According to a press release issued by TV Land today (available here via the futon critic), the two-night “Mail Call” marathon broadcast this past weekend (November 10th-11) averaged over 1 million viewers, which was a 79% increase of the cable channel’s year ago performance. The marathon also saw gains in several demographics, including adults 25-54 and adults 40-54.

A two-night marathon of M*A*S*H episodes begins tonight on TV Land, starting at 9:00PM ET and running until 1:30AM. The marathon, called “M*A*S*H Mail Call,” will consist of episodes that involve characters writing letters home. A total of nine episodes will air tonight, with another nine airing tomorrow from 9:00PM to 1:30AM. A complete listing is available here, from the Sitcoms Online message board. Be sure to check your local listings.

TV Land, a cable channel in the United States, will begin a week-long celebration of M*A*S*H‘s 35th anniversary (September 17th, 1972 – September 17th, 2008) tonight at 8:00PM ET. Another four hours will air tomorrow from 8:00PM ET to 12:00AM ET, followed by another four hours on Monday, September 17th, including the pilot episode at 8:00PM ET to coincide with the exact date and time of the pilot’s original broadcast. The celebration will continue through Friday, September 21st. Check the marathon schedule here.

And be sure to check back on Monday when M*A*SH, Finest Kind presents a selection of rare promotional images used to publicize the premiere of M*A*S*H way back in September of 1972, including an original CBS press release for the pilot episode.