Reston VA Cable TV History
Front Page - Mailbag - Dave's Cable Page - Support DCRTVBack in the early 1970s, the Reston system was operated by an entity entitled the Reston Transmission Company, and featured 14 channels -- the local Washington and Baltimore channels and a channel or two devoted to local weather and community programming. From the mid-70s through the mid-90s, the system had been owned by Warner Cable (and, for a while, under the Warner-Amex name). Under Warner, the system capacity was expanded to its an 80 channel capacity. In early 1996 Jones Communications purchased the Reston cable system. Jones, in turn, was purchased by Comcast in mid-1999. In late 1999, Comcast completed a fiberoptic rebuild of the Reston system. The rebuild converted the old dual-cable system to a single-cable system that can carry more than 80 standard (analog) channels, new digital services, and high-speed internet connections. Comcast launched a cable internet service in the spring of 2000, and a variety of digital services in the summer of 2000. Here is what the Reston cable system has offered in the days gone by...
1973 - Reston Transmission Company
"A" Cable2 WRC-4-NBC-Washington DC
3 WETA-26-PBS-Washington DC
4 (blank)
5 (blank)
6 WTTG-5-IND-Washington DC
7 (blank)
8 Reston Community Television/Announcements
9 (blank)
10 WMAL-7-ABC-Washington DC
11 WTOP-9-CBS-Washington DC
12 WDCA-20-IND-Washington DC
13 WNVT-53-PBS-Goldvein VA
"B" Cable
2 WMAR-2-CBS-Baltimore MD
3 Weather Information
4 (blank)
5 (blank)
6 AP Newswire
6* Star Channel (videotaped movies, one-channel converter box needed)
7 (blank)
8 (blank), WBFF-45-IND-Baltimore MD (added in 1975-ish)
9 (blank)
10 (blank), WTKK-66-IND-Manassas VA (added in 1979-ish)
11 WBAL-11-NBC-Baltimore MD
12 (blank)
13 WJZ-13-ABC-Baltimore MD
Rates: Cable service was $8.50 a month. Star Channel was another $6 or so.
1981 - Warner Cable
"A Cable"2 WRC-4-NBC-Washington DC
3 WETA-26-PBS-Washington DC
4 (blank)
5 (blank)
6 WTTG-5-IND-Washington DC
7 (blank)
8 Reston Community Television
9 (blank)
10 WJLA-7-ABC-Washington DC
11 WDVM-9-CBS-Washington DC
12 WDCA-20-IND-Washington DC
13 WNVT-53-PBS-Goldvein VA
14 WAPB-22-PBS-Annapolis MD
15 WBFF-45-IND-Baltimore MD
16 WTKK-66-IND-Manassas VA
17 WMAR-2-CBS-Baltimore MD
18 WBAL-11-NBC-Baltimore MD
19 AP News, NOAA Weather
20 WJZ-13-ABC-Baltimore MD
21 WTBS-Atlanta GA
22 WOR-New York NY
"B" Cable
2 ESPN
3 Music Television
4 (blank)
5 (blank)
6 USA Network/C-SPAN/Black Entertainment Television
7 (blank)
8 The Movie Channel
9 (blank)
10 Home Box Office
11 Cable News Network
12 Modern Satellite Network
13 Nickelodeon
1987 - Warner Cable
"A" Cable2 WRC-4-NBC-Washington DC
3 WETA-26-PBS-Washington DC
4 (blank)
5 (blank)
6 WTTG-5-FOX-Washington DC
7 (blank)
8 Reston Community Television
9 (blank)
10 WJLA-7-ABC-Washington DC
11 WUSA-9-CBS-Washington DC
12 WDCA-20-IND-Washington DC
13 WNVT-53-PBS-Goldvein VA
14 WMPT-22-PBS-Annapolis MD
15 WBFF-45-IND-Baltimore MD
16 WTKK-66-IND-Manassas VA
17 WMAR-2-NBC-Baltimore MD
18 WBAL-11-CBS-Baltimore MD
19 AP News, NOAA Weather Radio
20 WJZ-13-ABC-Baltimore MD
