Bonanza a chance to fully develop before the show's abrupt cancellation in November 1972 (with last episode airing January 16, 1973). Many fans, as well as both Landon and Greene, felt that the Hoss character was essential, as he was a nurturing, empathetic soul who rounded out the all-male cast. For 14 years, the Cartwrights were the premier western family on American television and have been immensely popular on cable networks such as TV Land, INSP, Family Channel, and the Hallmark Channel. The series currently airs on Me-TV, TV Land, INSP, and Encore Westerns. TV Land airs "Bonanza" from only the
Bonanza first season to the 1969-1970 season. INSP first aired only selected first and second-season episodes of "Bonanza" and began to air the "Bonanza" Lost Episodes packages which contains episodes that originally aired from 1965-1973. Family Channel and the Hallmark Channel were two other channels that have also only aired the "Bonanza" Lost Episodes package. In October 2015, Me-TV additionally began airing the "Bonanza" Lost Episodes package. As of December 2016, Me-TV returned to airing the original episodes package. Ever since March 2018 Me-TV has been airing the Lost Episodes, wanting to play the entire series from beginning to end. "Bonanza"