Unlike broadcast television, cable television's origins were unportentous: known as CATV (Community Antenna Television), cable was first used to deliver a clear signal to rural communities. At the time, a CATV system generally consisted of a single large antenna mounted in a high, clear area to receive signals from distant broadcasters. Cables were fed to the houses in the community, usually delivering two or three channels. In the mid-1960s, new technology allowed for up to twelve channels to be carried through a single cable. In order to fill these new channels, cable operators began to import television signals from more distant sources, allowing viewers to watch stations from large cities and neighboring states. With access to a wider variety of stations, the demand for cable increased.

Apart from dramatically improved reception, cable television held the capacity for educational, cultural, and community service, since it was...