Coaxial (Long Lines) --> Satellite Network Feeds

[Stanislav]

A few recent threads have got me pondering these questions:

-- When did the networks start providing feeds via satellite?

-- What were some of the first affiliates to switch from coaxial to satellite for their network feeds?

-- When did the networks abandon coaxial distribution altogether?

 

[oldvnewschool]

> A few recent threads have got me pondering these questions:
>
> -- When did the networks start providing feeds via
> satellite?
> I can only answer this one, circa 1960-61
> -- What were some of the first affiliates to switch from
> coaxial to satellite for their network feeds?
>
> -- When did the networks abandon coaxial distribution
> altogether?
>

 

[Joseph_Gallant]

I think Oldnewschool meant 1980-81 as the timeframe networks began distributing programs to affiliates via satellite.

The first network to distribute programs by satellite, interestingly enough, was PBS. Some PBS member stations got programming via satellite as early as 1978 or 1979.

I believe the commercial networks continued some landline feeds as late as 1984 or 1985, but most affiliates had switched over a year or two earlier.

 

[allthatisdave]

> A few recent threads have got me pondering these questions:
>
> -- When did the networks start providing feeds via
> satellite?
>
> -- What were some of the first affiliates to switch from
> coaxial to satellite for their network feeds?
>
> -- When did the networks abandon coaxial distribution
> altogether?
>

I started wondering about this because there are signs marking the transcontinental coaxial cable that run through my neighborhood (Pointe South Mountain, Phoenix). Judging by the amount of rust and the typography, they probably date back to the late 50s. If the cables are still in the ground, does AT&T or whatever successor company keep them active? <P ID="signature">______________
"I used to be disgusted, now I'm just amused" -Elvis Costello</P>

 

[newsmark]

Yes, many of the lines are still in the ground and available for use. In Texas, we can use those lines to feed video and live news reports between Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and other cities. I worked in master control at an ABC affiliate in Tyler, Texas, 1983-1986. I'm thinking it was late '84 when we got the first satellite system from ABC. The system included a large, steerable dish and a smaller backup dish that was fixed on Telstar 301. We also used the steerable dish to pick up a few programs from CBS (also on Telstar 301 at the time) and NBC.ABC could program our dish by remote (they owned it, after all), and we would have to keep a close eye on our terminal to be sure they didn't cut off a program from another network.We still had our Western Union line in place for another couple of years, but we didn't use it much.

 

[Stanislav]

I wonder how much of the old system is still viable. Like, say there was a massive solar flare that fried some satellites -- I wonder if there are still plans to use the remaining Long Lines as an emergency backup to distribute network feeds?

 

[dhett]

Where is that cable?

I started wondering about this because there are signs marking the transcontinental coaxial cable that run through my neighborhood (Pointe South Mountain, Phoenix).

I remember seeing signs indicating a cable, but couldn't remember where it ran in Phx. I'm just a stone's throw from you, in w. Chandler, between Ray & Chandler. Where is that cable located? (Just looking for the major streets...between Baseline & Guadalupe, Guadalupe & Elliot, etc.)

 

[ccmfan]

I'd think that the networks would probably use the fiber optic network that the phone companies use now for a backup. Those cables usually run parallel to railroad tracks. There's one that's within a few feet of a place where I work occasionally, with signs to show where it runs.

 

[oldschooler1]

Ah, yes..But fiber is REALLY expensive.

 

[allthatisdaveaz]

Re: Where is that cable?

I started wondering about this because there are signs marking the transcontinental coaxial cable that run through my neighborhood (Pointe South Mountain, Phoenix).

I remember seeing signs indicating a cable, but couldn't remember where it ran in Phx. I'm just a stone's throw from you, in w. Chandler, between Ray & Chandler. Where is that cable located? (Just looking for the major streets...between Baseline & Guadalupe, Guadalupe & Elliot, etc.)

The cable runs right through the Pointe South Mountain resort; the signs are located right along 48th St. on the hill opposite Rustler's Rooste.(Sorry about not responding, I got deleted in the switchover.)

 

[dhett]

Re: Where is that cable?

(Sorry about not responding, I got deleted in the switchover.)

D'OH!! Wasn't exactly the smoothest transition, eh? I finally had to re-register under another username temporarily.Hopefully, things will smooth out now. Thanks for the info - I had a hunch it was between Baseline & Guad.

 

[newsmark]

A lot of stations don't have fiber receive facilities, so they wouldn't be able to restore network service via fiber or coax quickly.The NBC O&Os use fiber to get signals from the hubs (New York, Miami, LA) to their transmitters. They probably have a backup plan for using fiber to get the signal from New York to Miami and LA.There's actually a lot of unused fiber already in the ground, so it's not that expensive.

 

[oldschooler1]

And with regards to satellite delivered programming -- anyone jump in and correct me if I'm wrong -- but I remember hearing, in 1982 when Entertainment Tonight debuted, that it was delivered daily via satellite to affiliates -- a first for the syndicated commercial industry. And I know that WCNY ch. 24/PBS in Syracuse was the only TV station that could downlink it, so they would record it daily and pedal it to WTVH ch. 5 in downtown. PBS stations were first with satellite delivered programming likely because PBS is not a network per se, with a master control and all that in NYC, but rather a distribition service.

 

[Stanislav]

Actually, PBS initially had FOUR satellite channels that member stations could pick and choose from for programming. That's why, while PBS prefers to have their station in sync for such major programs as "Nova" or "Masterpiece Theatre" (and most do air it at the same clock time), there is a lot more variation of schedule amongst PBS stations than for the commercial nets, even in prime-time.