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Broadcast/Cable TV History - 1973-74

1973-00-00 TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) was launched in Los Angeles.

1973-04-01 Star Channel (PAY), cable company franchised, was launched on some systems.

1973-11-05 Channel 58 (public) was launched in Los Angeles.

1974-00-00 Z Channel (PAY) was launched on some Los Angeles cable systems.

1974-00-00 The Appalachain Educational Satellite Project was lauunched on satellite for fifteen classroom sites.

1974-00-00 the first PTL service was launched on a local TV station in Charlotte.

1974-00-00 Community Video Center public access channel debut in San Diego.

1974-04-13 Westar 1 was launched; it was America's first domestic and commercially launched geostationary communications satellite.

1974-05-05 Channel 68 (public) was launched in Los Angeles.

Cable History Highlights For This Year Range

In 1973, Thirty-five channel (50-300 MHz) solid state amplifiers and converters become the industry standard for cable construction and operation. This would help cable utilize the portions of the frequency spectrum between channels 6 and 7 and above channel 13 for cablecasting more channels on a single cable wire. The additional channels would be better known today as channels 14-36 (some were once named the letters A to W).

On June 18, 1973, (correct date), TelePrompTer, HBO and Scientific-Atlanta demonstrate satellite-delivered programming with the Earnie Shavers vs. Jimmy Ellis fight from Madison Square Garden.

In 1973, Congress passes anti-blackout legislation which requires that sold-out games in professional football, baseball, basketball and hockey be made available for over the air television, rather than cable or Pay TV.

In 1973, The FCC approves applications to establish domestic communications satellites, a crucial link in cable program distribution.

Source: The Cable Center website: Cable History Timeline: http://www.cablecenter.org/resources/exhibits/cable-history-timeline.html

Source of date for Shavers vs. Ellis fight: Wikipedia.

In 1973 or before, local cable systems began operating in-house pay movie channels. One of the companies, Gridtronics to name one known company, was a pay television service that delivered videotaped movies to cable systems throughout the United States in the years before pay channels would be transmitted nationally via satellite.

Lineups as of the end of the year

San Diego/Tijuana TV

6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 39, CVC, ITV, MC2, Channel 100

Los Anglees TV

2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46, 52, 58, 68, Z Channel

Other Area TV

3 (Santa Barbara), 6 (San Luis Obispo), 12 (Santa Maria), 24 (San Bernadino), 30 (San Bernadino), 36 (Palm Springs), 42 (Palm Springs), 50 (Orange County),

Satellite TV (for the consumer end of the cable system)

none yet

Broadcast/Cable TV History - 1973-74

Cable History Highlights For This Year Range

Lineups as of the end of the year

San Diego/Tijuana TV

Los Anglees TV

Other Area TV

Satellite TV (for the consumer end of the cable system)

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