Cable television has come a long way since it burst onto the scene back in the 1970's or 1980's. I remember when cable television was an option. In the days before cable television, a household could get a perfectly acceptable selection of channels with the use of a simple antenna. Of course, if you stayed up past the Tonight Show, you were stuck with only one viewing option: Tom Snyder's late, late show. After that, it was nothing but snow. Still, it was free!
Today, cable television is no longer an option. If you don't have it or a satellite dish, you ain't watching' much. Rabbit ear antennas still do the trick, but will pick up very little these days.
Fortunately, cable television has evolved over the years so that it is now worth the price of admission. In addition to regular network channels, specialty channels offer viewers more opportunities than ever to learn and to be entertained.
Here are five of the very best channels cable television has to offer.
1. The History Channel. The History Channel features programming covering all aspects of world and U.S. history, including major historical events that have shaped the world and the United States, biographies of world leaders and important people and great documentaries. Who needs school?
2. The Food Network. The Food Network is a great resource for anyone who loves to cook…or to eat! Whatever you are looking for with respect to food, you will find it on this channel. A variety of cooking shows will teach you to bake and cook anything and everything, including ethnic and regional foods. Other shows will teach you how to cook on a budget, and even other shows will show you where to find the best restaurant meals.
3. The Travel Channel. Whether you are planning a vacation or dream of doing so one day, the Travel Channel allows viewers a glimpse of places all over the world. It is not limited to destinations, either. If you are wondering where to find the most haunted places in the world, the fanciest public bathrooms, or the most breathtaking railroad trip, you can see all of these things and more on the Travel Channel.
4. The Style Network. The Style Network offers everything you can imagine about fashion and beauty. From runway shows featuring the most glamorous and expensive styles, to tips on dressing well without breaking your budget, this channel covers every range of fashion. The Style Network doesn't stop at clothing, either. If you want to learn how to create a smoky, "Chicago" jazz style eye makeup look or what products will give you the plumpest lips, tune in to the Style Network.
5. The Discovery Channel. The Discovery Channel features documentaries and programming covering every area of science and, well, discovery! The Discovery Channel offers shows about every aspect of the scientific world, from weather-related phenomena, such as twisters, to natural phenomena, to behavioral science, such as fear. My son was once shown in a Discovery Channel episode which showed how babies learn fear, and how the Marine Corps teaches parachuters to overcome fear. The Discovery Channel even devotes an entire month to the most fascinating subject of all, sharks!
Copyright (c) 2005 by Leanne Phillips
