The first national television satellite broadcast occurred in which year?

The first national television satellite broadcast occurred in which year?

• A. 1985
• B. 1987
• C. 1989
• D. 1991

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how satellite technology transitioned from international experiments to delivering a single program across the entire country. Early satellites like Telstar opened transatlantic live links, but a true national telecast across the U.S. required more mature satellite networks and coordination to get the same program to all major markets at the same time. By 1987, networks had the capacity to feed a program simultaneously to affiliates nationwide, making that year the first nationwide television satellite broadcast. This milestone reflects the point at which nationwide satellite distribution became practical and reliable.

The main idea is how satellite technology transitioned from international experiments to delivering a single program across the entire country. Early satellites like Telstar opened transatlantic live links, but a true national telecast across the U.S. required more mature satellite networks and coordination to get the same program to all major markets at the same time. By 1987, networks had the capacity to feed a program simultaneously to affiliates nationwide, making that year the first nationwide television satellite broadcast. This milestone reflects the point at which nationwide satellite distribution became practical and reliable.