Showbiz Pay TV via Antenna, around 1979-1983 (San Antonio, Anton: house, neighborhood)

[SamAntonio]

Does anyone remember or have more information about the pay TV channel called Showbiz that operated in San Antonio sometime around 1979-1983? As I recall, it was broadcast via microwave in the days before cable TV had reached all areas of San Antonio. When you subscribed, the company put a microwave antenna on your house and ran a cable from it to your TV. They also published a magazine that was sort of a TV guide to the channel. Showbiz was similar to HBO or Showtime, running mostly movies around the clock.

There was also a store called Pirate Antennas, I believe, that sold microwave antennas with the necessary equipment to allow homeowners to receive the channel without paying for the subscription.

I found federal trademark data that suggests this was a San Antonio-specific company and channel. The company is listed as SHOWBIZ PUBLICATIONS, 11831 RADIUM, SAN ANTONIO TEXAS 78216. I had always assumed it was a national channel but this makes me think otherwise.

I did find this, but I’m not sure if this is the same “Showbiz.”


[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mIHYyzpMb8[/url]

Anyway, since I see so little about it online, I thought I’d see if anyone else here had the channel or has any more information on it.

Thanks!

[ged_782]

I never personally had Showbiz, but I do recall that service being offered here during the period you mentioned. Needed a microwave dish on your house, and I believe an encoded receiver.

And yes, UA Columbia (which has since morphed into Spectrum), had not yet completed their CATV build-out in San Antonio, so those who were still waiting for CATV service to become available I think only had four English-language OTA TV stations and maybe two Spanish-language stations available at that time. I suppose the completion of the CATV build-out in the city probably drove the final nail in the coffin for Showbiz.

[SamAntonio]

Thanks for the reply and confirming my memories. I remember the signal seemed to get weaker near the end of the channel’s life, and as you suggest, it disappeared right around the time cable made it to our neighborhood.

Thanks again.