CBS Cable

Former United States cable television network active between 1981-1982

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Television channel

CBS CableCountry| United States

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Programming
Picture format| NTSC
Ownership
Owner| CBS
History
Launched| October 12, 1981 (October 12, 1981)[1]
Closed| December 17, 1982 (December 17, 1982)
(1 year, 66 days)

CBS Cable was an early but short-lived cable television network operated by CBS, Inc., dedicated to the lively arts (i.e. symphony, dance, theatre, opera, etc.). It debuted on October 12, 1981[2] and ceased operations on December 17, 1982.[3]

CBS Cable was a personal project of CBS founder William Paley, who hoped it would blaze a trail for cultural programming in the then-emerging cable television medium. Its program offerings were ambitious and often critically praised. Nevertheless, the network struggled, and ultimately failed, largely because of the reluctance of many cable systems across the United States to give it carriage, limiting severely its ability to attract both viewers and advertisers for its costly lineup of programming. Its program offerings, while critically hailed in their own right, frequently overlapped cultural, literary and historical programs broadcast over the air in prime time by PBS in nearly every television market. Further, cable systems in the early 1980s had far more limited channel capacity than they do today (usually the standard thirty-five channels in most cities). CBS Cable was competing for channel space by appealing to a select and relatively small upscale audience, while other networks coming on line at the same time such as MTV and ESPN promised larger and more broad-based viewership and therefore got cable operators to carry them far more easily. MTV and ESPN thrived and gave rise to additional companion channels within a short time, while the CBS Cable channel folded after just over 14 months in operation.

CBS made another effort to launch a cable network using the CBS name, CBS Eye On People, which launched in 1997, featuring mostly biography programming and programs from the CBS News archives, along with old episodes of 60 Minutes and other CBS newsmagazines. However the effort proved to be unsuccessful, and in 1998 CBS sold its stake in the network to Discovery Communications, which rebranded it as Discovery People before utilizing the channel slots acquired in the deal for their other networks.

## As a CBS division name[edit]

The CBS Cable name was used for three years as the name of the network's cable division, after the 1996 purchase of The Nashville Network (now the general-interest Paramount Network) and Country Music Television from Gaylord Entertainment, along with CBS' existing stakes in the regional sports networks Midwest Sports Channel in the Twin Cities/Milwaukee (now split into Bally Sports North, serving Minnesota and the Dakotas, and Bally Sports Wisconsin for Wisconsin, purchased in 1992 by CBS as part of their acquisition of Midwest Television, the owners of WCCO-TV and Green Bay's WFRV-TV) and the Home Team Sports network in the Baltimore/Washington market (now NBC Sports Washington). TNN and CMT were folded into MTV Networks after the 1999 merger with Viacom, with the sports networks sold to other parties shortly after the merger.

## Host[edit]

* Patrick Watson (also known for PBS' Live at Lincoln Center)

## Programs[edit]

* Artists and Mothers included the film A Film About My Home, an autobiographical piece by Oren Rudavsky, as well as pieces by Joseph Cornell, Martin Scorsese, Jonas Mekas and Mark Rance.
* Confessions of a Cornermaker, an original dance piece by Twyla Tharp.
* Count Basie Live at Carnegie Hall, one of Basie's final performances, featuring guests Tony Bennett, George Benson, Joe Williams and Sarah Vaughan.
* Gertrude Stein Gertrude Stein Gertrude Stein, starring Pat Carroll, a video recreation of her one-woman off-Broadway play of the same name from 1977.
* Gilbert & Sullivan productions by Brent Walker (H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, The Mikado, and The Gondoliers) aired in its last week of broadcast.
* Kennedy's Children (1982), play by Robert Patrick, directed by Marshall W. Mason, produced by Glenn Dubose, Feb. 11 & 12, 1982, starring Shirley Knight, Jane Alexander, Lindsay Crouse, Brad Dourif, and personnel from the Caffe Cino.
* Mornings at Seven
* Music Music Music (1981), the history of music in 90 seconds, with a score arranged by Mel Tormé; designed and directed by John Canemaker.
* Nichols and Dimes: A documentary film about business investment, with Mike Nichols' very successful Arabian horse business portrayed as an example. This was the first show broadcast on the network.
* The Quiz Kids, a revival of the 1950s game show, hosted by Norman Lear.
* The Ring of the Fettuccines, parody opera co-authored by Marie Allyn King
* Signature, an interview series in which the camera never cut away from the interviewee.
* Singin'!, three specials produced by and featuring Nancy Dussault singing popular classics.
* The Song Writers, a series saluting composers of The Great American Songbook
* Tintypes, a revue of American music from 1895 to 1912.
* Mixed Bag, a selection of highlights from the channel's short history, shown as the network's final program.

