Cable's Story
A Force for American Innovation
The cable industry has long been a force for American innovation. What began over a half century ago among a few visionary pioneers is now one of the most forward thinking industries in the country, serving nearly every corner of America. Cable providers are leaders in broadband connectivity, video entertainment, and so much more. With over 500 employees in 96% of congressional districts, the cable industry can be found in every community in America. Cable providers have invested billions of dollars in infrastructure and programming over the years, keeping ahead of future demand and powering the country’s digital economy.
Innovation Over the Years
-
Cable is Born
Cable delivers broadcast TV channels to Oregon, Arkansas and Pennsylvania.
-
Expansion
Cable expands to 800 cable systems across the country.
-
Birth of TV Networks
Debut of first national cable TV networks: HBO, C-SPAN, ESPN, Nickelodeon
-
More TV
Number of cable TV networks increases from 28 in 1980 to 79 in 1989.
-
Home Internet Arrives
Residential broadband launches with introduction of the cable modem.
-
Infrastructure Gets Boost
Networks upgraded to hybrid-fiber coax to provide faster internet and more services all on one wire into the home.
-
More Services
Introduction of VOD, HDTV, VOIP, DVRs in homes, with Wi-Fi to come soon after.
-
Full Wireless
Cable begins offering mobile phone service.
-
Internet Gets Faster
2Gbps speeds now available to cable homes.
-
Ultra-Fast Speeds
10G introduced. Cable will deliver speeds of 10Gbps to homes soon.
-
Networks Thrive
During COVID-19 pandemic, cable broadband networks saw unprecedented growth and performed well.
Leaders of Connectivity
This is an industry building the world’s most powerful technology platform and creating exciting content and services that entertain, inform and inspire consumers every day. Over $290 billion in private capital has been invested over the past two decades to build the nation's broadband networks. And more than 200 TV programming networks create popular and award-winning television content.
Broadband
Cable internet providers deliver robust broadband service to millions of U.S. consumers and businesses, reaching over 90% of homes and offering speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second.
TV & Entertainment
Cable TV networks lead the pack with award-winning entertainment, defined by powerful storytelling, increasingly diverse talent, and groundbreaking ways to deliver content to audiences around the world.
Powering America's Digital Future
The Nation’s Largest Broadband Provider
Cable ISPs are building the world’s most innovative technology platform. Since 1948, cable providers have invested in American infrastructure and our fiber-rich networks have made residential high-speed internet access a reality across the United States. The cable industry offers broadband service to meet every need, from super-fast gigabit speed offerings to $9.95 per month plans for low-income households.
Entertainment Pioneers
Award-winning Television
Over the past few decades, TV networks have made massive investments in programming to bring award-winning shows and entertainment to audiences across the world. Thanks to cable, America saw the expansion of news and sports networks and the explosion of theater-quality television channels like HBO. Over the years, a wide diversity of TV networks has elevated more voices and provided more viewing options available to audiences.
Committed to closing the digital divide
Cable broadband providers have connected over 14 million low-income individuals through broadband adoption programs and are committed to closing the digital divide. Cable providers offer a variety of digital literacy education options in addition to low-cost programs that help families overcome barriers they may face.
A Vast and Diverse Workforce
Cable’s workforce represents all demographic and educational backgrounds, spanning both rural and urban communities throughout America. They maintain the infrastructure that keeps the internet running and deliver the entertainment experiences that Americans enjoy.
