Definition

• Cable television is system of optical fibers or coaxial cables that transmit radio frequency signals, thus enabling consumers to receive television broadcasts without a traditional antenna. In contrast to cable, traditional television broadcasting relied on the reception of radio waves.
  
  

Time Frame

• In the United States, cable systems began to grow substantially in the 1950s and '60s. An estimated 70 cable systems were providing service in 1952, and this number grew to about 800 systems within the next 10 years.
  
  

Types

• The decades to follow would involve a variety of innovations to the cable industry, including satellite delivery, wireless cable services, digital cable and broadband networks.
  
  

Fun facts

• Cable service is offered in numerous other countries around the world, including Austria, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Most cable systems offer a variety of programming, such as news, weather, movies, sporting events and many other broadcasts meant to inform and entertain viewers. Additionally, many of these cable systems now provide high-speed Internet access and telephone services to consumers.
  
  

Considerations

• Negative issues impacting the cable industry include the rising cost to consumers for subscribing to the service. Most cable consumers around the world have access to only one cable provider, thus eliminating any competition within the market. Many of these cable providers have established a monopoly on the market, thus enabling them to charge consumers at a rate that is often inflated.