Fourth television network

File:DuMont.svg

In the 1940s, four television networks began operations by linking local television stations together via AT&T's coaxial cable telephone network. These links allowed stations to share television programs across great distances, and allowed advertisers to air commercial advertisements nationally. Local stations became affiliates of one or more of the four networks, depending on the number of licensed stations within a given media market in this early era of television broadcasting. These four networks – the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), and the DuMont Television Network (DuMont) – would be the only full-time television networks during the 1940s and 1950s, as in 1948, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suspended approvals for new station construction permits. Although other companies – including Paramount Pictures (with the Paramount Television Network) – announced network plans or began limited network operations, these companies withdrew from television after the first few years, or in the Paramount Television Network's case the service withered through attrition over the same span as did DuMont's, losing most of its programming by 1953 and ceasing operations in 1956.{{cite web|title=Advertising on Chicago Television|url=http://www.chicagotelevision.com/Minutemen.htm|first=Steve|last=Jajkowski|website=Chicago Television History|publisher=Museum of Broadcast Communications|year=2001|access-date=October 4, 2009}}{{cite journal|title=Hollywood on (Re)Trial: The American Broadcasting-United Paramount Merger Hearing|first=Timothy R.|last=White|journal=Cinema Journal|volume=31|issue=3|pages=19–36|date=Spring 1992|jstor=1225506|doi=10.2307/1225506}}{{cite journal|title=A Failed Vision: The Mutual Television Network|first=James|last=Schwoch|journal=Velvet Light Trap|year=1994|issn=1542-4251}}

The FCC's "freeze," as it was called, was supposed to last for six months. When it was lifted after four years in 1952, there were only four full-time television networks. The FCC would only license three local VHF stations in most U.S. television markets. A fourth station, the FCC ruled, would have to broadcast on the UHF band. Hundreds of new UHF stations began operations, but many of these stations quickly folded because television set manufacturers were not required to include a built-in UHF tuner until 1964 as part of the All-Channel Act. Most viewers could not receive UHF stations, and most advertisers would not advertise on stations which few could view. Without the advertising revenue enjoyed by the VHF stations, many UHF station owners either returned their station licenses to the FCC, attempted to trade licenses with educational stations on VHF, attempted to purchase a VHF station in a nearby market to move into theirs, or cut operating costs in attempts to stay in business {{crossreference|(see also: {{section link|UHF television broadcasting|UHF vs VHF}}) }}.

Since there were four networks but only three VHF stations in most major U.S. cities, one network would be forced to broadcast on a UHF outlet with a limited audience. NBC and CBS had been the larger networks, and the most successful broadcasters in radio. As they began bringing their popular radio programs and stars into the television medium, they sought – and attracted – the most profitable VHF television stations. In many areas, ABC and DuMont were left with undesirable UHF stations, or were forced to affiliate with NBC or CBS stations on a part-time basis. ABC was near bankruptcy in 1952; DuMont was unprofitable after 1953.

On August 6, 1956, DuMont ceased regular network operations; the end of DuMont allowed ABC to experience a profit increase of 40% that year, although ABC would not reach parity with NBC and CBS until the 1970s. The end of the DuMont Network left many UHF stations without a reliable source of programming, and many were left to become independent stations. Several new television companies were formed through the years in failed attempts to band these stations together in a new fourth network.

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Some within the industry felt there was a need for a fourth network; that complaints about diversity in programming could be addressed by adding another network. "We need a fourth, a fifth, and a sixth network," one broadcaster stated.{{r|Crosby}} While critics rejected "the nightly tripe being offered [to] the public on the three major networks," they were skeptical that a fourth network would offer better material: "[O]ne wonders if a new network lacking the big money already being spread three ways will be able to come up with tripe that is equal. Certainly a new network is not going to stress quality programming when the ratings indicate that the American public prefer hillbillies, cowboys and spies. A new network will have to deliver an audience if it is to attract the big spenders from the ranks of sponsors."{{cite news|title=Fourth TV Network Looming on Horizon|first=William E.|last=Sarmento|newspaper=Lowell Sun|page=20|date=July 24, 1966}}

Advertisers, too, called for the creation of a fourth network. Representatives from Procter & Gamble and General Foods, two of the largest advertisers in the U.S., hoped the competition from a fourth network would lower advertising rates on the Big Three.{{cite news|title=Nation's Largest Advertisers Look to Possibility of 4th TV Network|first=Joe|last=Cappo|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune|page=40|date=September 14, 1976}} Independent television producers, too, called for a fourth network after battles with the Big Three.{{cite news|title=New Network Will Project Rejected Film|newspaper=The Oneonta Star|page=7|date=March 26, 1960}}

George Fox, the president of the George Fox Organization, announced tentative plans for a television film network in May 1956. The plan was to sign 45 to 50 affiliate stations; each of these stations would have input in deciding what programs the network would air. Four initial programs – Jack for Jill, I'm the Champ, Answer Me This, and It's a Living – were slated to be broadcast; the programs would be filmed in Hollywood. However, only 17 stations had agreed to affiliate in May.{{cite news|title=Network for TV-Film Shows in the Offing|newspaper=The Independent|location=Pasadena, California|page=4|date=May 23, 1953}} The film network never made it off the ground, and none of the planned programs aired.

{{Main|Mutual Broadcasting System#Mutual's involvement in television}}

The Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS), established as a cooperative radio network owned by the affiliates, showed varied interest in a television counterpart. During the network's annual shareholder meeting on April 1950, MBS president Frank White announced the tentative formation of the "Mutual Television Network" comprising stations in New York (WOR-TV), Los Angeles (KHJ-TV), Chicago (WGN-TV), Boston (WNAC-TV) and Washington, D.C. (WOIC), all television adjuncts of existing MBS affiliates.{{Cite magazine |date=April 24, 1950 |title=Mutual Enters TV Networking: Plans Along AM Line |magazine=Broadcasting |page=68 |volume=38 |issue=17}} A sixth station in Pittsburgh was proposed, but its originating radio station failed to gain a TV license. When General Teleradio de facto became the owner of MBS in 1951 by acquiring all but one of the network's largest affiliates,{{Cite magazine |date=October 15, 1951 |title=What Happens To MBS? Don Lee, Yankee, WOR Merge |magazine=Broadcasting-Telecasting |pages=23, 38 |volume=41 |issue=16}} General Tire president Thomas F. O'Neil started putting a potential MBS all-movie network together. MBS purchased a large group of English films and paid $1.5 million for the right of unlimited play for two years of Roy Rogers and Gene Autry westerns.{{sfn|Segrave|1999|pp=36–37}}

{{Main|NTA Film Network}}

On October 15, 1956, National Telefilm Associates launched the NTA Film Network, a syndication service that distributed both films and television programs to independent television stations and stations affiliated with NBC, CBS or ABC; the network had signed agreements with over 100 affiliate stations.{{cite news|title=Fox Buys Into TV Network; Makes 390 Features Available|url=https://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_110356-1/8|newspaper=Boxoffice|page=8|date=November 3, 1956}} {{dead link|date=December 2012}} The ad hoc network's flagship station was WNTA-TV (channel 13) in New York City.{{cite book|title=Milwaukee Television History: The Analog Years|first=Dick|last=Golembiewski|publisher=Marquette University Press|location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin|year=2008|pages=280–281|isbn=978-0-87462-055-9}} The NTA Network was launched as a "fourth TV network," and trade papers of the time referred to it as a new television network.{{cite news|title=Fourth TV Network, for Films, is Created|url=https://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_070756/8|periodical=Boxoffice|page=8|date=July 7, 1956}} {{dead link|date=December 2012}} Despite this effort, by 1961, NTA carried a significant debt load and WNTA-TV was losing money against stiff competition from independent stations WNEW-TV and WOR-TV.{{cite magazine |date=February 20, 1961 |title=NTA to Sell WNTA-AM-TV; Landau Out |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1961/1961-02-20-BC.pdf#page=42 |access-date=March 17, 2019 |magazine=Broadcasting |page=42 |via=World Radio History |volume=60 |issue=8}}

