The evolution of health programming on cable television

Health-oriented television programming occurred only on a sporadic basis until 1982, when a health information project was embodied in the formation of the Cable Health Network (CHN), a 24-hour, advertiser-supported, satellite-delivered cable network. As the network began, however, it ran into difficulties. A series of events led to a metamorphosis, including a merger of CHN with ABC/Hearst's network Daytime into the Lifetime network. A gradual but substantial replacement of health programming with more general entertainment fare took place. The network has enjoyed greater financial success in recent times, but success has come considerably at the expense of the health component, even though health promotion remains an important part of the programming. The study supports the suggestion by some researchers that the impact of mass media health promotion should be studied in the context of lifestyle and audience usage, rather than strictly as a linear message-audience-effect model.