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Onramp · 01-11-2017, 22:37

Do any of you remember the original CATV systems that were put up in the 70s and 80s? Do you remember who your provider was or what channels you had?

I think the one we had was installed by the local authority to get around the fact that the new housing estate (mid 70s) was built behind an ironstone hill, which effectively blocked the terrestrial signal. I am assuming they put an antenna on the top of that hill (there's a mast there with a pair of antennae pointed at the TV tower).

When they expanded the estate, they applied a "no external aerials" rule to the area and the basic system was extended to the new homes. In '91, the system was sold (I think) to "County Cable", who presumably linked that segment of the network up to another small cable company, which was operating where the current hubsite is now and who had a satellite dish in their yard.

They added these satellite channels (just a few) and began to charge for the service. The aerial restriction was lifted and we had a TV aerial installed. For about a year though, they allowed everyone to view the premium content before eventually disconnecting those that didn't want to continue subscribing. I think we had Sky Channel, MTV, Children's Channel and a few others.

Do any of you remember something similar in your areas?

01-11-2017, 22:37	#1
Onramp Inactive Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 210	Old CATV systems (70s/80s) Do any of you remember the original CATV systems that were put up in the 70s and 80s? Do you remember who your provider was or what channels you had? I think the one we had was installed by the local authority to get around the fact that the new housing estate (mid 70s) was built behind an ironstone hill, which effectively blocked the terrestrial signal. I am assuming they put an antenna on the top of that hill (there's a mast there with a pair of antennae pointed at the TV tower). When they expanded the estate, they applied a "no external aerials" rule to the area and the basic system was extended to the new homes. In '91, the system was sold (I think) to "County Cable", who presumably linked that segment of the network up to another small cable company, which was operating where the current hubsite is now and who had a satellite dish in their yard. They added these satellite channels (just a few) and began to charge for the service. The aerial restriction was lifted and we had a TV aerial installed. For about a year though, they allowed everyone to view the premium content before eventually disconnecting those that didn't want to continue subscribing. I think we had Sky Channel, MTV, Children's Channel and a few others. Do any of you remember something similar in your areas?