After being placed on the market, WNTA was sold to the Educational Broadcasting Corporation{{cite magazine |date=October 30, 1961 |title=FCC Okays WNTA -TV Sale to ETV |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1961/1961-10-30-BC.pdf#page=83 |access-date=March 17, 2019 |magazine=Broadcasting |pages=83–84 |via=World Radio History |volume=61 |issue=18}} and relaunched the following year as non-commercial station WNDT, aligned with National Educational Television (NET).{{cite magazine |date=September 10, 1962 |title=New York ETV Goes On Air Next Week |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-09-10-BC.pdf#page=66 |access-date=April 8, 2019 |magazine=Broadcasting |pages=62–64 |via=World Radio History |volume=63 |issue=11}}{{citation|title=Joseph S. Iseman Papers|first=Joseph S.|last=Iseman|publisher=University of Maryland Libraries|year=2007|hdl=1903.1/1582}}. National Telefilm Associates continued syndication services for stations for several years after the closure of NTA Film Network, with Divorce Court was seen as late as 1969.

{{Main|National Educational Television}}

Educational television (ETV) had existed since 1952, but was poorly funded. Only a few educational television stations existed during the 1950s. By 1962, 62 educational stations were in operation, most of which had affiliated with NET. That year, the U.S. Congress approved $32 million in funding for educational television, giving a boost to the non-commercial television network. Although at the 1962 revamp of the organization, NET was branded a "fourth network",{{cite magazine|title=Television: The Fourth Network|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,897956,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219010537/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,897956,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 19, 2011|magazine=Time|publisher=Time-Life|date=June 29, 1962|access-date=October 4, 2009}} later historians have disagreed. Historian Alex McNeil wrote, "in a sense, NET was less a true network than a distributor of programs to educational stations throughout the country; it was not until late 1966 that simultaneous broadcasting began on educational outlets."{{cite book |last=McNeil |first=Alex |title=Total Television |publisher=Penguin Books |year=1996 |isbn=0-14-024916-8 |edition=4th |location=New York City |page=3}}

NET ceased to exist as a standalone entity in 1970 when it merged with WNDT to form WNET, with the Public Broadcasting Service assuming program distribution functions;{{cite magazine |date=October 5, 1970 |title=Call letters changed in NET-WNDT merger |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1970/1970-10-05-BC.pdf#page=30 |access-date=May 3, 2019 |magazine=Broadcasting |page=30 |via=World Radio History |volume=79 |issue=14}} the "NET" name lasted for WNET-produced programs until 1972.{{cite magazine |date=January 31, 1972 |title=No longer as such: NET |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-01-31-BC.pdf#page=9 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |magazine=Broadcasting |page=9 |via=World Radio History |volume=82 |issue=5}}{{cite magazine |date=May 29, 1972 |title=All together now |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-05-29-BC.pdf#page=33 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |magazine=Broadcasting |page=33 |via=World Radio History |volume=82 |issue=22}}

Pat Weaver, a former president of NBC, twice attempted to launch his own television network; daughter Sigourney Weaver once said, "it was always his dream to transform television."{{cite journal |last=Haden-Guest |first=Anthony |date=June 11, 1984 |title=The Year of Sigourney Weaver |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YeUCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36 |journal=New York |volume=17 |issue=24 |pages=36–39 |access-date=October 4, 2009 |via=Google Books}} According to one source, the network would have been called the Pat Weaver Prime Time Network. Although the new network was announced, no programs were ever produced.{{r|Crosby}}

{{Main|Mizlou Television Network}}

In mid-1965, radio businessman Vincent C. Piano proposed the Unisphere Broadcasting System. The service would have operated for 2½ hours each night. However, Piano had difficulty signing affiliates; a year later, no launch date had been set, and the network still lacked a "respectable number of affiliates in major markets."{{cite journal|title=The Rise and Fall of the Overmyer Network|first=C.A.|last=Kellner|journal=Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media|volume=13|issue=2|pages=125–130|date=Spring 1969|doi=10.1080/08838156909386290}}

The network finally launched under the name Mizlou Television Network in 1968, but the concept had changed. Like the Hughes Network, Mizlou only carried occasional sporting and special events. Despite developing a sophisticated microwave and landline broadcasting system, the company never developed into a major television network.

{{Main|United Network}}

On July 12, 1966, warehouse entrepreneur Daniel H. Overmyer announced the launch of the Overmyer Network (ON), to be built around Overmyer's chain of five planned UHF stations and an existing station in Toledo, Ohio. Headed by former ABC president Oliver Treyz, ON planned to have up to eight hours of program nightly, along with news programming from United Press International.{{cite magazine |date=July 18, 1966 |title=Bold venture in TV networking |magazine=Broadcasting |pages=25–28 |volume=71 |issue=3 |id={{ProQuest|1014498334}}}} Due to a cash crunch brought on by Overmyer's other businesses, majority control of ON was sold to a 14-investor syndicate and renamed the United Network weeks before it launched.{{Cite news |last=Messina |first=Matt |date=March 6, 1967 |title=Overmyer TV Net Sold |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-overmyer-tv-net-sold/144793536/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405040510/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-overmyer-tv-net-sold/144793536/ |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |newspaper=Daily News |page=25 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=March 6, 1967 |title=New TV Network Plans April Start |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-new-tv-network-plans/144792625/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405040502/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-new-tv-network-plans/144792625/ |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |page=4C |via=Newspapers.com |agency=UPI}} Overmyer's unbuilt television stations were also sold off at the same time.{{cite magazine |date=April 3, 1967 |title=Overmyer selling control of outlets |magazine=Broadcasting |page=80 |volume=72 |issue=14 |id={{ProQuest|1014520519}}}} United's lone program, The Las Vegas Show, debuted on May 1, 1967, to 107 stations, many of which were already affiliated with a Big Three network.{{Cite news |last=Humphrey |first=Hal |date=May 1, 1967 |title=High Stakes in Las Vegas Show |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36284027/the_los_angeles_times/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401060438/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/36284027/ |archive-date=April 1, 2024 |access-date=April 1, 2024 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |page=30:IV |via=Newspapers.com}}

