SelecTV USA
Encyclopedia
SelecTV was a subscription (Pay TV
) television service formed in 1976, and first broadcasting in 1978 The service focused entirely on televising movies, and ended in 1991. The service originally allowed subscribers to pay only for programs "selected" during the month, with the first several minutes free (the decoder box included a phone hook-up to transmit information back to the billing office). It later went to a flat-fee basis.
SelecTV was transmitted via scrambled signal from a local UHF television station. A decoder box was required to unscramble the signal and permit normal viewing. SelecTV was available in at least three markets: in Milwaukee
on WCGV, channel 24 (now MyNetworkTV
), KWHY channel 22 in Los Angeles
(now a Spanish-language independent
), and WWSG channel 57 in Philadelphia
(now CW
affiliate WPSG
). On WWSG, the service utilized the gated-pulse scrambling technique for the video and using technology that would later be used to enable Multichannel television sound
moved the audio to a different subcarrier
, freeing the standard audio channel for use as a "barker" (sales promotion) channel. In 1984 New Jersey
based WHT The Movie Network
began offering SelecTV on its affiliated television stations after it stopped programming its own network, the affiliation with SelecTV would not last long however, within a year WHT ceased operations following a massive financial collapse as a result of a majority of their subscribers defecting to cable television services which offered more channels including pay-tv services like HBO
and Showtime.
In 1983, the service went national via satellite and was later purchased by Starion Entertainment, which eventually dropped the SelecTV branding in the late 1980s and renamed it Starion Premiere Cinema. The service ceased operations in 1991.
Unlike rival service ON-TV
, SelecTV specialized in airing movies and did not air sports events. Foreign films were often shown in dubbed and subtitled versions, indicated in the monthly programming guide. In the early '80s, the Los Angeles affiliate simulcast some shows from Z Channel
. During Oscar season in the Los Angeles market regular programming would often be preempted for special "Academy Consideration" screenings of films in contention for Oscar nominations. By 1985 (if not earlier), SelecTV aired softcore versions of pornographic films in their "Adult Theater" programming block.
Another thing making the channel unique was their policy of screening R-rated movies throughout the broadcast day, at a time when other pay services restricted R-rated content until after 8pm. SelecTV also transmitted its C-band satellite "in the clear" (unscrambled) for a longer time than rivals HBO and Showtime.
By 1984, OnTV and SelecTV merged, and some sports were broadcast on the combined service. Most of those events were simulcast from Prime Ticket, which was then a new regional sports network
.
In 1986, SelecTV produced one original, non-sports series, a half-hour comedy, “Channel K.” The title of the series was chosen to mock one of SelecTV’s early competitors, Z Channel
. Each half-hour episode was composed of shorter segments, averaging five minutes, spoofing television programming. There were two comedy spin-offs from Channel K, both also airing in 1986, presented in ten minute segments in order to be used when fill time was needed between movies. The first was “Bachelor Pad,” where a self-proclaimed ladies man gave not-so-helpful tips to single men looking to be more successful at dating women. The second, “Handy Dan,” gave do-it-yourself lessons that always led to disaster. In 1987, “Channel K” returned to the network briefly with the new title, “Son of Channel K.” Three volumes, including episodes of both “Channel K” and “Son of Channel K,” and segments of “Bachelor Pad” and “Handy Dan,” were released to the Home Video market in 1989 and 1990, as the SelecTV network, eroded away by the advancement of cable TV, went dark.
Pay TV
Pay television, premium television, or premium channels refers to subscription-based television services, usually provided by both analog and digital cable and satellite, but also increasingly via digital terrestrial and internet television...
) television service formed in 1976, and first broadcasting in 1978 The service focused entirely on televising movies, and ended in 1991. The service originally allowed subscribers to pay only for programs "selected" during the month, with the first several minutes free (the decoder box included a phone hook-up to transmit information back to the billing office). It later went to a flat-fee basis.
SelecTV was transmitted via scrambled signal from a local UHF television station. A decoder box was required to unscramble the signal and permit normal viewing. SelecTV was available in at least three markets: in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
on WCGV, channel 24 (now MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
), KWHY channel 22 in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
(now a Spanish-language independent
Independent station
An independent station is in the category of television terminology used to describe a television station broadcasting in the United States or Canada that is not affiliated with any television network....
), and WWSG channel 57 in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
(now CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
affiliate WPSG
WPSG
WPSG, channel 57, is a television station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. WPSG is owned by the CBS Corporation and is the east coast flagship station for the CW Television Network, which is owned jointly by CBS and Time Warner...
