COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 51321

Cable Networks

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

16companies1853–1991founding years14still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedVivendi Universal S.A.FoundedVivendi Universal S.A.
1853
FoundedManchester United Football Club plcFoundedManchester United Football Club plc
1878
FoundedPathé SAFoundedPathé SA
1896
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedTelefónica S.A.FoundedTelefónica S.A.
1924
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedNews Corporation LimitedFoundedNews Corporation Limited
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedCanal PlusFoundedCanal Plus
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedCablevision Systems CorporationFoundedCablevision Systems Corporation
1985
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedMIH LimitedFoundedMIH Limited
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Vivendi Universal S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1853 · France
Formerly known as the Générale des Eaux Group, Vivendi Universal S.A.
Vivendi Universal S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1853 · France
Formerly known as the Générale des Eaux Group, Vivendi Universal S.A.
Manchester United Football Club plc →
Active · founded 1878 · United Kingdom
Manchester United Football Club plc has earned a reputation as England's most financially successful football team.
Manchester United Football Club plc →
Active · founded 1878 · United Kingdom
Manchester United Football Club plc has earned a reputation as England's most financially successful football team.
Pathé SA →
Active · founded 1896 · France
One of the most illustrious names in motion picture history, Pathé remains one of France's leading forces in film…
Pathé SA →
Active · founded 1896 · France
One of the most illustrious names in motion picture history, Pathé remains one of France's leading forces in film…
Telefónica S.A. →
Active · founded 1924 · Spain
Until the 1990s the government-controlled public company known since May 1988 as Telefónica de España, S.A.
Telefónica S.A. →
Active · founded 1924 · Spain
Until the 1990s the government-controlled public company known since May 1988 as Telefónica de España, S.A.
News Corporation Limited →
Active · founded 1979 · Australia
News Corporation Limited is the holding company for the large range of enterprises created or acquired since the 1950s…
News Corporation Limited →
Active · founded 1979 · Australia
News Corporation Limited is the holding company for the large range of enterprises created or acquired since the 1950s…
Canal Plus →
Active · founded 1984 · France
With nearly 14 million subscribers across Europe and Africa, Canal Plus ranks as one of the world's premiere…
Canal Plus →
Active · founded 1984 · France
With nearly 14 million subscribers across Europe and Africa, Canal Plus ranks as one of the world's premiere…
Cablevision Systems Corporation →
Active · founded 1985
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the largest cable systems operators in the United States, providing service…
Cablevision Systems Corporation →
Active · founded 1985
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the largest cable systems operators in the United States, providing service…
MIH Limited →
Active · founded 1991 · The Netherlands
MIH Limited (MIHL) operates pay-television services internationally in three regions: Africa, the Mediterranean, and…
MIH Limited →
Active · founded 1991 · The Netherlands
MIH Limited (MIHL) operates pay-television services internationally in three regions: Africa, the Mediterranean, and…
Build It Today

Starting a cable networks company now

Each week we rebuild one of these stories for today's tools and capital.