An important part of the cable TV narrative is its major economic impact. In the U.S., the industry generates billions of dollars for basic, premium and pay-per-view cable products and employs nearly 2 million people. Many others are indirectly employed in the cable industry by the benefits it produces; for example, factory workers who produce the DVDs for syndicated cable shows.
Cable can be analyzed for its impact on the world of media. Cable TV revolutionized a media world once dominated by print and by the NBC, CBS and ABC broadcast networks. It forecast the explosion of choices and freedom of self-selection that characterizes the media world today, with virtually infinite sources of entertainment, news and communication. Cable is also blamed for contributing to sedentary lifestyles, idleness and dependence.
Many analysts, academics and social commentators look at cable's role in the artistic world. Because cable stations, especially premium stations, have historically been freer of restrictions, they've been able to experiment with different programming ideas, themes and formats. HBO is often credited for the originality and creativity of its programming. Such programs have provided fodder for analysts to study cable's impact on the art world.
At the root of cable is some rather complex technology. Technical analysis of cable examines its comparatively simple origins to its rapid expansion to more recent technologies involved fiber optic networks and other innovations.