## References[edit]

1. ^ Schwartz, Tony (October 12, 1981). "CBS Cable Starts Cultural Service Tonight". New York Times. p. C17.
2. ^ Clarke, Gerald (October 26, 1981). "Cable's Cultural Crapshoot". Time. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
3. ^ O'Connor, John J. (December 12, 1982). "TV VIEW; WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR CULTURAL PROGRAMMING". New York Times.

* Beck, Kirsten. Cultivating the Wasteland: Can Cable Put the Vision Back in TV? New York: American Council for the Arts (Edwards Brothers Printing), 1983. Chapter: "The CBS Cable Story".

* 1980s portal

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Paramount

Corporate directors|

* Bob Bakish (President and CEO)
* Shari Redstone (Non-Executive Chair)

CBS
Entertainment
Group|

| Flagship assets|

* CBS
* CBS Sports
* CBS Sports Radio
* CBS Sports Network
* The CW (12.5%)

|

BET Media Group|

* BET
* BET Her
* BET Jams
* BET Soul
* Production
* BET Studios
* VH1

CBS News
and Stations|

* CBS News
* CBS News Radio
* CBS O&O
* KCBS-TV
* KCNC-TV
* KDKA-TV
* KOVR
* KPIX-TV
* KTVT
* KYW-TV
* WBBM-TV
* WBZ-TV
* WCBS-TV
* WCCO-TV/KCCW-TV
* WFOR-TV
* WJZ-TV
* WWJ-TV
* CW
* KBCW
* KMAX-TV
* KSTW
* WKBD-TV
* WPCW
* WPSG
* WTOG
* WUPA
* Ind.
* KCAL-TV
* KTXA
* WBFS-TV
* WLNY-TV
* WSBK-TV
* Start TV
* WBXI-CD
* Network
* Fave TV

Production &
distribution|

* CBS Studios
* Big Ticket Entertainment
* CBS Eye Animation Productions
* Late Night Cartoons, Inc.
* CBS Media Ventures
* Dabl
* CBS Home Entertainment

Digital media|

* CBS MoneyWatch
* CBS Sports Digital
* CBSSports.com
* 247Sports
* MaxPreps
* Scout.com
* CBS Watch
* Last.fm

Streaming|

* Paramount+
* original programming
* original films
* Showtime
* Pluto TV
* BET+
* Noggin
* CBS News Streaming Network
* CBS Sports HQ

U.S. Media
Networks|

| MTV Entertainment Group|

* Comedy Central
* CMT
* CMT Music
* Logo TV
* MTV
* MTV2
* MTVU
* MTV Classic
* MTV Live
* Tr3s
* MTV Entertainment Studios
* MTV Animation
* Paramount Network
* Pop TV
* Smithsonian Channel
* Showtime Networks
* Showtime
* The Movie Channel
* Flix
* Production
* Documentary Films
* PPV
* Digital
* TV Land

|

Nickelodeon Group|

* Nickelodeon
* Nick at Nite
* Nick Jr. (block)
* Nick Jr. Channel
* NickMusic
* Nicktoons
* TeenNick
* Production
* Awesomeness
* Nickelodeon Animation Studio
* Nick Digital
* Avatar Studios
* Paws, Inc.

Paramount
Pictures|

* Paramount Animation
* Paramount Players
* Nickelodeon Movies
* Paramount Home Entertainment
* Paramount Music
* Paramount Television Studios
* United International Pictures (co-owned with Universal Pictures)
* Miramax (49% stake)
* Republic Pictures

International
Networks|

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Networks Americas

Pan-American|

* Comedy Central
* MTV
* Club MTV
* MTV 00s
* MTV 80s
* MTV Hits Europe
* MTV Live
* Nickelodeon
* Nick Jr.
* NickMusic
* TeenNick
* Paramount Network
* Telefe Internacional

