The first I experience was Whitesburg, Kentucky. That system was created in the early 50's by a local radio/TV retailer. The line-up was the following
circa the 1970's:
2) ABC-WHTN (WOWK) Huntington, WV/WKPT Kingsport, TN/WLOS Asheville, NC
3) PBS-WSJK Sneedville, TN/WKHA (KET) Hazard, KY. When PBS was off the air or for Reds games it was WSAZ (NBC) Huntington, WV
4) CBS-WJHL Johnson City, TN/WBIR Knoxville, TN
5) NBC WKYH Hazard, KY (Became WYMT (CBS) in 1985)
6) NBC WHIS (WVVA) Bluefield, WV/WCYB Bristol/WATE Knoxville
As you can tell, it was a challenge to watch syndicated programming as the line up would change based on atmospheric conditions and the whim of the
cable company.