You’re right. I guess I was remembering premium channels and some niche channels that were cable-only. Most channels available on early cable were just piping non-local broadcast channels down a cable.
Basic cable has always had commercials along with the over the air channels. Premium channels didn’t.
dogslayeggs@lemmy.world 6 months ago
Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 6 months ago
Yep, cable was first used to allow people to watch the same channels that were available over the air just from a more locations than what was available via antenna at their home (and with better reception), so it had the same commercials.
Premium channels were commercial-less for 7 or 9 years (can’t remember exactly) before the first premium channel decided to start running adverts.
BowtiesAreCool@lemmy.world 6 months ago
There also used to be product placement ads during the shows too. I feel like that’s also more insidious when Jed Clampett and Granny are telling you every episode to smoke a Winston and eat Kellogg’s.