The poor timing of the launch limited available budgets for prospective advertisers; this, coupled with onerous charges to transmit over AT&T Bell System phone lines,{{Cite news |last=Gould |first=Jack |author-link=Jack Gould |date=May 3, 1967 |title=TV Net Makes Bow With 2-Hour Show |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-tv-net-makes-bow/145192347/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413042841/https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-tv-net-makes-bow/145192347/ |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Richmond Times-Dispatch |page=C15 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=The New York Times}} resulted in the network's failure and the cancellation of Las Vegas after one month.{{cite magazine |date=June 5, 1967 |title=United network forced to quit |magazine=Broadcasting |pages=34, 36, 41 |volume=72 |issue=23 |id={{ProQuest|1014496580}}}}{{cite news |date=June 2, 1967 |title=Late Night Las Vegas Show, Started May 1, Bites Dust |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2512&dat=19670602&id=twFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=2561,4304318 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815234339/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2512&dat=19670602&id=twFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=2561,4304318 |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |access-date=July 27, 2013 |work=The Morning Record |location=Meriden, Connecticut |pages=3 |agency=Associated Press}} Ownership filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy several weeks later,{{cite magazine |date=June 26, 1967 |title=$690,000 deficit in UN bankruptcy filing |magazine=Broadcasting |page=80 |volume=72 |issue=26}} and despite multiple teases of relaunching as a supplier of news and public affairs programming,{{Cite news |date=September 2, 1967 |title=United Network May Resume Operations |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-united-network-may-resum/145265757/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413045151/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-united-network-may-resum/145265757/ |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |page=14B |via=Newspapers.com |agency=The New York Times}}{{r|Broad670904p64}}{{Cite news |last=McIntyre |first=Lenore |date=September 9, 1967 |title=TE LA DI O: Another Try |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/warren-times-mirror-and-observer-te-la-d/145265589/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413045140/https://www.newspapers.com/article/warren-times-mirror-and-observer-te-la-d/145265589/ |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |newspaper=Warren Times-Mirror and Observer |page=B11 |via=Newspapers.com}} United never resumed operations.{{r|Broad680115p59}} While United managed to transmit programming unlike prior attempts at a fourth network, the network was later regarded as a "fiasco", "a promotion stunt", "a fraud",{{r|Crosby}} and a "tax write-off".{{Cite news |last=Snodgrass |first=Duane |date=January 12, 1968 |title=Omaha After Dark: Twenties, Owner, Actors to Confer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-omaha-after-dark-twe/145261516/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413045151/https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-omaha-after-dark-twe/145261516/ |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald |page=31 |via=Newspapers.com}} New York Times columnist Jack Gould wrote that United's failure was "further evidence that expansion of commercial TV is little more than a pipe dream".{{Cite news |last=Gould |first=Jack |author-link=Jack Gould |date=December 31, 1967 |title=Deluge of Trivia in 1967 Television |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-deluge-of-trivia-in-196/145265919/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413050519/https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-deluge-of-trivia-in-196/145265919/ |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |newspaper=Arizona Republic |page=H5 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=The New York Times}}

{{Main|Kaiser Broadcasting}}

Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser assembled a chain of six UHF stations in the mid-1960s under the Kaiser Broadcasting name. In September 1967, Kaiser announced their intentions to create a television network with programming supplied by their station group; this included Lou Gordon from WKBD-TV, Hy Lit from WKBS-TV, Alan Douglas from WKBF-TV, and Joe Dolan from KBHK-TV.{{Cite magazine |date=September 25, 1967 |title=Kaiser's plans move forward: Group's dream of network by late 1970 is supported by approval of Cleveland UHF purchase and other moves |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-09-25-BC.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108152001/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-09-25-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2022 |magazine=Broadcasting |page=54 |via=World Radio History |volume=73 |issue=13}}{{Cite news |last=Gaghan |first=Jerry |date=September 6, 1966 |title='99' Got Smart, Tries Cucumbers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-99-got-smart/139058599/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119061826/https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-99-got-smart/139058599/ |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |page=65 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last=Hart |first=Raymond P. |date=November 8, 1969 |title=Switches to Channel 43: Hey Kids, 'Barnaby' Is Returning Dec. 1 |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-12CE398439B8D7D2%402440534-12CE378D6D7D4058%4050-12CE378D6D7D4058?clipid=wjzvyltrglppsguzmhpvrcfstyqmdtyj_wma-gateway014_1664161162996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926042453/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40GB3NEWS-12CE398439B8D7D2%402440534-12CE378D6D7D4058%4050-12CE378D6D7D4058?clipid=wjzvyltrglppsguzmhpvrcfstyqmdtyj_wma-gateway014_1664161162996 |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |access-date=September 25, 2022 |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |page=7-D |via=GenealogyBank}} This planned network never gathered traction, and Kaiser faced significant financial losses from constructing the stations, with only WKBD-TV turning a profit.{{Cite magazine |last=Gelman |first=Morris |date=March 16, 1970 |title=Special Report: Breaking the UHF profit barrier |magazine=Broadcasting |pages=64–66 |volume=78 |issue=11 |id={{ProQuest|1014517010}}}} Gordon's program, however, was syndicated until his 1977 death.{{Cite news |last=Bowles |first=Billy |date=May 25, 1977 |title=Heart Failure Apparent Cause: Commentator Lou Gordon Dies at 60 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-heart-failure-apparen/135530186/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121155524/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-heart-failure-apparen/135530186/ |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |access-date=November 21, 2023 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit, Michigan |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-commentator-lou-gordo/135530217/ 16A] |via=Newspapers.com}} Kaiser Broadcasting was sold to Field Communications in 1977.{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1977 |title=Station sales rise with curve of air billings |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-01-31.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308042607/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-01-31.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=September 26, 2021 |work=Broadcasting |page=23 |id={{ProQuest|1014674421}}}}{{cite news |last=Walters |first=Donna K. H. |date=August 4, 1985 |title=An Empire Fades Away, but Its Legacy Lingers On : Final Chapter Is Being Written for What Once Was West's Greatest Industrial Power |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-08-04-fi-4512-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223033255/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/business/fi-4512_1_empire/6 |archive-date=December 23, 2014 |access-date=August 28, 2012 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}

In a series of columns in 1969 about a theoretical fourth network, Newspaper Enterprise Association writer Joan Crosby floated Westinghouse Broadcasting, Metromedia and Hughes Television Network (HTN) as possible candidates; Westinghouse was in the middle of merger talks with MCA Inc., while Metromedia was entertaining a purchase by the Transamerica Corporation. HTN was founded in 1956 as sports syndicator Sports Network, and purchased and renamed by business magnate Howard Hughes in 1968. Crosby speculated HTN could potentially add non-sports programs that "...can change viewer's dialing habits... it would be one way, less costly and with far less of a risk, to start the illusionary fourth network".{{r|Crosby}}

While Metromedia "dabbled at creating a fourth network," including a failed 1976 joint venture with Ogilvy and Mather called MetroNet, the company continued to operate solely as a station owner and syndicator.{{cite journal |last=Kanner |first=Bernice |date=June 17, 1985 |title=Thinking About a Fourth Network |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ab0BAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA19 |journal=New York Magazine |pages=19–23 |access-date=October 4, 2009 |via=Google Books}} Westinghouse president Donald McGannon denied his company had any network aspirations, estimating it would take $200 million per year to operate a full-time television network and a modest news department.{{r|Crosby}} HTN continued to operate as a sports syndicator and never offered non-sports programming.

{{Main|Television News Inc.}}

After the failure of the United Network in 1967, former ABC Radio president Robert Pauley was briefly retained by United ownership to relaunch the network as a supplier of news and public affairs programming.{{Cite magazine |date=September 4, 1967 |title=United plans for comeback |magazine=Broadcasting |pages=64, 66 |volume=73 |issue=10 |id={{ProQuest|1014505209}}}} The following year, Pauley briefly pitched a television news service of his own, using the same concept, before being hired by Mutual Broadcasting.{{Cite magazine |date=January 15, 1968 |title=Pauley to try own TV network |magazine=Broadcasting |page=59 |volume=74 |issue=3 |id={{ProQuest|1016844966}}}}{{Cite magazine |date=July 1, 1968 |title=The Media: MBS picks Pauley as president |magazine=Broadcasting |page=32 |volume=75 |issue=1}} In 1973, Pauley became the founding chief executive officer for Television News Inc. (TVN), a newsfilm service for stations in the United States and Canada.{{Cite news |date=May 15, 1973 |title=Newsfilm service started |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95633285/newsfilm-service-started/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223083548/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95633285/newsfilm-service-started/ |archive-date=February 23, 2022 |access-date=February 23, 2022 |newspaper=The Montreal Star |location=Montreal, Quebec, Canada |page=D-10 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Reuters}} TVN was majority-owned by the Coors Brewing Company, with Visnews as a minority owner, after Joseph Coors was receptive to Pauley's idea of a syndicated news supplier.{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Maury |date=May 18, 1973 |title=TVN May Do It: Breaking Network News Stranglehold |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95895890/tvn-may-do-it-breaking-network-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223083551/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95895890/tvn-may-do-it-breaking-network-news/ |archive-date=February 23, 2022 |access-date=February 23, 2022 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles, California |page=IV:25 |via=Newspapers.com}} TVN also proposed using the Westar satellite system to transmit programming to affiliates on a full-time basis.{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Les |date=January 10, 1975 |title=TV News Service to Transmit Materials by Satellite |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/10/archives/tv-news-service-to-transmit-materials-by-satellite-salvation-for.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223083553/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/10/archives/tv-news-service-to-transmit-materials-by-satellite-salvation-for.html |archive-date=February 23, 2022 |access-date=February 23, 2022 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

A political conservative sympathetic to the views of the John Birch Society,{{cite news |date=September 15, 1975 |title=Tough three days for Coors on Hill |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-09-15-BC.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108154506/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-09-15-BC.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=February 23, 2022 |work=Broadcasting |pages=42–44 |via=World Radio History |id={{ProQuest|1014684180}}}} Coors viewed TVN as an "alternative" to the established news services of ABC, NBC and CBS, which he deemed to be "liberal" in content.{{Cite news |last=Gould |first=Stanhope |date=March 1975 |title=Coors brews the news |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_columbia-journalism-review_march-april-1975_13_6/ |work=Columbia Journalism Review |pages=17–29 |id={{ProQuest|1298109913}}}}{{cite news |last=Isaacs |first=Stephen |date=May 5, 1975 |title=Coors Bucks Network 'Bias': Sets Up Alternative TV News to Offset Liberals |newspaper=The Washington Post |pages=A1, A3 |id={{ProQuest|120124542}}}} Former Nixon administration official Roger Ailes served as an executive for TVN briefly in 1975.{{Cite news |date=September 20, 1975 |title=Director of independent TV news company, Roger Ailes, resigns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95900958/director-of-independent-tv-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223083554/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95900958/director-of-independent-tv-news/ |archive-date=February 23, 2022 |access-date=February 23, 2022 |newspaper=Minneapolis Tribune |location=Minneapolis, Minnesota |page=15A |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press}} TVN was shut down in October 1975 after Coors, who had been nominated to the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, was scrutinized over his ownership of TVN and imposing of political beliefs into news content, along with his disdain for public broadcasting.{{r|brews}}{{r|WaPo750505}} Coors's CPB board nomination was rejected by the U.S. Senate on the same day that TVN closed.{{Cite news |date=October 31, 1975 |title=Panel refuses broadcast post to Coors official |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95632611/panel-refuses-broadcast-post-to-coors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223083555/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95632611/panel-refuses-broadcast-post-to-coors/ |archive-date=February 23, 2022 |access-date=February 23, 2022 |newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen |location=Tucson, Arizona |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=UPI}}

{{Main|Paramount Television Service}}

In 1977, Paramount Pictures made tentative plans to launch the Paramount Television Service, or Paramount Programming Service, a new fourth television network.{{cite news |last=Lowry |first=Brian |title=After 5 Years, the WB and UPN Still Head in Different Directions |url=http://faculty.washington.edu/baldasty/upn.htm |access-date=May 25, 2012 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} Paramount also purchased HTN, including its satellite time. Set to launch in April 1978, it would have initially consisted of only one night a week of programming for three hours, with 30 Movies of the Week that would have followed Star Trek: Phase II on Saturday nights.{{cite news|title='Star Trek' Will Be New TV Series|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5KUQAAAAIBAJ&pg=3501,2385839&dq=paramount+television+service&hl=en|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Free Lance-Star|location=Fredericksburg, Virginia|via=Google News|page=13|date=June 18, 1977|access-date=May 25, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} PTVS was delayed until the 1978–79 season due to advertisers that were cautious of purchasing commercial slots on the planned network.{{cite news|title=Snag Postpones 'Star Trek'|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QO4PAAAAIBAJ&pg=3440,1723028&dq=paramount+television+service&hl=en|newspaper=Boca Raton News|via=Google News|date=November 11, 1977|access-date=May 25, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} This plan was aborted when executives decided the venture would be too costly, with no guarantee of profitability.

In the 1970s, the "occasional" television networks started to appear with greater frequency with Norman Lear, Mobil Showcase Network, Capital Cities Communications, and Operation Prime Time, all entering the fray along with Metromedia.{{cite journal |last=Nadel |first=Gerry |date=May 30, 1977 |title=Who Owns Prime Time? The Threat of the 'Occasional' Networks |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YeMCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA35 |journal=New York Magazine |pages=34–35 |access-date=October 4, 2009}} In 1978, SFM Media Service, which assisted with the Mobil Showcase Network, launched its own occasional network, the SFM Holiday Network{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Jory |date=March 21, 1983 |title=Stan Moger and the Ad Hoc Networks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/46894465/ |access-date=May 29, 2012 |newspaper=The Gettysburg Times |agency=Associated Press}} and the General Foods Golden Showcase Network.{{cite journal|title=My Days and Nights with Moger|url=http://www.madisonavenuejournal.com/2006/09/11/my_days_and_nights_with_moger/|first=Kurt|last=Brokaw|journal=Madison Avenue Journal|date=September 11, 2006|access-date=September 1, 2012}} SFM was a provider of ad hoc network as a service to other clients including Del Monte Foods.

A few ad hoc networks were developed during the 1980s as conventional full-time networks were not buying theatrical feature films as much due to declining ratings for those telecasts, with networks arguing that pay television channels and videotapes had reduced the demand for films compared to those seen in the 1960s and 1970s. The studios considered the fact that the networks usually ran their films during rating sweeps periods up against other theatrical films, as being the cause of the slide in viewership. These ad hoc networks, formed by an advertiser or studio, would provide to the production companies ratings histories that the pay services could not provide for sales in a syndicated package, and only tie up the movie for a two-week window. These were set up using a barter system, with the network retaining five minutes per hour of ad time.{{sfn|Segrave|1999|pp=145–146}} Besides the Premiere Network and Debut Network, Orion Pictures, Warner Bros. and a joint venture of Viacom and Tribune Broadcasting all followed suit in announcing the launch of their own ad hoc networks in late 1984.{{cite book |last=Hilmes |first=Michele |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X4hr1AdKbYMC&q=premiere+network+mgm+ua&pg=PA191 |title=Hollywood and Broadcasting: From Radio to Cable |date=1999 |publisher=University of Illinois Press |isbn=0252068467 |page=191 |access-date=April 8, 2015}}

{{main|MGM/UA Premiere Network}}

MGM Television entered the field with its self-proclaimed fourth network, the MGM Family Network (MFN), on September 9, 1973, with the movie The Yearling on 145 stations. MFN was created to fill the family programming void from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. due to the implementation of the Prime Time Access Rule, using movies from the MGM library scheduled to air on one Sunday every two months. The premiere of MFN registered a 40 rating.{{cite news|title=Introducing The Fourth Network|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1973/1973-08-27-BC.pdf|type=Advertisement|periodical=Broadcasting|page=11|date=August 27, 1973|access-date=September 27, 2012}}{{cite journal|title='Yearling' slated for MGM Network|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1973/1973-09-03-BC.pdf|journal=Broadcasting|page=29pdf|date=September 3, 1973|access-date=September 27, 2012}}{{cite journal|title=One by One|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1973/1973-10-22-BC.pdf|journal=Broadcasting|page=30|date=October 22, 1973|access-date=September 27, 2012}}{{cite news|title=Why We Created the MGM Television Network|type=Advertisement|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1973/1973-03-26-BC.pdf|newspaper=Broadcasting|page=72|date=March 26, 1973|access-date=September 27, 2012}}{{cite news|title=He's Making the Lion Roar Again|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2512&dat=19730714&id=GshHAAAAIBAJ&pg=4623,1812599|first=Dick|last=Kleiner|newspaper=The Morning Record|location=Meridian, Connecticut|via=Google News|date=July 14, 1973|access-date=October 3, 2012}} The network broadcast only four times a year in September, January, March and May, and had 14 films assigned to the network from the MGM library.{{cite news|title=MGM Revival|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43541176/|first=Vernon|last=Scott|agency=United Press International|newspaper=The Ottawa Journal|location=Ottawa|page=121|date=November 10, 1973|access-date=March 25, 2015}}

By 1984, the studio, now known as MGM/United Artists, created the MGM/UA Premiere Network, an ad hoc network that broadcast 24 movies in double-runs on a monthly basis. Affiliation agreements had been signed with eight large-market television stations by that summer; MGM received 10{{Fraction|1|2}} minutes of advertising time within a two-hour movie telecast, while its stations would retain 11{{Fraction|1|2}} minutes.{{sfn|Segrave|1999|p=146}} 100 television stations were signed as affiliates by October 1984, with the planned launch pushed back and set for November 10 of that year.{{cite news|title=Film Studio's New Approach to TV|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/23/movies/film-studio-s-new-approach-to-tv.html|first=Stephen|last=Farber|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 23, 1984|access-date=April 8, 2015}}

{{Main|Operation Prime Time}}

Operation Prime Time (OPT) was a consortium of American independent television stations to develop prime time programming for independent stations. OPT and its spin-off syndication company, Television Program Enterprises (TPE), were formed by Al Masini. During its existence, OPT was considered the de facto fourth television network.[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/Al-Masini-January-5-1930-iw-3615480362.html?x=0 MarketWire via Yahoo! Finance], December 1, 2010

Prime Time planned three book adaptions for their shows to air in May, July and November or December 1978 with two of them being John Jakes's The Bastard and The Rebels leading the way for the rest of the book series that OPT optioned including two then currently being written. Martin Gosch's and Richard Hammer's The Last Testimony of Lucky Luciano was the third adaptation scheduled for 1978.{{cite news|title=Operation Prime Time sets three new shows|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-08-29.pdf|access-date=April 7, 2015|work=Broadcasting|date=August 29, 1977|page=20}}

The Kraft General Foods Golden Showcase Network, or Golden Showcase Network, was launched in 1980 with assistance from SFM and ran at least to 1989.{{cite news|last1=Key|first1=Janet|title=Despite Mega-budget, Att Sees Real Bargain In 'The Final Days'|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/11/01/despite-mega-budget-att-sees-real-bargain-in-the-final-days/|access-date=April 25, 2015|work=Chicago Tribune|date=November 1, 1989|quote=..."Kraft General Foods' "Golden Showcase" dramas... }} Programs on the Golden Showcase included The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank and Little Girl Lost.

{{main article|Universal Pictures Debut Network}}

The Universal Pictures Debut Network, or simply the Debut Network, was a similar ad hoc film network created by MCA Television. The service reached agreements with ten stations in larger markets such as New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago by late 1984. The network planned to launch in two stages beginning in September 1985.{{sfn|Segrave|1999|p=147}} In 1988, the movie network broadcast a special edition of Dune as a two-night event, with additional footage not included in the film's original release.{{cite book|title=The Cinema of David Lynch: American Dreams, Nightmare Visions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l5JwyKjpH2QC&pg=PA207|first1=Erica|last1=Davison|first2=Annette|last2=Sheen|publisher=Wallflower Press|page=207|date=2004|access-date=April 9, 2015|isbn=190336485X}} In June 1990, the Debut Network was ranked in fifth place among the ten highest-rated syndicated programs according to Nielsen.{{cite news|title=BY THE NUMBERS : The Top 10 Syndicated Television Shows|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-25-ca-541-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 25, 1990|access-date=April 9, 2015}}

In 1987, Harmony Gold USA collaborated with international backers, including Société Française de Productions and Reteeurope, both of the respective French, Italian and Spanish interests to set up a new project, and what the worldwide market represented to set up the Harmony Premiere Network, which was to be the next Operation Prime Time, and brings together U.S. and international financers to co-produce the products for Harmony Gold.{{Cite news|last=Gelman|first=Morrie|date=April 1, 1987|title=Harmony Gold TV Unveils Intl. Coproduction Project|pages=50, 70|work=Variety}}

In 1987, the company had teamed up with Italian company Silvio Berlusconi Communications to pay $150 million for a pact, to turn out 100 hours of television programming, and partnering will be dubbed by America 5 Enterprises, which will produce miniseries, TV series and telefilms using U.S. and international talent, and the two companies will share equally in costs and profits, and the company would handle worldwide and domestic television rights, with the exception of Europe, where distribution of the company will be handled through Berlusconi arm Reteitalia.{{Cite news |date=June 10, 1987 |title=Harmony Gold And Italy's Berlusconi In $150-Mil Pact |pages=42, 69 |work=Variety}}

In 1988, after the cancellation of Robotech II: The Sentinels, a number of the staff were recruited to work at Saban Entertainment. Carl Macek, along with his friend Jerry Beck went on to found Streamline Pictures. Meanwhile, Harmony Gold began moving away from production and began focusing more on film distribution, dot-com ventures and real estate.

After the scuttling of the plans for PPS, MCA tried again. The Hollywood Premiere Network was formed by MCA and Chris-Craft Industries, owner of several major independent stations via their United Television subsidiary. With basic cable channels snapping up movie packages, independents looked to making their own programming. Hollywood Premiere was originally tested as a two night programming block on United's KCOP and MCA's WWOR before syndicating the programming to other markets. The block took three new programs and paired them with the existing Paramount syndicated series Star Trek: The Next Generation; They Came from Outer Space and She-Wolf of London were paired in prime time Tuesday, while Shades of L.A. followed The Next Generation in prime time Wednesday.{{cite news|last=Cerone |first=Daniel |title=Ready for Prime Time? : With Three New Nighttime Shows, Independent KCOP Tries To Take On The Networks |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-07-tv-2703-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|page= |date=October 7, 1990}} The budget per episodes were estimated at $600,000 less than the network per episode cost at $1 million that the partners claimed. The Hollywood Premiere Network began broadcasting on October 9, 1990. MCA and Chris-Craft canceled the package after the first season.{{cite news|title=MCA TV Spins The Bottle |url=https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/mca-tv-spins-the-bottle-99128011/|access-date=April 6, 2017|work=Variety|date=April 10, 1995}} However, MCA TV was shopping the block and its shows at the NATPE January 1991 TV trade show.{{cite journal|title=Aisles of Programing at NATPE: MCA TV|journal=Broadcasting|date=January 14, 1991|page=95|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-01-14.pdf|access-date=June 15, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Guider |first=Elizabeth |title=TV Reps Cast A Wary Eye Over NATPE|url=https://variety.com/1991/more/news/tv-reps-cast-a-wary-eye-over-natpe-99123490/|access-date=June 15, 2017|work=Variety|date=January 14, 1991}}

{{main article|TVS Television Network}}

In 1968, then minority owner & vice chairman of the Chicago White Sox, Eddie Einhorn, founded the Television Sports Television Network (or TVS Television Network, for short) to telecast college basketball games to regional networks at a time when the sport was of no interest to the national networks. By the 1970s, TVS was producing entertainment programming alongside its sports programming. Einhorn eventually sold his interest in TVS to the Corinthian Broadcasting Corporation for $5 million.

{{Main|Fox Broadcasting Company}}

File:Fox Broadcasting Company logo (2019).svg

By 1985, there were 267 independent television stations operational in the U.S., most of which were broadcasting on VHF and UHF.

Rupert Murdoch, an Australian publishing mogul, initiated two major transactions in 1985 that finally resulted in a fourth television network. Murdoch's News Corporation first purchased controlling interest in 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation (TCF) on March 20, 1985, for $250 million,{{cite news |last=Schrage |first=Michael |date=March 21, 1985 |title=Murdoch Agrees to Buy A 50 Percent Share of 20th Century Fox Film |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1985/03/21/murdoch-agrees-to-buy-a-50-percent-share-of-20th-century-fox-film/8862819b-50de-4ad3-aeb5-70ca84f109f1 |accessdate=December 13, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite news |last=Storch |first=Charles |date=March 21, 1985 |title=MURDOCH BUYING HALF OF 20TH CENTURY-FOX |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-03-21-8501160118-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213024952/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-03-21-8501160118-story.html |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |accessdate=December 13, 2022 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune}} then on May 6, 1985, purchased Metromedia's program syndication unit and six television stations for $2.5 billion. The latter purchase immediately launched industry speculation of a new fourth network, as Murdoch boasted that the Metromedia stations could be used to exploit TCF's film and television library.{{cite news |date=May 7, 1985 |title=MURDOCH TO BUY & TV STATIONS; COST $2 BILLION |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/07/business/murdoch-to-buy-tv-stations-cost-2-billion.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214071830/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/07/business/murdoch-to-buy-tv-stations-cost-2-billion.html |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |accessdate=December 14, 2022 |newspaper=The New York Times}} To win regulatory approval for the deal, Murdoch gave up his Australian citizenship and became a naturalized U.S. citizen on September 4, 1985.{{cite news |date=September 4, 1985 |title=Murdoch Becomes U.S. Citizen, Can Buy TV Network |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-04-mn-23112-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040453/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-04-mn-23112-story.html |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |accessdate=December 14, 2022 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} When the Metromedia deal closed on March 6, 1986, it was renamed Fox Television Stations Group;{{Cite magazine |date=March 10, 1986 |title=In Brief |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-03-10.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308034627/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-03-10.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |magazine=Broadcasting |page=112 |via=World Radio History |volume=110 |issue=10 |id={{ProQuest|1014725836}}}} an executive team began to be recruited for Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox), which at that point only consisted of president Jamie Kellner and his secretary.{{Cite magazine |date=March 24, 1986 |title=Closed Circuit: Four to get ready |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-03-24.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023814/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-03-24.pdf |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |magazine=Broadcasting |page=7 |via=World Radio History |volume=110 |issue=12 |id={{ProQuest|1014725157}}}}

The launch of Fox took place through a staggered process. The network's first program, The Late Show with Joan Rivers, debuted on October 6, 1986, amid plans to unveil their first night of prime time programming on April 5, 1987.{{Cite news |last=Kubasik |first=Ben |date=January 15, 1987 |title=Fox Network Wants the NFL |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-fox-network-wants-the-nfl/123604676/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040459/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-fox-network-wants-the-nfl/123604676/ |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |access-date=April 26, 2023 |work=Newsday |location=New York, New York |page=13:II |via=Newspapers.com}} At the same time, TCF chairman Barry Diller openly floated the idea of Fox bidding against ABC for the rights to Monday Night Football,{{Cite news |last=Sonsky |first=Steve |date=January 18, 1987 |title=Fox's Ambitious Plans a Big Deal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-foxs-ambitions-plans-a/123603826/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427033944/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-foxs-ambitions-plans-a/123603826/ |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |access-date=April 26, 2023 |work=Miami Herald |location=Miami, Florida |page=11K |via=Newspapers.com}} which proved unsuccessful.{{Cite news |last=Rosenberg |first=Howard |date=April 4, 1987 |title=2 New Fox Series—Plainly No Vanilla |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-2-new-fox-seriesp/123605991/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427041455/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-2-new-fox-seriesp/123605991/ |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |access-date=April 26, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-2-new-fox-seriesp/123606120/ 12]:VI |via=Newspapers.com}} Encountering poor ratings and negative critical reviews, Joan Rivers left The Late Show on May 15, 1987;{{cite web |date=May 17, 1987 |title=Rivers Says Goodbye Not A Minute Too Soon |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-05-17-8702060610-story.html |accessdate=December 10, 2014 |work=Chicago Tribune}} while briefly encountering success with guest host Arsenio Hall, Fox replaced Late Show with The Wilton North Report, which was cancelled after 21 episodes.{{cite web |last=Krassner |first=Paul |date=February 14, 1988 |title=An Insider's Report on the Death of 'Wilton North' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-14-ca-42840-story.html |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times}}

Fox was ridiculed by critics and scorned by Big Three network executives, which believed that, like previous fourth network attempts, it would be limited by being mostly on UHF stations. NBC entertainment president Brandon Tartikoff dismissively nicknamed Fox "the coat hanger network," implying that viewers would need to attach wire hangers (often used as a free alternative to set-top loop antennas used to receive UHF signals) to their television sets to view the network's shows. NBC head Grant Tinker declared, "I will never put a fourth column on my schedule board. There will only be three."{{cite book|title=The Fourth Network|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/fourthnetworkhow00kimm|first=Dan|last=Kimmel|publisher=Ivan R. Dee|location=Chicago, Illinois|via=WNYC|year=2004|chapter=Chapter 1|access-date=October 4, 2009|isbn=1-56663-572-1|chapter-url-access=registration|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/fourthnetworkhow00kimm}} Indeed, just two years into its existence, the network was already struggling, and Fox executives considered pulling the plug on the network.{{cite news|title=Fourth Network Fights for Survival|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8069414.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102054450/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8069414.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2012|first=Ed|last=Siegel|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=July 5, 1988|access-date=October 3, 2009 }} By 1990, however, Fox cracked the top 30 in the Nielsen ratings through the surprise success of The Simpsons (an animated series spun off from The Tracey Ullman Show, one of the network's initial series), which became the first series from a fourth network to enter the top 30 since the demise of DuMont more than 30 years earlier.Highest-rated series is based on the annual top-rated programs list compiled by Nielsen Media Research and reported in: {{cite book|title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows|first1=Tim|last1=Marsh|first2=Earle|last2=Brooks|name-list-style=amp|edition=9th|publisher=Ballantine|location=New York City|year=2007|isbn=978-0-345-49773-4}}

By then, Fox did have some advantages that DuMont did not have back in the 1950s. During its first few years, Fox programmed just under the number of hours to be legally considered a network by the FCC (by carrying only two hours of programming a few nights a week, expanding to additional nights before eventually filling all seven nights in 1993), allowing it to make money and grow in ways that the established networks were prohibited from doing. News Corporation also had more resources and money to hire and retain programming and talent than DuMont. In addition, the expansion of cable television in the 1980s and 1990s allowed more viewers to receive UHF stations clearly (along with local VHF stations), through cable systems, without having to struggle with either over-the-air antennas or television sets with limited channel tuners to receive them.{{cite web |last=Ingram |first=Clarke |authorlink=Clarke Ingram |title=Channel Nine: Others |url=https://dumonthistory.com/9.html |website=DuMont Television Network Historical Web Site}} The Foxnet cable channel began operations in June 1991 to provide Fox's programming to smaller markets that were not served by an over-the-air Fox affiliate or one of the few superstations that carried the network. Boosted by successful shows like Married... with Children, 21 Jump Street, COPS, Beverly Hills, 90210, In Living Color, Martin, Melrose Place, Living Single and The X-Files (all appealing to the highly coveted and lucrative 18-49 demographic), Fox proved profitable by the 1990s. Finally, in December 1993, Fox hit a major milestone when it won the National Football Conference (NFC) rights to NFL football games from CBS,{{cite news|title=CBS, NBC Battle for AFC Rights // Fox Steals NFC Package|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4205316.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105135152/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4205316.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=December 18, 1993|access-date=April 18, 2015}} a move that by all accounts firmly established itself as the fourth major television network. Soon afterward, Fox convinced several affiliates of the other networks (CBS, NBC, and ABC) to switch to Fox.{{cite news|title=Fox Gains 12 Stations in New World Deal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4230288.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011163409/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4230288.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2013|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=May 23, 1994|access-date=April 18, 2015}}

