cable television

Meaning

A system of delivering television programming to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted through coaxial cables or light pulses through fiber-optic cables. It is often referred to simply as 'cable' and requires a subscription.

Examples

• We decided to cancel our cable television subscription because we only watch streaming services now.

  We decided to cancel our cable television subscription because we only watch streaming services now.

• Growing up in the nineties, having cable television was a big deal because of all the cartoon channels.

  Growing up in the nineties, having cable television was a big deal because of all the cartoon channels.

• The hotel room includes free cable television, so you can watch the game tonight.

  The hotel room includes free cable television, so you can watch the game tonight.

• Local news is still available on cable television even if you don't have internet.

  Local news is still available on cable television even if you don't have internet.

• Our cable television provider is raising their prices again next month.

  Our cable television provider is raising their prices again next month.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I watched an interesting documentary on the cable television.

  ✓ I watched an interesting documentary on cable television.

  We do not use the definite article 'the' before 'cable television' when referring to the medium or service in general.

• ✗ We connected the cable television to the back of the TV screen.

  ✓ We connected the cable TV box to the back of the TV screen.

  'Cable television' refers to the service or system, not the physical wire or the receiver box itself.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Many households are cutting the cord and replacing ___ with digital streaming apps.

  💡 The traditional subscription-based TV service delivered via physical wires.

  Show answer

  cable television

• Does the rental apartment come with ___ or do we need to set up our own media accounts?

  💡 A system that provides channels to your TV set without using the internet.

  Show answer

  cable television