Cable Television and Satellites.

Nathaniel E. Feldman

Expert InsightsPublished 1969

To realize the full potential of cable TV, the number of head ends (input points to the cable distribution network) in the cities should relate directly to distinct neighborhoods. The optimum number of head ends might be as many as 50,000. Surplus channels could be used for monitoring the local school board or zoning board meeting, for example. Local-interest and special audience programming can cost as little as $100 per hour. To minimize costs, the CATV operator could rent out videotaping equipment. In 10-20 years a four-cable system could provide 400 TV channels. Additional channels could be used (1) to repeat existing programs so that they could be viewed when convenient, and (2) to present university lecture classes to larger audiences (the poorly prepared student could thus hear the same lecture many times and take each course as often as necessary). Satellite networking of CATV head ends would be far more efficient and economical than direct satellite broadcasting. 10 pp.

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  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1969
  • Pages: 10
  • Document Number: P-4171

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Feldman, Nathaniel E., Cable Television and Satellites. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1969. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P4171.html.
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