As the nucleus of Fox centered around the former Metromedia, a company born from the former DuMont Television Network, veteran radio programmer Clarke Ingram—who researched the history of DuMont and early UHF broadcasting{{Cite web |last=Fybush |first=Scott |date=November 27, 2023 |title=Clarke Ingram – A Giant Is Gone |url=https://www.fybush.com/nerw-20231127/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=NorthEast Radio Watch |language=en-US}}—surmised that Fox was not a new network but DuMont "rising from the ashes".

• While commonly considered a part of the Fox network, the weekday Fox Children's Network (later Fox Kids Network), was launched in 1990 as a separate joint venture between Fox and some of its affiliates to compete against the Disney Afternoon syndicated block and to avoid being classified as a network under FCC rules if they aired over 15 hours of programming a week.{{cite news|title=Disney, Fox Clash Over Children's TV Programming|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-22-fi-1569-story.html|first=Michael|last=Cieply|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=February 22, 1990|access-date=May 11, 2011}}
• Bohbot Entertainment and Media moved its Bohbot Kids Network from syndication to network television on August 29, 1999, and was potentially considered to be the fourth broadcast kids' network. It consisted of two competing broadcasting services.{{cite news|title=It's Show Time! The Fall TV Preview|volume=4|url=http://www.awn.com/mag/issue4.06/4.06pages/amidifalltv/amidifalltv2.php3|access-date=April 23, 2015|work=Animation World Magazine|issue=6|publisher=Animation World Network|date=September 1999|page=2}}{{cite news|last=Schlosser|first=Joe|title=Bohbot zigs out of syndication|url=http://business.highbeam.com/3610/article-1G1-53079490/bohbot-zigs-out-syndication|access-date=March 13, 2014|newspaper=Broadcasting & Cable|date=October 5, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112157/http://business.highbeam.com/3610/article-1G1-53079490/bohbot-zigs-out-syndication|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}

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With the success with Fox, several other media companies started to enter the broadcasting world in the 1990s to create an additional commercial broadcast network that would allow a station to brand itself better and to stand out amongst the increasing number of television channels, particularly cable networks.{{cite news|last1=Cerone|first1=Daniel|title=TELEVISION : There's Action Off the Beaten Path : The ground is shifting in TV's prime time as a slew of new shows arrive--but don't go looking for them in the usual places|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-16-ca-12369-story.html |access-date= April 24, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 16, 1994}}

Fifth network attempts:

• The Premiere Program Service (PPS) was proposed by Universal Pictures parent MCA Inc. and Paramount Communications in 1989, with stations owned by Paramount's TVX Broadcast Group and MCA's WWOR-TV as charter outlets.{{cite book |last=Holt |first=Jennifer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DIT6xICevlkC&pg=PA91 |title=Empires of Entertainment: Media Industries and the Politics of Deregulation, 1980-1996 |date=2011 |publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=978-0813550527 |pages=90–91 |access-date=April 22, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Rivera Brooks |first=Nancy |date=October 20, 1989 |title=Paramount, MCA May Start a 5th Television Network |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-20-fi-93-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307161847/http://articles.latimes.com/1989-10-20/business/fi-93_1_fox-broadcasting |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |access-date=April 22, 2015 |url-status=live |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} With a proposed January 1991 launch, PPS was an outgrowth of a joint venture, Premiere Advertiser Sales, that handled advertising for syndicated programs from both studios.{{cite news|title=Plan Seen For Another TV Network|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/20/business/plan-seen-for-another-tv-network.html|first=Richard W.|last=Stevenson|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 20, 1989|access-date=April 22, 2015}} MCA and Paramount approached other Fox affiliates in early 1990 as possible PPS affiliates; after Fox objected to these solicitations, the plans for PPS were abandoned.{{cite news |last=Cieply |first=Michael |date=February 22, 1990 |title=Disney, Fox Clash Over Children's TV Programming |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-22-fi-1569-story.html |access-date=April 22, 2015 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=2}}
• The Star Television Network launched in September 1990 with a lineup consisting primarily of classic television series; it failed by January 1991.{{cite news |last1=Strother |first1=Susan G. |date=January 17, 1991 |title=Tv Network Signs Off – Out Of Cash |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1991/01/17/tv-network-signs-off-out-of-cash/ |access-date=January 20, 2015 |work=Orlando Sentinel}}
• The BHC Communications subsidiary of Chris-Craft Industries and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution subsidiary of Warner Bros. jointly launched the Prime Time Entertainment Network, a consortium created in attempt at creating a new "fifth network," in September 1993.{{cite news|title=Space, 2258, in the Year 1994|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-23-tv-14354-story.html|first=Susan|last=King|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|page=4|date=January 23, 1994|access-date=June 25, 2009}}{{cite magazine|title=Warner weblet to 2-night sked|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR107288.html?categoryid=14&cs=1|first=Jim|last=Benson|magazine=Variety|date=May 28, 1993}} Additional program services included the Spelling Premiere Network (headed by television producer Aaron Spelling),{{cite news |last1=Kleid |first1=Beth |date=August 28, 1994 |title=Focus : Spelling Check : Mega-Producer's Latest Venture is His Own 'Network' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-08-28-tv-31982-story.html |access-date=April 24, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times}} The Disney Afternoon and MCA/Universal's Action Pack and Universal Family Network. All American Television also considered launching a first-run movie network of 22 made-for-TV movies.{{cite news|title=All American Television. (planning movie network)|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15893304.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129101642/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15893304.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2016|access-date=April 27, 2015|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=November 21, 1994}}
• Time Warner partnered with Tribune Broadcasting to create The WB, which like UPN, launched with a limited schedule in January 1995.{{Cite news |last=Elizabeth Kolbert |date=November 3, 1993 |title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Warner Bros. Enters Race For Network |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/03/business/the-media-business-warner-bros-enters-race-for-network.html |access-date=September 2, 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Lynn Elber |date=November 2, 1993 |title=Time Warner TV Network to Cover 40% of Nation |work=The Buffalo News |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22543783.html |url-status=dead |access-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610085342/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22543783.html |archive-date=June 10, 2014 }}{{cite news|title=New Players Get Ready to Roll: UPN, WB Network Prepare to Take Their Shots|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16009427.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105214145/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16009427.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2013|first=David|last=Tobenkin|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=January 2, 1995|access-date=October 30, 2012 }}
• United Television partnered with Paramount to form the United Paramount Network (UPN), launching in January 1995 with a limited primetime lineup, with United stations and the renamed Paramount Stations Group as the core affiliate base.{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=October 27, 1993 |title=Paramount Plans a TV Network |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/27/business/paramount-plans-a-tv-network.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015094915/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/27/business/paramount-plans-a-tv-network.html |archive-date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=September 2, 2015 |newspaper=The New York Times}}
• The WB and UPN agreed to both dissolve on January 24, 2006, with The CW launched in their place.{{Cite web |last=Seid |first=Jessica |date=January 24, 2006 |title='Gilmore Girls' meet 'Smackdown'; CW Network to combine WB, UPN in CBS-Warner venture beginning in September |url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316043531/http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/ |archive-date=March 16, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2020 |website=CNN Money |publisher=CNN}}{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=January 24, 2006 |title=UPN and WB to Combine, Forming New TV Network |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html?bl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017035638/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html?bl |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |website=The New York Times}} The new "fifth network" was jointly owned by CBS Corporation & Warner Bros.; "CW" being derived from CBS and Warner.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Meg |last2=Gold |first2=Matea |date=January 25, 2006 |title=CBS, Warner to Shut Down 2 Networks and Form Hybrid |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jan-25-fi-cw25-story.html |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} The CW cherry-picked their affiliate base from the best-performing UPN and WB affiliates, excluding Fox-owned UPN affiliates (the majority of these being the former United Television group{{cite news |author=Sallie Hofmeister |date=August 12, 2000 |title=News Corp. to Buy Chris-Craft Parent for $5.5 Billion, Outbidding Viacom |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-12-fi-3272-story.html |access-date=February 3, 2015 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}) entirely.

