re: #90 Dark_Falcon

But the Wiki page you link to contains no information about why the decision was taken by a Democratic administration to privatize the channel. Thus to associate the decision with Reagan is not appropriate. Reserve your anger for Jimmy Carter.

I think the Wiki history of TLC is actually weak in general.

I found this:

eric.ed.gov

Intended to provide a comprehensive picture of the Appalachian Community Service Network (ACSN), this report documents its evolution from a federally funded regional educational experiment to a nonprofit corporation delivering educational and informational programming via commercial satellite to cable subscribers across the nation; ACSN’s changing objectives, organizational structure and programming emphasis in response to the commercial marketplace; and the corporation’s plans to capitalize on foreseeable opportunities. A general, interpretative account is given of the background history of the Appalachian Educational Satellite Project (AESP) experiment, which supplied graduate credit courses to teachers located in remote areas of the Appalachian region using an experimental NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) satellite from 1972 to 1975. The maintenance, refinement, and expansion of the original mission of AESP from 1976 to 1978 are described, including the development of a strong research and evaluation program to guide network operations. The incorporation of ACSN in 1979 as an independent agency is documented, and it is noted that the network provided 64 hours per week of programming to more than 1.5 million homes in 42 states in 1982. A look at current needs and problems and speculations on the future of the network conclude the report. A number of exhibits and appendices are included. (LMM)

That indicates that it was a non-profit network through 1982. I’m not sure where the privatized in 1980 thing comes from— it seems like if incorporation as a separate non-profit is ‘privatization’ then it should be in 1979, but the important transition is from non-profit to for-profit.