21 TBS-Atlanta
22 Lifetime
23 WNVC-56-PTV-Fairfax VA
24 WHMM-32-PBS-Washington DC
25 CNN Headline News
26 C-SPAN
27 Showtime
28 WFTY-50-IND-Washington DC
"B" Cable
2 ESPN
3 Music Television
4 (blank)
5 (blank)
6 USA Network
7 (blank)
8 The Movie Channel
9 (blank)
10 Home Box Office
11 Cable News Network
12 Home Shopping Network
13 Nickelodeon/Arts & Entertainment Network
1988 - Warner Cable
2 WMAR-2-NBC-Baltimore MD3 WETA-26-PBS-Washington DC
4 Turner Network Television
5 WNVT-53-PBS-Goldvein VA
6 WTTG-5-FOX-Washington DC
7 WJLA-7-ABC-Washington DC
8 Reston Community Television
9 WUSA-9-CBS-Washington DC
10 Channel Listing
11 WMPT-22-PBS-Annapolis MD
12 WRC-4-NBC-Washington DC
13 WDCA-20-IND-Washington DC
14 TBS-Atlanta
15 WBFF-45-IND-Baltimore MD
17 WTKK-66-IND-Manassas VA
18 WBAL-11-CBS-Baltimore MD
19 AP News, NOAA Weather Radio
20 WJZ-13-ABC-Baltimore MD
22 Lifetime
23 WNVC-56-PTV-Fairfax VA
24 WHMM-32-PBS-Washington DC
25 CNN Headline News
26 C-SPAN
27 Showtime
28 WFTY-50-IND-Washington DC
30 The Nashville Network
31 The Discovery Channel
32 Movietime
33 Arts & Entertainment Network
34 CBN Family Channel
35 Video Hits One
36 Electronic Program Guide
38 Home Box Office
39 The Disney Channel
40 The Movie Channel
41 Cinemax
68/B2 ESPN
69/B3 Music Television
71/B5 Univision
72/B6 USA Network
73/B7 Cable Value Network
74/B8 The Movie Channel
76/B10 Home Box Office
77/B11 Cable News Network
78/B12 Home Shopping Network
79/B13 Nickelodeon/Arts & Entertainment Network
90/B24 The Learning Channel
92/B26 C-SPAN 2
93/B27 Financial News Network/Teleshop
94/B28 Nickelodeon
1990 - Warner Cable
2 WRC-4-NBC-Washington DC3 WETA-26-PBS-Washington DC
4 Turner Network Television
5 WTKK-66-IND-Manassas VA
6 WTTG-5-IND-Washington DC
7 AP News Plus, NOAA Weather Radio
8 Reston Community Television
9 WNVT-53-PBS-Goldvein VA
10 Fairfax Cable Access
11 WMAR-2-NBC-Baltimore MD
12 WJLA-7-ABC-Washington DC
13 WUSA-9-CBS-Washington DC
14 TBS-Atlanta
15 WDCA-20-IND-Washington DC
16 Fairfax County Government
17 WBFF-45-IND-Baltimore MD
18 WBAL-11-CBS-Baltimore MD
19 WMPT-22-PBS-Annapolis MD
20 WJZ-13-ABC-Baltimore MD
21 Fairfax Public Schools
22 Lifetime
23 WNVC-56-PTV-Fairfax VA
24 WHMM-32-PBS-Washington DC
25 CNN Headline News
26 C-SPAN
28 WFTY-50-IND-Washington DC
29 Showtime
30 The Nashville Network
31 The Discovery Channel
32 Bravo
33 Arts & Entertainment Network
34 The Family Channel
35 Video Hits One
36 Prevue Guide
37 Home Team Sports
38 Home Box Office
39 The Disney Channel
40 The Movie Channel
41 Cinemax
42 ESPN
43 Music Television
44 Fairfax Public Library
45 Univision
46 USA Network
47 QVC
48 George Mason University
49 Northern Virginia Community College
51 Cable News Network
52 Home Shopping Network
63 The Weather Channel
65 Black Entertainment Television
66 C-SPAN 2
67 Financial News Network
70 Nickelodeon
71 Movietime
78 Pay-Per-View Announcements
79 Pay-Per-View Previews
80 Pay-Per-View
1991 - Warner Cable
2 WHMM-32-PBS-Washington DC3 C-SPAN
4 WRC-4-NBC-Washington DC
5 WTTG-5-FOX-Washington DC
6 WETA-26-PBS-Washington DC
7 WJLA-7-ABC-Washington DC
8 Reston Community Television
