the script, the locations, the star-power, etc.
sharePreach it, sister! I agree with you 100%!
I think what's happened is that television as a medium has spread itself so thin, but quality is running low, because there isn't enough star power or good script's in the world to supplement all the channel space that we now have to fill. Thus, we end up with several forgettable films, rather than a few very memorable films that we would have had before.
Back in the 1970s, 80s, and part of the 90s, the 3 main network really were the 3 main networks -- so they really didn't have much competition, and they had their pick of the talent in the industry. In other words, there was more to go around, because it wasn't being thinly by the different channels.
While I do like the concept of having several niche TV networks, I think that in the grand scheme of things, it has only served to deplete the medium of television, making it weaker with each new ship (station) it must uphold.
Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize!