Cable nets do digital; MTV follows Disney, Lifetime in unveiling multiple channels. (MTV Networks, Lifetime Television, new digital cable networks)

Broadcasting & Cable, December, 1997 by Higgins, John M.

After sitting largely on the sidelines while operators made plans to launch digital tiers, major programmers are beginning to stake their own claims on that new channel capacity.

MTV Networks and Lifetime Television have unveiled new digital cable networks filled with inexpensive product. MTVN's two music net-works--MTV and VH1--will launch a seven-pack of video services called The Suite. Each service will have a different flavor, from Latin to country. Life-time Movies will concentrate on inexpensive made-for-TV movies. The moves followed by a week the disclosure by Geraldine Laybourne (Walt Disney Co./ABC Cable Networks president) that the company would craft at least four digital networks in the coming months, including services based on soap operas and...

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