COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 51321

Cable Networks

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

29companies1853–2001founding years24still active5no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedVivendi Universal S.A.
1853
FoundedManchester United Football Club plc
1878
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedLandmark Communications, Inc.
1905
FoundedUniversal Studios, Inc.
1912
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedTelefónica S.A.
1924
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedQuebecor Inc.
1965
FoundedAdelphia Communications Corporation
1972
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedESPN, Inc.
1978
FoundedNews Corporation Limited
1979
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedUSA Interactive, Inc.
1982
FoundedA & E Television NetworksFoundedCanal PlusFoundedLifetime Entertainment Services
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedAlliance Atlantis Communications Inc.
1985
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedCrown Media Holdings, Inc.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedHollywood Media Corporation
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedUnited Pan-Europe Communications NV
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedAOL Time Warner Inc.
2001
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Vivendi Universal S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1853 · France
Formerly known as the Générale des Eaux Group, Vivendi Universal S.A.
Manchester United Football Club plc →
Active · founded 1878 · United Kingdom
Manchester United Football Club plc has earned a reputation as England's most financially successful football team.
Pathé SA →
Active · founded 1896 · France
One of the most illustrious names in motion picture history, Pathé remains one of France's leading forces in film…
Landmark Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1905
Landmark Communications, Inc.
Universal Studios, Inc. →
Active · founded 1912
Universal Studios, Inc.
Rogers Communications Inc. →
Active · founded 1920 · Canada
The largest communications company in Canada, Rogers Communications Inc.
Telefónica S.A. →
Active · founded 1924 · Spain
Until the 1990s the government-controlled public company known since May 1988 as Telefónica de España, S.A.
Power Corporation of Canada →
Active · founded 1925 · Canada
Early 1950s:Company begins to diversify its interests away from the utility industry.
Quebecor Inc. →
Active · founded 1965 · Canada
Quebecor Inc.
Adelphia Communications Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1972
With more than 5.8 million subscribers in 37 U.S.
CanWest Global Communications Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1973 · Canada
CanWest Global Communications Corporation is Canada's largest private sector television broadcaster.
ESPN, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
ESPN, Inc.
News Corporation Limited →
Active · founded 1979 · Australia
News Corporation Limited is the holding company for the large range of enterprises created or acquired since the 1950s…
The Weather Channel Companies →
Active · founded 1981
Through cable TV, radio, and Internet operations, The Weather Channel Companies provide around-the-clock weather…
USA Interactive, Inc. →
Active · founded 1982
The history of USA Interactive, Inc., formerly USA Networks, Inc., involves some of the media's biggest names,…
LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation →
Active · founded 1983
LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation is a leading entertainment company providing network-based video games,…
A & E Television Networks →
Active · founded 1984
A & E Television Networks began modestly in 1984 with one cable channel, The Arts & Entertainment Network, which…
Canal Plus →
Active · founded 1984 · France
With nearly 14 million subscribers across Europe and Africa, Canal Plus ranks as one of the world's premiere…
Global Outdoors, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Global Outdoors, Inc.--known as Global Resources, Inc.
Lifetime Entertainment Services →
Active · founded 1984
Lifetime Entertainment Services is a joint venture owned by The Walt Disney Company and The Hearst Corporation.
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1985 · Canada
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.
Cablevision Systems Corporation →
Active · founded 1985
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the largest cable systems operators in the United States, providing service…
Crown Media Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
MIH Limited →
Active · founded 1991 · The Netherlands
MIH Limited (MIHL) operates pay-television services internationally in three regions: Africa, the Mediterranean, and…
Hollywood Media Corporation →
Active · founded 1993
Hollywood Media Corporation is a diversified company offering news, information, and ticketing services related to the…
United Pan-Europe Communications NV →
Active · founded 1995 · The Netherlands
Not content with becoming one of Europe's largest cable television companies, with more than seven million subscribers,…
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG →
Active · founded 2000 · Germany
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG is the largest television company in Germany.
AOL Time Warner Inc. →
Defunct · founded 2001
Global media powerhouse AOL Time Warner Inc.
Liberty Media Corporation →
Active · founded 2001
Liberty Media Corporation is a holding company with a variety of subsidiaries and investments operating in the media,…
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