Brazil|

* Comedy Central
* MTV
* MTV 00s
* MTV Live
* Nickelodeon
* Nick Jr.
* NickMusic
* Paramount Network
* Telefe Internacional

Argentina|

* Telefe
* Rosario
* Bahía Blanca
* Santa Fe

Chile|

* Chilevisión

Production arms|

* Porta dos Fundos (51% JV)
* TIS Productions (majority stake)

Defunct|

* MTV Brasil
* MTV Hits Brazil
* MTV Hits Latin America
* MTV Jams
* MTV Puerto Rico (licensed)
* Nick 2
* Nicktoons
* Smithsonian Channel
* VH1 Brazil
* VH1 Classic Europe
* VH1 Classic United States
* VH1 Europe
* VH1 HD
* VH1 Latin America
* VH1 MegaHits
* VH1 Soul

See also|

* Paramount Global
* Paramount Media Networks
* Paramount International Networks

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Networks EMEAA

European headquarters: Madrid
Asian headquarters: Singapore

MTV|

* Africa
* MTV Base
* Australia and New Zealand
* MTV Hits
* Club MTV
* MTV Classic
* France and French-speaking regions
* Germany
* Global
* Club MTV
* MTV 00s
* MTV 80s
* MTV 90s
* MTV Hits
* MTV Live
* India
* Israel
* Italy
* MTV Music
* Japan
* Netherlands
* Poland
* Portugal
* Spain
* Switzerland
* Taiwan
* UK and Ireland
* MTV 80s
* MTV 90s
* MTV Hits
* MTV Music

Nickelodeon|

* Africa
* Asia
* Malaysia
* Philippines
* Central/Eastern Europe
* Ukraine
* Croatia
* Serbian
* Slovenia
* Denmark
* Europe
* Flanders
* France and French-speaking Switzerland
* Nickelodeon Junior
* Nickelodeon Teen
* Germany
* Austria
* German-speaking Switzerland
* Greece
* Nickelodeon Plus
* Iberia
* Israel
* Italy
* Netherlands
* NickMusic
* Poland
* Scandinavia
* Sweden
* Turkey
* Wallonia
* Pakistan
* TeenNick

| Nick Jr.|

* Africa
* CIS, Ukraine and Georgia (previously Russia and Belarus)
* Germany, Austria and Switzerland
* Greece
* Italy
* Netherlands
* Portugal
* Scandinavia
* Southeast Asia
* Turkey

|

Nicktoons|

* Africa
* Europe
* Germany
* Netherlands
* Scandinavia

Comedy Central|

* CIS and Georgia
* Flanders
* France
* Germany
* Austrian subfeed
* Swiss subfeed
* Hungary
* Italy
* Netherlands
* Poland
* Polsat Comedy Central Extra
* Romania
* Spain
* Ukraine

Paramount|

* Paramount Network
* International
* Netherlands

Other|

* BET
* Ego
* Game One
* Hot Comedy Central
* J-One
* JV's with AMC Networks International
* CBS Europa
* CBS Reality
* Super!
* VH1

Defunct
channels|

* CBS Action Poland
* Comedy Central
* Extra
* Family Netherlands
* Sweden
* Kindernet
* MTV
* Adria
* Austria
* Belgium
* Czechia and Slovakia
* China
* Denmark
* Eesti
* Finland
* Greece
* Hungary
* Lithuania and Latvia
* Middle East
* Nordic
* Norway
* Pakistan
* Romania
* Russia, CIS and Georgia
* Sweden
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* Southeast Asia
* Indonesia
* Philippines
* Original
* MTV Pinoy
* MTVph
* Thailand
* MTV Base
* MTV Brand New
* Germany
* Italy
* Netherlands
* MTV Classic
* Italy
* Poland
* MTV Hits Italy
* MTV Idol
* MTV Music
* Greece
* Poland
* MTV Music 24
* MTV Plus
* MTV Pulse
* France
* Italy
* MTV Rocks
* MTV2 Pop
* Nickelodeon
* Russia, CIS and Georgia
* QOOB
* Spike
* Hungary
* Italy
* Russia
* UK
* TeenNick
* Italy
* Flanders
* Netherlands
* The Box
* The Music Factory
* Flanders
* Live HD
* Nederland
* TMF Dance
* TMF NL
* TMF Pure
* VH1
* Adria
* Denmark
* Europe
* Germany
* Poland
* Russia
* VH1 Classic
* VIVA
* Austria
* Germany
* Hungary