). On WWSG, the service utilized the gated-pulse scrambling technique for the video and using technology that would later be used to enable Multichannel television sound
Multichannel television sound
Multichannel television sound, better known as MTS , is the method of encoding three additional channels of audio into an NTSC-format audio carrier.- History :...
moved the audio to a different subcarrier
Subcarrier
A subcarrier is a separate analog or digital signal carried on a main radio transmission, which carries extra information such as voice or data. More technically, it is an already-modulated signal, which is then modulated into another signal of higher frequency and bandwidth...
, freeing the standard audio channel for use as a "barker" (sales promotion) channel. In 1984 New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
based WHT The Movie Network
Wometco Home Theater
The Wometco Home Theater was an early pay television service in the New York City area, owned by Miami-based Wometco Enterprises, which owned several major network affiliates in medium markets and their flagship WTVJ in Miami...
began offering SelecTV on its affiliated television stations after it stopped programming its own network, the affiliation with SelecTV would not last long however, within a year WHT ceased operations following a massive financial collapse as a result of a majority of their subscribers defecting to cable television services which offered more channels including pay-tv services like HBO
Home Box Office
HBO, short for Home Box Office, is an American premium cable television network, owned by Time Warner. , HBO's programming reaches 28.2 million subscribers in the United States, making it the second largest premium network in America . In addition to its U.S...
and Showtime.
In 1983, the service went national via satellite and was later purchased by Starion Entertainment, which eventually dropped the SelecTV branding in the late 1980s and renamed it Starion Premiere Cinema. The service ceased operations in 1991.
Unlike rival service ON-TV
ON-TV
ON-TV, also known as National Subscription Television, was a subscription television service launched in 1977 by Oak Industries, Norman Lear's Chartwell Enterprises and Jerry Perenchio. Oak was a manufacturer of satellite and pay-TV decoders and equipment...
, SelecTV specialized in airing movies and did not air sports events. Foreign films were often shown in dubbed and subtitled versions, indicated in the monthly programming guide. In the early '80s, the Los Angeles affiliate simulcast some shows from Z Channel
Z Channel
The Z Channel was one of the first pay cable stations in the United States. Launched in 1974 from Los Angeles, California, this station was known for its devotion to the art of cinema due to the eclectic choice of films by the programming chief, Jerry Harvey...
. During Oscar season in the Los Angeles market regular programming would often be preempted for special "Academy Consideration" screenings of films in contention for Oscar nominations. By 1985 (if not earlier), SelecTV aired softcore versions of pornographic films in their "Adult Theater" programming block.
Another thing making the channel unique was their policy of screening R-rated movies throughout the broadcast day, at a time when other pay services restricted R-rated content until after 8pm. SelecTV also transmitted its C-band satellite "in the clear" (unscrambled) for a longer time than rivals HBO and Showtime.
By 1984, OnTV and SelecTV merged, and some sports were broadcast on the combined service. Most of those events were simulcast from Prime Ticket, which was then a new regional sports network
Regional sports network
In the United States of America and Canada, a regional sports network, or RSN, is a cable television station that presents sports programming to a local market. The most important programming on an RSN consists of live broadcasts of professional and college sporting events, as those games generate...
.
In 1986, SelecTV produced one original, non-sports series, a half-hour comedy, “Channel K.” The title of the series was chosen to mock one of SelecTV’s early competitors, Z Channel
Z Channel
The Z Channel was one of the first pay cable stations in the United States. Launched in 1974 from Los Angeles, California, this station was known for its devotion to the art of cinema due to the eclectic choice of films by the programming chief, Jerry Harvey...
. Each half-hour episode was composed of shorter segments, averaging five minutes, spoofing television programming. There were two comedy spin-offs from Channel K, both also airing in 1986, presented in ten minute segments in order to be used when fill time was needed between movies. The first was “Bachelor Pad,” where a self-proclaimed ladies man gave not-so-helpful tips to single men looking to be more successful at dating women. The second, “Handy Dan,” gave do-it-yourself lessons that always led to disaster. In 1987, “Channel K” returned to the network briefly with the new title, “Son of Channel K.” Three volumes, including episodes of both “Channel K” and “Son of Channel K,” and segments of “Bachelor Pad” and “Handy Dan,” were released to the Home Video market in 1989 and 1990, as the SelecTV network, eroded away by the advancement of cable TV, went dark.
External links
- SelecTV Station ID & Break from 1981 at The Museum of Classic Chicago Television (www.FuzzyMemories.TV)
- SelecTV Short Subject, Previews & IDs from 1981 at The Museum of Classic Chicago Television (www.FuzzyMemories.TV)
- SelecTV End Of Film & Preview from 1981 at The Museum of Classic Chicago Television (www.FuzzyMemories.TV)