1999 – Discovery launched a full-time analog health channel, Discovery Health Channel. Its companion website averaged 400,000 page views per week during its debut month. Visit the Discovery Health Channel’s website »
1998 – The FCC tightened existing program-access rules in an effort to help direct-broadcast satellite, wireless cable, and private cable providers compete against franchise cable companies. Fines for violations could be up to $75,000 for a single violation, and victims can collect damages when programmers willfully violate the rules.
1998 – PAX TV, which is primarily owned by Paxson Communications, launched in 1998 as a network dedicated to family-oriented programming. Its line-up contains little or no sex, violence, or strong language. In July 2005, the network changed its name to the i Network. The new name reflects their network programming strategy, which is to provide an independent broadcast platform for producers and syndicators who desire to reach a national audience. Visit i’s website »
1996 – In the week of August 12, basic cable prime time ratings rose to a record 41 share, topping for the first time the aggregate share of the three broadcast networks which turned in a 37 share, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
1996 – The FCC was tasked with implementing scores of different proceedings from the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and approved an interconnection order to facilitate cable operator entry into telephony. However, in an appeal from the Regional Bell Operating Companies, a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in St. Louis halted the FCC order that sought to open RBOC telephone markets to competition.
1981 – At midnight on August 1st, 1981 MTV, Music Television, began with The Buggles’ Video Killed the Radio Star. The event started a pop-culture phenomenon. MTV, originally devoted to popular rock music videos, has evolved into a media outlet for a variety of programming aimed at adolescents and young adults. Visit MTV’s website »
1981 – The Eternal World Television Network launched in 1981, broadcasting 24-hour Catholic religious programming. The originator of EWTN, Mother Angelica, founded Our Lady of Angels Monastery near Birmingham, Alabama and began developing short written religious teachings. As these short books became more popular, Mother Angelica's fellow nuns looked to technology to enable worldwide distribution. Visit EWTN’s website »
1981 – Consumer News and Consumer Shopping Guide was launched by Vector Enterprises. It featured 100 alphanumeric frames to research local supermarket prices each week and centrally assembled the information for national distribution on a system by system basis.
1980 – Since its launch in 1980, Cinemax has delivered exclusive hit movies with Hollywood premieres you won't find anywhere else. Cinemax shows the most movies on pay TV, with more current releases, all-time favorites, and independents films. Movie lovers from coast-to-coast turn to Cinemax for big screen entertainment. Visit Cinemax’s website » |
