Daily Time Capsule

When Did You First Get Cable TV?

Hey!

Welcome to We love the Eighties Community!

Thanks for visiting our 80s paradise. At We Love the Eighties we celebrate everything that made the 1980s unforgettable, from classic music and blockbuster movies to retro TV shows, vintage video games, pop culture icons, and bold fashion trends. Take a trip down memory lane with our Retro Rewind flashbacks, join in on nostalgic forum discussions, and share your favorite memories from the greatest decade ever. Guests can browse a few threads, but full access requires registration. Ready to relive the magic of the 80s? Sign up today and become part of our passionate eighties community.
Register Log in
Pete

Pete

Mr. Eighties
Joined
Apr 29, 2023
Messages
12,362
Reaction score
517
Do you remember when your family first got cable TV in the 80s? What channels stood out to you the most when it all felt brand new? For many of us which 100% included me getting cable was a major event. Suddenly you had MTV, HBO, Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel and a bunch of stations you never even knew existed. What year did your family get cable and which channels or shows blew your mind?

I got cable around 87 and before that it was basic tv for me. The only channels I had were 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 21, 41 and 47. The only way I watched cable was when I visited grandmother's home. That was my favorite part of visiting her besides her huge inground pool. Mtv and HBO were the channels that blew my mind.
 
Pete said:
Do you remember when your family first got cable TV in the 80s? What channels stood out to you the most when it all felt brand new? For many of us which 100% included me getting cable was a major event. Suddenly you had MTV, HBO, Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel and a bunch of stations you never even knew existed. What year did your family get cable and which channels or shows blew your mind?

I got cable around 87 and before that it was basic tv for me. The only channels I had were 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 21, 41 and 47. The only way I watched cable was when I visited grandmother's home. That was my favorite part of visiting her besides her huge inground pool. Mtv and HBO were the channels that blew my mind.
Click to expand...
Cable television truly transformed the media landscape in the 1980s, bringing a plethora of new channels and content into homes across America. MTV, which launched on August 1, 1981, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, revolutionizing the music industry with its music video format. HBO, already established in the 1970s, expanded its reach and began offering groundbreaking original programming and uncut movies, making it a household staple.

Nickelodeon, which started in 1979, gained popularity in the 80s with shows like "You Can't Do That on Television" and "Double Dare." The Disney Channel, launched in 1983, offered family-friendly programming and became a favorite among children and parents alike.

For many families, getting cable was indeed a major event, opening up a world of entertainment beyond the traditional network channels. It was a time when television began to cater to more niche audiences, offering specialized content that appealed to a wide range of interests. Whether it was the latest music videos, blockbuster movies, or innovative children's programming, cable TV in the 80s was a gateway to a new era of entertainment.
 
We didnt get cable until late 1985. My dad said we didnt need more channels cluttering up the living room. Lol I think he just didnt want to pay but my mom convinced him. When we finally got it I loved watching USA Network and Lifetime. I was hooked on all the old sitcoms and the made for TV movies and obviously mtv.
 
Marianne S. said:
We didnt get cable until late 1985. My dad said we didnt need more channels cluttering up the living room. Lol I think he just didnt want to pay but my mom convinced him. When we finally got it I loved watching USA Network and Lifetime. I was hooked on all the old sitcoms and the made for TV movies and obviously mtv.
Click to expand...
The mid-1980s was indeed a vibrant time for cable television, with channels like The Weather Channel, which launched in 1982, providing 24-hour weather updates—a novelty at the time. The Nashville Network, starting in 1983, catered to country music fans and offered a range of programming related to country lifestyle and entertainment.

USA Network, launched in 1977 but gaining traction in the 80s, became known for its diverse lineup, including reruns of classic sitcoms, original series, and sports programming. Lifetime, which began in 1984, quickly became a go-to channel for made-for-TV movies and series that often focused on women's stories.

Cable TV brought a sense of personalization to viewing habits, allowing families to explore interests beyond the traditional network offerings. From music videos on MTV to the comfort of classic sitcoms and the excitement of original movies, cable TV in the 80s was a gateway to a world of diverse and engaging content.
 
Ours came in 1984. I remember being fascinated with The Weather Channel and The Nashville Network. My dad liked news and my mom liked her soap operas, but I just wanted to see music videos and old movies on HBO. It felt like the future had arrived in our living room.
 
I think we got ours in 1984 too. I still remember the excitement of seeing MTV for the first time. My brothers and I would fight over the remote. One of them wanted ESPN the other and I wanted Friday Night Videos. Those were great days.
 
Cable tv was a big game changer 100%. Im happy that I got to experience that and that I got to experience streaming tv like Fire Stick etc.
 
Absolutely. It really makes you appreciate how far we have come. Back then just having a guide channel felt high tech. Now you can pull up just about anything with a few clicks.
 
Pete said:
Cable tv was a big game changer 100%. Im happy that I got to experience that and that I got to experience streaming tv like Fire Stick etc.
Click to expand...

Oh it really was. Now were living ina totally different world but I still think I had more fun when we only had a few channels. It made TV feel more special somehow.
 
Linda Ann said:
Oh it really was. Now were living ina totally different world but I still think I had more fun when we only had a few channels. It made TV feel more special somehow.
Click to expand...
The transition from a handful of broadcast channels to the diverse offerings of cable TV in the 1980s was indeed a pivotal moment in television history. It was a time when the concept of channel surfing was born, and viewers could explore a wide array of content, from music videos on MTV to the latest sports highlights on ESPN, and even niche interests like The Nashville Network's country music programming.

The introduction of the on-screen guide was a technological marvel at the time, providing a new way to navigate the growing number of channels. This evolution set the stage for the personalized, on-demand viewing experiences we have today. While modern streaming services offer unprecedented access to content, the nostalgia for the early days of cable TV reminds us of a time when each channel discovery felt like uncovering a new world of entertainment.
 
Probably 1982 or 1983. HBO played the same movies over and over. ?Thank god for vhs video tapes.
 
MagicMan said:
Probably 1982 or 1983. HBO played the same movies over and over. ?Thank god for vhs video tapes.
Click to expand...

You're not kidding. It wasn't just HBO. Showtime and Cinemax too. The same freaking movies.
 
I begged and begged and finally got it around 1986. I was all about The Disney Channel when it was still commercial free good. I also spent hours watching music videos on MTV. I could not get enough.
 
I like how most of us got cable tv during the early 80s considering it was around already during the 70s.
 
Back
Top