I have to make a correction to my previous post. From "most cable channels", to "many of of the most popular cable channels like TBS, TNT, USA, TNN(Spike), MTV, Nick@Nite, Discovery, Etc.". Channels like Nickelodeon and the AMC (suite), the Arts Channel (not to be confused with Classic Arts Showcase), The Learning Channel and others began as commercial free channels wholly dependent on subscriber fees. Channels like Bravo, the Entertainment Channel(Merged with Arts to make A&E), Disney Channel began as premium subscription networks, but all failed in that model so they adapted to be "basic" channels by forcing themselves on the line-up. In Disney's case "If you don't carry Disney on the basic line-up, you can't have ESPN"