When did you first get cable television (if you ever got it) ?

[steve2470]

I think we got it in Orlando about 1973 ? All the local stations and maybe....10 others ? You had a box connected to a remote box with a slide on it to select your channel. There was a cable from the remote to the TV. The wireless remotes were not out yet.

It was a huge deal back then. I'll probably remember more as others post their memories.

[applegrove]

1. I was in highschool. Probably early 1980s.

[TlalocW]

2. Early 80s

Around 9 or 10-years-old. We went from 4 channels to around 20, including HBO, which back then was John Byner's, "Bizarre," "Star Wars," played over-and-over, and Rich Little specials where he took a story and played all the characters as famous people playing those characters like W.C. Fields as Ebenezer Scrooge or Groucho Marx as Robin Hood.

I got in trouble late one night when I snuck out into the living room to watch something at 1 in the morning. Mom heard the TV and came out, and I shut the TV off quickly. "Just what were you watching, young man? Turn the TV back on! Go ahead! Do it!"

*click* George Carlin comedy special.

Mom was really confused as she thought it was a dirty movie, but I was really interested in becoming a comedian when I was a kid.

TlalocW

[Eugene]

3. Late 1980s

I think it was a year or two after cable was first installed in our part of Boston.

The system had a box with A and B cables.

[NBachers]

4. Mid-80's, when it was a novelty. Haven't had it since. I won't put money into their pockets.

Of course, I put money into AT&T's pockets for internet, but that's a necessity. My Roku gives me whatever TV watching time I want.

[Chipper Chat]

5. 1972

It was thrilling to get WGN Channel 9 out of Chicago.

[pressbox69]

6. 1985.

[sandensea]

19. Same here.

I was six; I still remember going to the JCPenney with my folks to pick up our first VCR that same summer. Life seemed so simple then.

[Doreen]

7. I always remember TV from the time I was adopted in 1969 ( I think. ) 1974-76 in Germany.

Got it started back up when we got back in 1976. I remember having it in Germany but I was the only one who could not enjoy it because I was the only one who did not know German.

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

8. 1979

Wgn, wtbs and cinema 6 which showed the same movie three times a day rotation weekly.

My dad mainly got it for clear reception.

[Iggo]

9. Early 80s, I think. Something called "ON TV".

There were nakeds at night, I remember that.

That might not have been cable, though, come to think of it.

[Generic Brad]

10. I remember our local weather channel from the early 70's

It was a black and white back and forth pan of a row of gauges that showed temperature, barometer, wind speed, humidity and time. Exciting stuff. We had 13 channels - ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, 6 small market independent channels, a channel with slide show advertisements, a channel that looped the times of the local church services, and the black and white weather channel.

[Glorfindel]

11. Last year, when I retired and moved back to Georgia

It was included with the rent. Just basic cable. Not HBO or Showtime. I never watch it. It's unbearable...endless commercials interrupted by five minutes of programming. To tell the truth, I've never been much of a TV fan, except for a brief period in the 70's and 80's when it was fun to watch "Dallas" and "Dynasty." Nowadays, I'd much rather watch movies & TV shows streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

[crazycatlady]

12. kindergarten (1985-1986)

It was a gift from my grandparents.

First show I remember watching is The House at Pooh Corner.

[Doc_Technical]

13. circa 1974 Gill Cable San Jose CA.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

14. Early to mid-80's at my parent's house.

Cut the cord myself only recently.

[ProfessorGAC]

15. Late 70's

Wire went right to the TV, and it was just something on Channels 2 - 13
2,5,7,9,11,& 12 were local Chicago stations and 6 was this "I never heard of" channel called WTBS
About 4 years later we got a box with a wired remote that sat on the end table.
10 channels, but a 3 position paddle switch, so 3 banks of 10
That said only 20 to 24 of them actually had programming.
Wasn't until around 87 that we got wireless remote and around 50 channels

[hibbing]

16. I want my MTV!

I think it was a year after MTV started.


Peace

[handmade34]

17. 1994

I took a job as Residence Hall Director at College and I lived on campus... until then I never lived where accessible

[Aristus]

18. 1981 when my family moved to Houston.

I caught my first glimpse of "Massacre At Central High" because of cable. The skinny-dipping scene with Kimberly Beck basically jump-started my puberty.

I love the theme and promo music the Movie Channel had back then.

It was also my first real exposure to live-action short subjects.

My parents were away a lot, so I was able to sneak looks at some less family-friendly movies...

[rurallib]

20. mid 80s I think

We got it on a Friday and I stayed up all night just flipping channels.
We had HBO and Cinemax and I am sure the usual for that time.

And now we have DISH. We probably won't cut the cord - at least for a while.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

21. Late 1990, I think.

I recall watching CNN's coverage of Gulf War I; I particularly remember their broadcast from the Al-Rashid Hotel when the cruise missiles started hitting Baghdad.