How cable TV redefined the boob tube

Cable television, or cable TV, is a system which utilizes radio frequency signals passing through fiber optics or coaxial cables to deliver television broadcasts from the source to the individual television units of consumers.

Compared to traditional television which sends television broadcasts over the air and received by the individual television units with the use of antennae (more popularly known as "rabbit ears"), cable TV, even in its earliest forms, have the distinct advantage of providing better reception. This is because cable TV, with its direct delivery of broadcasts to individual TV units, has removed factors like "weak signals" and "poor transmitter locations" out of the television broadcast equation.

Now that consumers are getting better quality television images through their cable TV connections, it was just a matter of time before consumers started clamoring for more program variety and wider choices of television shows. Recognizing this as an opportunity to fill this yet unacknowledged need in the market, cable TV companies started targeting specific television viewers by offering channel packages containing shows directed towards the specific interests of the target market. This is why cable companies now offer channel packages featuring shows and movies with a common theme, say, action for example. In addition, because cable TV programming is not subject to the usual content restrictions, consumers can watch whatever they want. This is because cable TV is a closed system, meaning only its subscribers can watch whatever they company chooses to show. Regulations on sexual content or excessive violence do not apply to cable TV. As long as the subscriber is informed of the content of the shows being featured, everything is fine.

Gone are the days when everyone who owns a TV watches the same shows at the same time. With the advent of cable TV, the average television viewer is given better show images and a wider array of choices.


Mel writes about cable tv , buy movies and other entertainment topics.