Cable Television

Roots of Cable Cable companies deliver pictures by wires, often hung on utility poles. Cable companies deliver pictures by wires, often hung on utility poles. They have taken millions of viewers that deliver programming over the air. They have taken millions of viewers that deliver programming over the air. Cable and over-air broadcasters are now rivals, but have not always been so. Cable and over-air broadcasters are now rivals, but have not always been so.

Roots of Cable In the early 1950s, networks and local affiliates only reached major cities. In the early 1950s, networks and local affiliates only reached major cities. Small towns began putting antennas on nearby hilltops to get television signals from the nearest city. Small towns began putting antennas on nearby hilltops to get television signals from the nearest city. These local cable television systems ran a cable into town stretched wires from telephone poles to deliver pictures to houses from the hilltop antennas. These local cable television systems ran a cable into town stretched wires from telephone poles to deliver pictures to houses from the hilltop antennas.

HBO In 1975, Gerald Levin took over HBO. They began offering movies and special events (such as boxing) to local cable systems for subscribers willing to pay an extra fee. In 1975, Gerald Levin took over HBO. They began offering movies and special events (such as boxing) to local cable systems for subscribers willing to pay an extra fee.

Ted Turner Owner of TBS – He put his channel on satellite and many cable systems wanted to sign-up for the channel. Owner of TBS – He put his channel on satellite and many cable systems wanted to sign-up for the channel. In 1980, Turner put together CNN, a 24- hour news service In 1980, Turner put together CNN, a 24- hour news service

Growth of Cable At first, viewership was low of HBO, as it only reached 265,000 homes. At first, viewership was low of HBO, as it only reached 265,000 homes. New networks began springing up, such as CNN Headline News, TNT, and ESPN New networks began springing up, such as CNN Headline News, TNT, and ESPN

Cable Advertising Leading Cable Networks in Advertising: Leading Cable Networks in Advertising: ESPN - $1 billion MTV - $507 million TNN - $308 million

Television Entertainment Early Programming In the early days, with video-tape yet to be invented, almost everything was broadcast live In the early days, with video-tape yet to be invented, almost everything was broadcast live In 1951, I Love Lucy was important and a hit because it was not transmitted live, multiple cameras filmed several takes and they chose the best one. In 1951, I Love Lucy was important and a hit because it was not transmitted live, multiple cameras filmed several takes and they chose the best one.