Cable television is similar to traditional broadcast television, but with cable TV the signals are transmitted through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers instead of through the air via radio waves received through an antenna. Although the origins of cable broadcasting go back to radio programming distributed by primitive cables in some European cities as early as 1924, true cable television broadcasting got started in the U.S. back in 1948 in areas where over-the-air reception was restricted by long distance from transmitters or mountainous terrain that blocked the transmissions. The first cable TV systems employed large community antennas that were used to gather the signals and then run through a hard cable to individual homes. By the 1950s there were only four television networks broadcasting in the United States and by the early 1990s cable television was available to nearly half the homes in the United States.
Today, things are much different and U.S. cable systems now deliver hundreds of different channels to over 60 million American homes. Most modern televisions are now cable-ready and have a cable television tuner capable of receiving cable TV already built-in that is delivered as an analog signal. With cable transmission, services in addition to broadcast television may also be included in the signal package like FM radio programming, high-speed Internet connections, telephone services, and other non-television options. Today there are hundreds of different cable companies that provide cable converters to process the digital TV signals for a fee that varies according to region and country they are in. Cable television broadcasting is now widespread in North America, Europe, Australia and East Asia, and it is rapidly gaining ground in many other countries in South America and the Middle East. In those developing areas of the world with sparse populations where it is not affordable to lay hard cables, microwave-based "wireless cable" systems are used instead.
If you are looking for cable companies in your area or simply want more information about home cable television service, cabletelevision.com is your comprehensive online resource for comparisons of cable and satellite TV providers, the latest information on new TV technologies, and tips for obtaining the best television service for your lifestyle and budget. When choosing a television cable provider, your options are usually governed by four main considerations; where you live, what programming you desire, the technology you’ll need and last but not least, the budget you have to work with. cabletelevision.com will help you examine the various infrastructure fees, taxes, equipment fees, and monthly rates that will ultimately affect the type of service and the provider you need and can afford.
cabletelevision.com is the most comprehensive resource on the Web created specifically for people who are searching for more information about cable television service and cable television providers, as well as info on satellite TV, online TV, HD programming and much more. Your search is over when you bookmark cabletelevision.com as your one-stop cable television resource on the Web today.
Featured Categories
Recent Articles
- Making Cable TV MobileAlthough television technology continues to march forward, choosing just one single provider or one single device to handle all of your TV watching ...
- Find Cable Providers in My AreaWhether you are looking for a cable television provider or a cable Internet provider, there are many options available to meet your needs these ...
