Was the Telecommunications Act of 1996 the "death-knell" for cable television - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 02-13-2022, 04:39 AM

At least in terms of having so much original and interesting content and pushing some boundaries that ABC, CBS, and NBC wouldn't dare go. Cable TV simply put, used to be genuinely provocative and creative because it wasn't under the hands of the FCC and many cable networks were niche and catered to genres. Now, it seems that Netflix, Amazon, Apple, HBO Max, YouTube, etc. serve the same function of creator-driven content without annoying censors.

But when the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was signed, all these cable networks (and many independent radio stations) got quickly bought out by major corporations and became shadows of their former selves. Whether it be, A&E, Bravo, MTV, Nickelodeon, USA Network, Sci-Fi, The Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, and TLC.

Reinhold_Weege · 02-13-2022, 10:52 AM

Absolutely!

Alan Brady's Hair · 02-13-2022, 11:17 AM

Hopeless as always: "death knell."

TMC · 03-06-2022, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

Hopeless as always: "death knell."

How exactly does a simple typo make me "hopeless as always", as if you're saying that I have a history of doing this?

RetroGuy2000 · 03-06-2022, 05:20 AM

The Telecommunications Act also added two minutes of commercials to every half hour of TV, meaning two minutes of every old show would be chopped out, and newer shows would run for shorter lengths, forcing Americans to watch thousands of additional commercials every year.

It was one of the reasons I subscribed (or kept) Dish Network all these years: the built-in DVR lets me record shows and then fast-forward through commercials. I never ended up watching the thousands of additional commercials every year.

jimpickens · 03-06-2022, 05:40 AM

Another good reason to hate Bill Clinton for enacting this horrendous law.

RetroGuy2000 · 03-06-2022, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimpickens

Another good reason to hate Bill Clinton for enacting this horrendous law.

Yup.

LUNCH · 03-06-2022, 04:43 PM

It also ruined the networks in addition to cable. It was a major factor in ruining television as a whole.

LUNCH · 03-06-2022, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The Telecommunications Act also added two minutes of commercials to every half hour of TV, meaning two minutes of every old show would be chopped out, and newer shows would run for shorter lengths, forcing Americans to watch thousands of additional commercials every year. .

It actually added a lot more than 2 minutes of commercials per half hour. If channels want to they can show only commercials because of it. And some of them are almost there. In addition it allowed every unsavory outfit to be allowed to advertise.

Jamey Greek · 03-07-2022, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimpickens

Another good reason to hate Bill Clinton for enacting this horrendous law.

One reason why I do not li!me him and did not vote for his old lady in 2016.

jimpickens · 03-07-2022, 11:37 PM

Yep had to make sure he paid back the big three and the major studios for the whitewash job they were doing in regards to him.

02-13-2022, 04:39 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,621	Was the Telecommunications Act of 1996 the "death-knell" for cable television At least in terms of having so much original and interesting content and pushing some boundaries that ABC, CBS, and NBC wouldn't dare go. Cable TV simply put, used to be genuinely provocative and creative because it wasn't under the hands of the FCC and many cable networks were niche and catered to genres. Now, it seems that Netflix, Amazon, Apple, HBO Max, YouTube, etc. serve the same function of creator-driven content without annoying censors. But when the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was signed, all these cable networks (and many independent radio stations) got quickly bought out by major corporations and became shadows of their former selves. Whether it be, A&E, Bravo, MTV, Nickelodeon, USA Network, Sci-Fi, The Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, and TLC.
	Last edited by TMC; 02-13-2022 at 04:46 PM.

03-06-2022, 05:20 AM	#5
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	The Telecommunications Act also added two minutes of commercials to every half hour of TV, meaning two minutes of every old show would be chopped out, and newer shows would run for shorter lengths, forcing Americans to watch thousands of additional commercials every year. It was one of the reasons I subscribed (or kept) Dish Network all these years: the built-in DVR lets me record shows and then fast-forward through commercials. I never ended up watching the thousands of additional commercials every year.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

02-13-2022, 10:52 AM	#2
Reinhold_Weege Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 15, 2020 Posts: 231	Absolutely!

02-13-2022, 11:17 AM	#3
Alan Brady's Hair Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 30, 2014 Posts: 1,825	Hopeless as always: "death knell."

03-06-2022, 05:40 AM	#6
jimpickens Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2007 Location: weston,wv Posts: 1,389	Another good reason to hate Bill Clinton for enacting this horrendous law.

03-06-2022, 04:43 PM	#8
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	It also ruined the networks in addition to cable. It was a major factor in ruining television as a whole.

03-07-2022, 11:37 PM	#11
jimpickens Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2007 Location: weston,wv Posts: 1,389	Yep had to make sure he paid back the big three and the major studios for the whitewash job they were doing in regards to him.