Cable television programming is often divided between basic and
premium programming. Basic cable TV networks are generally transmitted
without any
scrambling
or other encryption methods and thus anyone connected to the cable TV
system can receive them. Basic cable networks receive at least some
funding through "per-subscriber fees," fees paid by the cable TV systems
for the right to include the network in its channel lineup. Most basic
cable TV networks also include advertising to supplement the fees, since
their programming costs typically are not covered by per-subscriber
fees alone.
The first basic cable network, launched via satellite in 1976, was Ted Turner's superstation,
WTBS, subsequently known as "the TBS Superstation". A cable
superstation
is defined as a popular broadcast station whose signal has been
uplinked to satellite for redistribution by local cable systems outside
the station's local and regional coverage area.
The second basic cable network was televangelist Pat Robertson's CBN
Cable, a satellite service he launched as a more efficient way to
distribute the programming of his Christian Broadcasting Network. For
years, CBN Cable mixed religious programming with classic television
reruns to fill out its 24-hour schedule. The network changed its name to
The Family Channel in the 1980s, and after its sale to
ABC was renamed
ABC Family.
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