Various other attempts at commercial broadcast networks:

• Paxson Communications launched Pax TV (stylized as "PAX") on August 31, 1998, with a "family-friendly" focus of high-profile off-network reruns and some first-run programming.{{Cite news |last=Heldenfels |first=R.D. |date=August 14, 1998 |title=Family of TV channels about to increase |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66230189/family-of-tv-channels-about-to-increase/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182305/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66230189/family-of-tv-channels-about-to-increase/ |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |pages=C1–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66230276/family-of-tv-channels-about-to/ C2] |via=Newspapers.com}} Paxson developed the network after a Supreme Court decision affirming the FCC's "must-carry" rules{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Catherine |date=July 6, 1997 |title=Court ruling spawns networks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66242268/court-ruling-spawns-networks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121205154/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66242268/court-ruling-spawns-networks/ |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66242337/court-ruling-spawns-networks-p2/ E3] |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press}} that benefitted Paxson's existing chain of UHF stations, all of which served as PAX's core.{{Cite news |last=Heldenfels |first=R.D. |date=November 7, 1997 |title=New networks gearing up to get piece of TV pie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66229968/new-networks-gearing-up-to-get-piece-of/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121205157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66229968/new-networks-gearing-up-to-get-piece-of/ |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66230067/new-networks-gearing-up-to-get-piece-of/ C8] |via=Newspapers.com}}
• Fox established MyNetworkTV as a replacement TV network for their former UPN outlets and other stations bypassed by The CW.{{cite news |date=February 22, 2006 |title=News Corp. Unveils MyNetworkTV |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/news-corp-unveils-my-network-tv-78935 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417165134/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/102922-News_Corp_Unveils_My_Network_TV.php |archive-date=April 17, 2009 |access-date=June 15, 2013 |work=Broadcasting & Cable}} Initially operating as a network, MyNetworkTV was downgraded to a syndication service in 2009.{{cite news |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=February 9, 2009 |title=MyNetworkTV Changing Business Model |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mynetworktv-changing-business-model-79036 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924193737/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mynetworktv-changing-business-model-79036 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |periodical=The Hollywood Reporter |format= |agency=Associated Press}}
• Channel America launched in 1988 as a program service specializing in public domain content, centered on low-power stations.{{cite news|title=Channel America Woos Ops, Advertisers|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-9224425.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924165224/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-9224425.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|access-date=October 25, 2012|first=Eric|last=Schatz|periodical=Multichannel News|publisher=Fairchild Publications|date=July 2, 1990}}{{cite news|title=On Ramp: Opportunities on Satellite|url=http://www.videomaker.com/article/1106/|first=M.|last=Bosko|work=Videomaker|date=July 1995|access-date=March 6, 2007|url-access=subscription }}
• In March 1998, USA Broadcasting—the former owned-stations division of HSN—announced the launch of "CityVision", developed by Barry Diller as a hyperlocal independent format.{{cite news |last1=Fabrikant |first1=Geraldine |date=November 23, 1998 |title=Diller's Latest Tele-Vision; First, a Network of Cubic Zirconium. Now, a Station of Lips and Hardbodies. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/23/business/diller-s-latest-tele-vision-first-network-cubic-zirconium-now-station-lips.html |access-date=January 25, 2017 |work=The New York Times}} WAMI in Miami, Florida, was the first CityVision station{{Cite magazine |last1=Surowiecki |first1=James |author-link=James Surowiecki |last2=de Llosa |first2=Patty |last3=Tarpley |first3=Natasha |date=April 12, 1999 |title=Barry Diller Is No Visionary, But... |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1999/04/12/258103/index.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114191037/http://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1999/04/12/258103/index.htm |archive-date=January 14, 2015 |access-date=January 8, 2015 |magazine=Fortune Magazine}} and the concept also launched in the Atlanta, Boston, and Dallas–Fort Worth markets.{{Cite news |last=Adalian |first=Josef |date=August 10, 1999 |title=USA B'casting gives Dallas a local angle |url=https://variety.com/1999/biz/news/usa-b-casting-gives-dallas-a-local-angle-1117750207/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919050355/https://variety.com/1999/biz/news/usa-b-casting-gives-dallas-a-local-angle-1117750207/ |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=Variety}}{{cite news |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=January 17, 1999 |title=USA looking at L.A., Chi, others for expansion |url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/cityvision-may-export-local-format-1117490304/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023054/http://variety.com/1999/tv/news/cityvision-may-export-local-format-1117490304/ |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=September 11, 2015 |work=Variety}} CityVision failed to take off in the markets it was launched in, and after USA Broadcasting registered losses of $62 million in 2000, Diller sold the station group to Univision for $1.1 billion.{{Cite news |last=McClellan |first=Steve |date=December 11, 2000 |title=Univision speaks Barry's lingo: $1.1B |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-2000/BC-2000-12-11.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926040502/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-2000/BC-2000-12-11.pdf |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |pages=18–19 |via=World Radio History |volume=130 |issue=51 |id={{ProQuest|225325811}}}}{{Cite news |last=Feran |first=Tom |date=December 8, 2000 |title=Hola, N.E. Ohio; WQHS goes Spanish: TV station is among 13 sold to Hispanic programmer |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80DC2EF3A75009 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919050355/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80DC2EF3A75009&f=basic |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |page=1C |via=NewsBank}}

Additional networks were formed with increasing frequency immediately before and especially following the digital television transition, which gave stations the ability to multiplex their broadcast signals by adding subchannels, many of which since 2009 are being used to host networks focusing less or not at all on original content and relying mainly on programming acquired by various distributors (particularly classic series and feature films that are no longer being picked up by many cable networks).{{cite news|title=Local Stations Multiply|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/112773-Local_Stations_Multiply.php#d9e6-0-a|first=Allison|last=Romano|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=March 9, 2008|access-date=August 28, 2012}}{{cite news|title=Wily Indies Succeed on Digital Channels Where Majors Struggle|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/wily-indies-succeed-on-digital-channels-where-majors-struggle-1201223064/|first=Cynthia|last=Littleton|periodical=Variety|date=June 18, 2014|access-date=April 23, 2015}}{{cite news|title=Classic TV shows get new life on digital airwaves|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-classic-tv-new-life-20150401-story.html#page=1|first=Stephen|last=Battaglio|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=April 1, 2015|access-date=April 23, 2015}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{cite book|first=Kerry|last=Segrave|title=Movies at Home: How Hollywood Came to Television|date=1999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uMlkAAAAMAAJ|publisher=McFarland|access-date=April 8, 2015|isbn=9780786406548}}

{{American broadcast television}}

{{Television in the United States}}

Category:History of television in the United States

Category:4 (number)