So fun. "We're going to do to TV what FM did to the radio".
Dude what is this ad for the dial position sticker for your radio? Was MTV simultaneously broadcasting over local FM stations?
"No, MTV was not broadcast over the airwaves via FM radio, but it was designed so its stereo audio could be heard on a separate FM radio signal, often provided by cable companies. This allowed viewers to sync the TV's audio with the video for a better listening experience, similar to the concept of radio simulcasts. Cable subscribers could tune their FM receivers to the specific cable audio feed to get stereo sound, which was advertised by MTV in its early years. " whoa dude
Huh. I remember using a VCR to get stereo sound for TV broadcasts in the late 80s, early 90s. Looks like stereo TV broadcasts started rolling out in the mid 80s.
I think MTV did a lot for the improvements to cable TV options in those days. I see now that the cost of cable - in the few places you could get it - was around $11/month (35+ channels) and HBO was another $10/mo, and that only 16 million households had cable in 1981 (54 million by 1990). TV stations had several movie nights per week, which were great (fuck reality TV). Satellite TV was mainly used to transmit signals betweeen cable companies, or to reach farmers. I see now that the first stereo TVs were introduced in 1982, but I don't think they were popular, when stereo was not yet properly broadcast for TV. $500+ for a decent color TV back then would today be $3500.
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So fun. "We're going to do to TV what FM did to the radio".
Dude what is this ad for the dial position sticker for your radio? Was MTV simultaneously broadcasting over local FM stations?
"No, MTV was not broadcast over the airwaves via FM radio, but it was designed so its stereo audio could be heard on a separate FM radio signal, often provided by cable companies. This allowed viewers to sync the TV's audio with the video for a better listening experience, similar to the concept of radio simulcasts. Cable subscribers could tune their FM receivers to the specific cable audio feed to get stereo sound, which was advertised by MTV in its early years. " whoa dude
Huh. I remember using a VCR to get stereo sound for TV broadcasts in the late 80s, early 90s. Looks like stereo TV broadcasts started rolling out in the mid 80s.
I think MTV did a lot for the improvements to cable TV options in those days. I see now that the cost of cable - in the few places you could get it - was around $11/month (35+ channels) and HBO was another $10/mo, and that only 16 million households had cable in 1981 (54 million by 1990). TV stations had several movie nights per week, which were great (fuck reality TV). Satellite TV was mainly used to transmit signals betweeen cable companies, or to reach farmers. I see now that the first stereo TVs were introduced in 1982, but I don't think they were popular, when stereo was not yet properly broadcast for TV. $500+ for a decent color TV back then would today be $3500.