9 WUSA-9-CBS-Washington DC
10 Fairfax Cable Access
11 WFTY-50-IND-Washington DC
12 Prevue Guide
13 WNVT-53-PBS-Goldvein VA
15 WNVC-56-PTV-Fairfax VA
16 Fairfax County Government
17 WTKK-66-IND-Manassas VA
20 WDCA-20-IND-Washington DC
21 Fairfax Schools
22 WMPT-22-PBS-Annapolis MD
28 Pay-Per-View Schedule
29 Pay-Per-View Previews
30 Pay-Per-View
31 Pay-Per-View
35 Showtime
36 Bravo
37 Home Team Sports
38 Home Box Office
39 The Disney Channel
40 The Movie Channel
41 Cinemax
44 Fairfax Library
48 George Mason University
49 Northern Virginia Community College
52 ESPN
53 Music Television
54 American Movie Classics
55 Univision
56 USA Network
57 QVC
58 The Family Channel
59 The Discovery Channel
60 Arts & Entertainment Network
61 Cable News Network
62 Home Shopping Network
63 The Weather Channel
64 The Nashville Network
65 Black Entertainment Television
66 C-SPAN 2
67 Financial News Network
68 Video Hits One
70 Nickelodeon/Nick At Nite
71 Movietime
72 The Comedy Channel
74 Turner Network Television
75 Lifetime
76 WMAR-2-NBC-Baltimore MD
77 TBS-Atlanta
78 WBAL-11-CBS-Baltimore MD
79 AP News, NOAA Weather Radio
80 WJZ-13-ABC-Baltimore MD
81 CNN Headline News
82 WBFF-45-FOX-Baltimore MD
1993 - Warner Cable
2 WHMM-32-PBS-Washington DC3 WBAL-11-CBS-Baltimore MD
4 WRC-4-NBC-Washington DC
5 WTTG-5-FOX-Washington DC
6 WETA-26-PBS-Washington DC
7 WJLA-7-ABC-Washington DC
8 Reston Community Television
9 WUSA-9-CBS-Washington DC
10 Fairfax Cable Access
11 WFTY-50-IND-Washington DC
12 Prevue Guide
13 WNVT-53-PBS-Goldvein VA
15 WNVC-56-PTV-Fairfax VA
16 Fairfax County Government
17 WTKK-66-IND-Manassas VA
20 WDCA-20-IND-Washington DC
21 Fairfax Schools
22 WMPT-22-PBS-Annapolis MD
23 C-SPAN
24 C-SPAN 2
25 Fairfax Schools
26 The Learning Channel
27 Fairfax Access Network
28 Pay-Per-View Schedule
29 Pay-Per-View Previews
30 Request Pay-Per-View
31 Viewers Choice Pay-Per-View
32 Action Pay-Per-View
33 Spice Pay-Per-View
34 Home Team Sports
35 Showtime
36 Bravo
37 TBS-Atlanta
38 Home Box Office
39 The Disney Channel
40 The Movie Channel
41 Cinemax
44 Fairfax Library
48 George Mason University
49 Northern Virginia Community College
52 ESPN
53 Music Television
54 American Movie Classics
55 Univision
56 USA Network
57 QVC
58 NewsChannel 8
59 The Discovery Channel
60 Arts & Entertainment Network
61 Cable News Network
62 Home Shopping Network
63 The Weather Channel
64 The Nashville Network
65 Black Entertainment Television
66 Country Music Television
67 CNBC
68 Video Hits One
69 The Family Channel
70 Nickelodeon/Nick At Nite
71 Entertainment Television
72 Comedy Central
74 Turner Network Television
75 Lifetime
79 AP News, NOAA Weather Radio
80 Leased Access
81 CNN Headline News
83 Vision Interfaith Satellite Network
1995 - Warner Cable
2 WHMM-32-PBS-Washington DC3 WBAL-11-CBS-Baltimore MD
4 WRC-4-NBC-Washington DC
5 WTTG-5-FOX-Washington DC
6 WETA-26-PBS-Washington DC
7 WJLA-7-ABC-Washington DC
8 Reston Community Television
9 WUSA-9-CBS-Washington DC
10 Fairfax Cable Access
11 WFTY-50-WB-Washington DC
12 Prevue Guide
13 WNVT-53-PBS-Goldvein VA
15 WNVC-56-PTV-Fairfax VA
16 Fairfax County Government
