Mecum TV

Mecum TV is the televised heartbeat of the Mecum Auctions empire, which means most of its airtime is devoted to live auction coverage of classic and collector cars. There's a strange rhythm to it. Hours of camera shots panning across chrome bumpers, auctioneers rattling into the mic, and bidders flashing numbered paddles. It's not appointment television in the usual sense. You don't watch for plot twists, you watch for the occasional barn-find surprise or a '70s muscle car commanding an absurd price. The production has a bare-bones feel, as if they simply aimed cameras at the showroom floor and let the auction do the talking. That's both the charm and the limitation. For true car enthusiasts, it's mesmerizing background viewing. For everyone else, it's a test of patience. As far as general TV from the United States goes, this is about as specialized as it gets. If you've ever wondered what happens when a TV network decides to broadcast a car auction for eleven straight hours, Mecum TV will answer that question. Just don't expect a script.