Broadband Cable Association of Pennsylvania

Cable Today

Cable distribution spurred a revolution in television. Ted Turner followed the HBO lead launching the first "superstation," his WTBS from Atlanta, and soon followed with the creation of CNN.

Many followed suit and today there are more than a 150 cable delivered programming networks covering everything from music, to sports, to the financial community, old movies, new movies, classic television programming, education, health, food, animals, arts, education, public affairs, and more.

Thanks to the work of cable's pioneers and those who have followed them, cable today reaches more than 91.7 million American households and cable's networks have a worldwide reach. The industry has moved beyond the provision of television signals and pioneered the delivery of high speed Internet service and is poised to bring the first real competition to the residential telephone industry.

Today, Pennsylvania’s broadband cable industry employs thousands of Pennsylvanians throughout the state, Cable companies, equipment suppliers and programmers have combined to invest billions of dollars in service and product enhancements to the customers they serve.

Four of the nation's top 20 cable companies are headquartered in Pennsylvania: Comcast, Service Electric, Armstrong and Pencor (Blue Ridge). Additionally, Pennsylvania's cable operators offer free cable service to virtually all primary and secondary schools in the state...while continuing to provide 100 percent funding and support for Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN), one of the country's premiere state public affairs networks offering comprehensive coverage of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, tours of Pennsylvania manufacturers, and high school sports championships.

Today cable customers demand, and enjoy, a greater choice in programming at a price that, when adjusted for inflation, has actually decreased in cost per channel. Cable programming today reflects a record number of Emmy nominations, and – when compared with other entertainment options – is an ongoing value that provides the purchaser with choice, flexibility and convenience.