What was the first successful cable network? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 01-22-2017, 04:03 AM

Which cable network was the first to put a dent in the audience held by the ABC-CBS-NBC triumvirate?

Coffeecup · 01-24-2017, 09:51 PM

My guess is Fox and wasn't that in the mid 1980's.

TMC · 01-24-2017, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

My guess is Fox and wasn't that in the mid 1980's.

I mean stuff like MTV, USA Network, TBS/TNT, or HBO since Fox is still technically, a broadcast network like the "Big Three".

Mr. Television · 01-24-2017, 10:40 PM

I know TBS and HBO were the first cable networks I got in the late 70's. That was before the other networks were even thought of.

treky · 01-25-2017, 01:26 AM

I don't know, my guess would be-HBO?

AMackII · 01-25-2017, 08:19 AM

i"m guessing either HBO, ESPN, MTV, Disney Channel or Discovery Channel

MrCleveland · 01-26-2017, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

I don't know about making a dent, but WTBS, WGN, and WWOR were early "superstations" largely revolving around baseball broadcasts. WUAB in Cleveland was another early attempt at a superstation, but didn't last so long.

I heard WUAB was going to be a Superstation, but now it plays mostly infomercials.

Now WBNX has the edge over WUAB since they now have the CW. I dunno if a Superstation can exist today, because if so... WBNX should be a nominee.

And for cable stations... HBO is the first successful cable station.

factsoflife · 01-26-2017, 08:43 PM

I don't know for sure, but it seems like WTBS (TBS Superstation) is the answer you are looking for. At least in terms of being one of the earliest cable stations.

But if you are referring to the more recent trend of cable network programming original programming the answer is likely HBO or USA Network. USA Network as far as I can remember was one of the earliest cable networks to develop their own original programming meant to take viewers away from the big four broadcasters. HBO as a premium station was also one of the earliest, but often targeted a different audience than the big three.

king of comedy · 01-26-2017, 10:40 PM

Was there one called WHT?

treky · 01-27-2017, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

I don't know about making a dent, but WTBS, WGN, and WWOR were early "superstations" largely revolving around baseball broadcasts. WUAB in Cleveland was another early attempt at a superstation, but didn't last so long.

what's a "superstation"?

snowpeck · 01-27-2017, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

what's a "superstation"?

A local station that broadcast its signal to the entire country via satellite. WTBS (later just TBS) and WGN are the best known examples.

jimpickens · 02-02-2017, 05:48 AM

HBO

8traxrule · 02-12-2017, 08:26 AM

Besides HBO (which started in 1972) probably CNN, which started in 1980- though I've NEVER accepted having to watch commercials on a channel I'm already paying for.

01-22-2017, 04:03 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,621	What was the first successful cable network? Which cable network was the first to put a dent in the audience held by the ABC-CBS-NBC triumvirate?

01-24-2017, 10:40 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I know TBS and HBO were the first cable networks I got in the late 70's. That was before the other networks were even thought of.
	__________________ Sonny

01-25-2017, 01:26 AM	#5
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I don't know, my guess would be-HBO?
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

01-26-2017, 08:43 PM	#8
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,744	I don't know for sure, but it seems like WTBS (TBS Superstation) is the answer you are looking for. At least in terms of being one of the earliest cable stations. But if you are referring to the more recent trend of cable network programming original programming the answer is likely HBO or USA Network. USA Network as far as I can remember was one of the earliest cable networks to develop their own original programming meant to take viewers away from the big four broadcasters. HBO as a premium station was also one of the earliest, but often targeted a different audience than the big three.
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

01-24-2017, 09:51 PM	#2
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,181	My guess is Fox and wasn't that in the mid 1980's.

01-25-2017, 08:19 AM	#6
AMackII Member Forum Star Join Date: Oct 23, 2015 Location: St. Louis Posts: 17,215	i"m guessing either HBO, ESPN, MTV, Disney Channel or Discovery Channel

01-26-2017, 10:40 PM	#9
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	Was there one called WHT?

02-02-2017, 05:48 AM	#12
jimpickens Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2007 Location: weston,wv Posts: 1,389	HBO

02-12-2017, 08:26 AM	#13
8traxrule Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 23, 2016 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 15	Besides HBO (which started in 1972) probably CNN, which started in 1980- though I've NEVER accepted having to watch commercials on a channel I'm already paying for.