17 WVVI-66-ValueVision-Manassas VA
20 WDCA-20-UPN-Washington DC
21 Fairfax Schools
22 WMPT-22-PBS-Annapolis MD
23 C-SPAN
24 C-SPAN 2
25 Fairfax Schools
26 The Learning Channel
27 Fairfax Access Network
28 Pay-Per-View Schedule
29 Pay-Per-View Previews
30 Request Pay-Per-View
31 Viewers Choice Pay-Per-View
32 Action Pay-Per-View
33 Spice Pay-Per-View
34 Request Pay-Per-View
35 Showtime
36 Home Box Office 2
37 TBS-Atlanta
38 Home Box Office
39 The Disney Channel
40 The Movie Channel
41 Cinemax
44 Fairfax Library
48 George Mason University
49 Northern Virginia Community College
52 ESPN
53 Music Television
54 American Movie Classics
55 Univision
56 USA Network
57 QVC
58 NewsChannel 8
59 The Discovery Channel
60 Arts & Entertainment Network
61 Cable News Network
62 Home Shopping Network
63 The Weather Channel
64 The Nashville Network
65 Black Entertainment Television
66 Country Music Television
67 CNBC
68 Video Hits One
69 The Family Channel
70 Nickelodeon/Nick At Nite
71 Entertainment Television
72 Comedy Central
74 Turner Network Television
75 Lifetime
76 Home And Garden TV
77 International Channel
78 Cartoon Network
79 AP News, NOAA Weather Radio
80 Leased Access
81 CNN Headline News
82 America's Talking
83 Vision Interfaith Satellite Network
84 The History Channel
85 Home Team Sports
86 Bravo
88 The Travel Channel
89 Encore
90 ESPN 2
91 Court TV
1997 - Jones Communications
1 Prevue Guide2 WHMM-32-PBS-Washington DC
3 WBAL-11-NBC-Baltimore MD
4 WRC-4-NBC-Washington DC
5 WTTG-5-FOX-Washington DC
6 WETA-26-PBS-Washington DC
7 WJLA-7-ABC-Washington DC
8 Reston Community Television
9 WUSA-9-CBS-Washington DC
10 Fairfax Cable Access
11 WFTY-50-WB-Washington DC
12 Knowledge TV
13 WNVT-53-PBS-Goldvein VA
15 WNVC-56-PTV-Fairfax VA
16 Fairfax County Government
17 WVVI-66-ValueVision-Manassas VA
20 WDCA-20-UPN-Washington DC
21 Fairfax Schools
22 WMPT-22-PBS-Annapolis MD
23 C-SPAN
24 C-SPAN 2
25 Fairfax Schools
26 The Learning Channel
27 Fairfax Access Network
28 Sneak Prevue Pay-Per-View Schedule
29 Product Information Network
30 TBS-Atlanta
31 Request Pay-Per-View
32 Request Pay-Per-View
33 Request Pay-Per-View
34 Request Pay-Per-View
35 Request Pay-Per-View
36 Home Box Office 2
37 Showtime
38 Home Box Office
39 The Disney Channel
40 The Movie Channel
41 Cinemax
44 Fairfax Library
48 George Mason University
49 Northern Virginia Community College
52 ESPN
53 Music Television
54 American Movie Classics
55 Univision
56 USA Network
57 QVC
58 NewsChannel 8
59 The Discovery Channel
60 Arts & Entertainment Network
61 Cable News Network
62 Home Shopping Network
63 The Weather Channel
64 The Nashville Network
65 Black Entertainment Television
66 Great American Country
67 CNBC
68 Video Hits One
69 The Family Channel
70 Nickelodeon/Nick At Nite
71 Entertainment Television
72 Comedy Central
74 Turner Network Television
75 Lifetime
76 Home And Garden TV
77 International Channel
78 Cartoon Network
79 Jones Computer Network
80 Leased Access
81 CNN Headline News
82 MSNBC
83 Faith And Values Network
84 The History Channel
85 Home Team Sports
86 Bravo
88 The Travel Channel
89 Encore
90 ESPN 2
91 Sci-Fi Channel