See also|

* Paramount Global
* Paramount Media Networks
* Paramount International Networks
* Paramount Networks UK & Australia
* Rainbow S.p.A. (30% stake)
* List of Paramount channels

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Networks UK & Australia

A subsidiary of Paramount Global

United Kingdom
& Ireland|

* CBS Reality1
* Comedy Central2
* Comedy Central Extra
* HorrorXtra1
* Legend1
* MTV
* MTV 80s
* MTV 90s
* MTV Hits
* MTV Music
* Nickelodeon
* Nicktoons
* Nick Jr.
* Nick Jr. Too
* RealityXtra1

| UK-only|

* Channel 5
* 5Action
* 5Select
* 5Star
* 5USA
* Milkshake!
* My5
* MTV Live

|

Ten Network Holdings
(Australia &
New Zealand)|

| Network 10|

* Adelaide
* Brisbane
* Melbourne
* Perth
* Sydney

|

Multichannels|

* 10 HD
* 10 Bold
* 10 Peach
* Nickelodeon
* TVSN
* gecko

Other|

* CMT
* Comedy Central
* MTV
* Classic
* Club
* Hits
* Nickelodeon (Australia and New Zealand)
* Nick Jr.
* NickMusic
* OzTAM3

Related|

* Canwest
* Network 10 programs

Defunct|

* 5Spike
* 10 daily
* BET International
* CBS Justice1
* MTV
* Base
* Classic
* Club
* Extra
* Flux
* Music
* OMG
* Rocks
* Shows
* Nicktoonsters
* Smithsonian Channel
* Spike
* Spree TV
* Ten Guide
* TMF
* VH1
* Classic
* VH2
* Viva

* 1with AMC Networks International UK
* 275% with Sky Group
* 333% with Seven Network & Nine Network

Simon & Schuster|

* Aladdin
* Atheneum
* Atria Publishing Group
* Howard
* 37 INK
* Gallery Publishing Group
* Pocket
* Threshold
* Scribner
* Simon & Schuster
* Free Press
* Pimsleur

Miscellaneous
holdings|

* Bellator MMA
* Paramount Consumer Products
* Paramount Global Content Distribution
* Philo (unknown stake)
* Porta dos Fundos (51% JV)
* Viacom18 (13.01% JV)
* VidCon
* WhoSay

Defunct/former
holdings|

* AXS TV
* Blockbuster
* BNET
* CBS Cable
* CBS Eye on People
* CBS Films
* CBS Innertube
* CBS Productions
* CBS Radio
* CBS Records
* CBS Telenoticias
* CNET
* Chowhound
* CNET Video
* Download.com
* UrbanBaby
* ZDNET
* SmartPlanet
* TechRepublic
* Comedy Central Films
* DreamWorks
* Epix
* Famous Music
* FindArticles
* Free FM
* GameSpot
* GameFAQs
* GameRankings
* Giant Bomb
* GameTrailers
* Harmonix
* HDNet Movies
* IFilm
* Infinity Broadcasting
* Insurge Pictures
* King World Productions
* Metacritic
* MetroLyrics
* MovieTickets.com
* Neopets
* Nickelodeon on Sunset
* Nick Records
* onGamers
* Paramount Digital Entertainment
* Paramount Famous Productions
* Paramount Parks
* Paramount Stations Group
* Paramount Vantage
* Rainbow S.p.A. (30%)
* Bardel Entertainment
* Colorado Film
* Republic Pictures
* Shockwave
* Spelling Television
* TV Guide
* TV.com
* Clicker.com
* UPN
* USA Network
* VersionTracker
* VH1 Uno
* Viacom Entertainment Store
* Westinghouse Broadcasting
* Westinghouse Licensing
* Worldvision Enterprises

See also|

* Viacom (1952–2006)
* Viacom (2005–2019)
* CBS Corporation
* Gulf and Western Industries
* Paramount Communication, Inc.
* National Amusements
* Westinghouse Electric Corporation
* Criticism
* News
* United Paramount Theatres
* Television programs
* 2019 merger of CBS and Viacom
* Buildings and facilities
* CBS Broadcast Center
* CBS Building
* Ed Sullivan Theater
* One Astor Plaza
* Radford Studio Center

Authority control

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

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