* Nostalgia: "Airwolf" was a hit show in the 1980s, and many viewers have fond memories of it. Cable channels can capitalize on this nostalgia by attracting older viewers who grew up watching the show.
* Action and Adventure: The show's premise of a technologically advanced helicopter battling villains and engaging in high-stakes missions appeals to audiences who enjoy action and adventure.
* Relatively Low Production Costs: Reruns are cheap programming for cable channels. They don't need to spend money on new content, and they can still generate ad revenue from the reruns.
* Wide Audience Appeal: "Airwolf" had a relatively broad audience, meaning it appealed to a variety of viewers. This makes it a safe bet for cable channels looking to attract a large audience.
* Syndication: The show's original run on CBS was successful enough to garner a strong syndication market, meaning it was sold to other networks for re-airing, which often leads to continued popularity.
It's also worth noting that "Airwolf" is a classic example of a "guilty pleasure" show. Many people enjoy watching it even though they might not consider it to be high-quality television.
Overall, "Airwolf" continues to have a dedicated audience and offers cable channels a cost-effective way to fill programming slots.