Channel America Pt. III - Attack of the Clones
3rd February, 2024
Alright, one more delve into the strange network that sought to dominate low-power television... and the networks that tried to ride off its "success".
In my previous posts, I mentioned that Channel America wasn’t alone in the quest to do something with LPTV. LPTV, after all, was a recent development, beginning in 1982 in the United States. The problem with cornering this market is the lack of reach, especially in the era of cable and satellite. Unlike full-power broadcasters, like your local NBC or CBS or whatever, these smaller stations aren’t guaranteed to be picked up by cable providers. Often, they fall under the cracks if you’re not using an antenna and digital tuner. No wonder these kinds of stations don’t really exist today.
But back before cable’s complete domination, when LPTV seemed like a promising new development, we had Channel America and others like it. I can’t go over every single LPTV (or small independent) network in complete detail, so here’s some that I thought were particularly noteworthy.
- America One: Often getting mixed up with Channel America, this network aired on many of the same LPTV stations that Channel America would soon leave. Airing from 1995 until 2015, America One was another minor broadcast network that was notable for carrying local sporting events, as well as their early entry into online livestreaming. Merged with older cable network Yootoo America and now lives on through it. As of 2024, searching for America One often gets search queries confused for a more recent hyper-conservative news broadcaster. I swear, these networks always have the most unfortunate names.
- Star Television Network: There’s not even any actual footage of this one. This is a local network to me, originating from Orlando, Florida. Unlike Channel America, Star had its sights set on becoming the definitive fifth television network in America. Prior to launch, it was known as “Starcast”, then “STN”, then simply “Star” when it launched in 1989. Interestingly, Star’s older (syndicated) programming went under the branding of “TV Heaven” and the rest of the schedule was comprised of… infomercials. The station lasted less than two years on the air.
- American Independent Network (AIN): A close successor to Channel America and America One. Just like Channel America, the network comprised of only LPTV stations and came on the air sometime in 1992. Ironic to its name is this footage of an American Independent Network affiliate carrying something called “GOP-TV”, as well as the fact that it was spun off into the Black-focused Urban American Television in late 2001.
- Network One: Launched on December 1, 1993, Network One did basically the same thing as the other Channel America-likes. This one actually had some interesting programming, though! The network focused on alternative programming and was one of the earlier outlets for anime in the United States. The USA Network series Night Flight was also rerun in syndication on Network One, along with programming for the new-age crowd, bikini contests, the usual cheap independent station fare. As you may have gathered from the previous note about N1’s programming, the commercials were apparently full of those 1-900 “naughty” lines… I might have to make a post on those eventually. Network One closed in November 1997. (Bonus: Network One was so hip that they had their own website by the time they closed in 1997. Check out the website and programming via the Wayback Machine here!) (As a bonus, here’s some N1 commercials from 1997, shortly before their end. You’ll see what I mean about the 1-900 phone lines. [Adults only, please.])
- Video Jukebox Network/The Box: This is an interesting one that I’d like to talk more about someday. As the name suggests, The Box was an over-the-air competitor to MTV and it was also carried over cable. The main distinction was that viewers decided what The Box should air by calling their number, later via the internet or by texting a number, and requesting a video (at around $1.99 per play). The Box still lives on today, now owned by Channel 4 in the UK. (Although, as of a few days before the writing of this post, Channel 4 has announced the closure of all networks under The Box Plus Network, as it’s known today. This closure is set to take place sometime before the end of 2024.)
- My Pet Television Network I’m cheating here since this is a cable network, but I feel like some of you wanted to know more about this from the first Channel America blog post. The network launched in July 1997, although reports from the Channel America side of things say September. Cable subscribers saw an hour of pet programming a day, along with pet product infomercials branded as “Petsville USA”, and the network went out quietly by August of the following year. The demand for pet-related television never truly went away. “Pet sitter” tapes were always around and you can see endless “dog TV” videos on YouTube these days. Currently, no footage exists of this network.
America ONE. Not anything else... except for a Channel America clone.
I guess that's what Star could've looked like? Maybe??
O' say does that bad CGI yet wave... (Yeah, the timestamp's annoying, but it means I can lead you back to the source.
N1 was weird.
You, that's right, YOU can control your MTV for only $1.99 a call!
Again, this isn’t a comprehensive list or history of any of these networks, just a general overview of ones I found interesting. Looking into Yootoo America led me to something called “GodTube” and I think I’ve heard enough preachiness for today to click on that. (Seriously, most of these little stations air nothing but crazy Christian programming these days.)
Until next time, when I’m not fighting off the demonic forces of the menace known as SpongeBob SquarePants and throwing away my life’s savings to some bombastic Texan who keeps screaming to me through my television set… I guess I’ll just keep looking up. To normal stations.
- Lcd101