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Life in the USA American Culture Television
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Cable Television
Cable Television is a rapidly expanding segment of the industry. Local cable companies use large satellite dishes to receive all kinds of programming, then sell the cable service directly to homes for a monthly fee. Basic cable service will include all the network and public stations (though with much better reception because of the cable hookup) and many cable-only stations that the local cable company offers for no extra charge for the regular monthly fee. These will vary depending on the local cable company. Premium channels, like the movie channels described above, certain sports channels, and even some foreign language channels, will also be available for an extra monthly fee. “Pay-per-view” movies and special sporting events are also available for a one-time charge per viewing. Cable programming is extremely varied. The Discovery Channel, for example, shows nature shows and documentaries, while History Channel tells us how we got here. Arts and Entertainment (A&E) shows various documentaries, dramas and performing arts programs. The Disney Channel has programs geared for children and wholesome family audiences. Nickelodeon is largely children's programming. Animal Planet is 100% animals, while House and Garden covers home issues. Dozens of other specialized networks, from country music to prayer, exist around the country. In any local area, the local cable company will offer some but rarely all of them. The cable channels with the greatest impact, however, are parts of Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting System. Turner's Cable News Network (CNN) has the most comprehensive news coverage in the country. Turner's other national stations, TBS and TNT show programs from Turner's inventory of thousands of classic American films of the past. Satellite dish TV systems are becoming more common. Houses with satellite dishes can receive hundreds of channels directly from satellites orbiting in outer space, although they may have to pay for a descrambler to receive certain pay stations. Public access cable exists in all communities. Many of these programs are produced by amateurs or community affairs groups on a local level. They can be tedious or interesting, depending on your perspective.
Ethnic groups often have television programming in various languages for certain hours of
the day. These programs are shown on UHF broadcast stations, some public stations and on
some public access cable channels. They are easiest to access if you have cable service.
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