I have been watching The X Files (1993-2002) on Hulu and notice that it is in widescreen format. I doubt the original was in widescreen.
Other old TV programs in some venues are simply zoomed up and cropped to fit the widescreen format. That deletes a lot of peripheral content.
The software technology is vastly improving the quality of older programs. And those older programs seem to be getting a significant amount of play. I watch more of them than the newer TV programs.
***Other old TV programs in some venues are simply zoomed up and cropped to fit the widescreen format.***
Remember 1968 when GONE WITH THE WIND was re-released in wide screen? Trimmed at top and bottom some of the soldiers lost their heads.