While many people still tune in to the broadcast networks to watch their favorite weekly programs, there is a definite shift happening where cable and satellite television are becoming the front runners in entertainment. It may be due to the fact that cable subscriptions offer hundreds of channels with a wide variety of programming, as well as the fact that the programs on cable are a lot less restricted than the networks.

Movies are accessible twenty four hours a day, and the implementation of the DVR and companies like Direct2TV allows for even more convenience and choice in programming. Here are some examples of how paid television has truly changed what we watch.

Educational Programming

Channels like TLC and the History Channel are true gems in the cable television channel lineup. They provide viewers with entertaining yet educational programming that was simply not a possibility just a few decades ago. TLC has introduced the world to interesting people like the Rolloff family, a family where three of the members have dwarfism. This show is called Little People, Big World, and the viewer is given an up close and personal look of what life is like for this particular family, which surprisingly, is not much different than the lives of a "traditional" American family.

The History Channel is another channel that offers a variety of programs where viewers learn the history of our world in an entertaining way. One of their most recent successes was the television movie Hatfields and McCoys, which tells the true story of how this famous feud came to be. This is a great example about how cable television provides not only entertainment, but teaches today's generation about important dates in history by presenting the stories in a unique and interesting fashion.

Dramatic and Comedy Series

HBO, Showtime, and AMC are the front runners as far as amazing television series go. HBO offers everything from comedy programs like Curb Your Enthusiasm to dramatic mini-series like Mildred Pierce, providing the viewer with a variety of options that are just not available on broadcast television networks.

Showtime is moving up in the ranks as well, with educational and suspenseful dramas like Homeland, and comedy series like Shameless. AMC is in a league of its own for original programming, which includes Breaking Bad, The Killing, and Mad Men, and many cable subscribers consider AMC their favorite channel of all. It is programs like these that keep the viewer tuning in for more, slowly but surely moving themselves away from the broadcast network programming.

Paid Television is Here to Stay

While the networks still offer viewers a variety of interesting programs, the truth is that cable television series and specials have been moving up the ladder at a slow and steady pace, and are definitely here to stay. Cable television definitely has a huge impact on what viewers choose to watch, as well as what to record on their DVRs. Cable television isn't just about movies anymore, which is why it has truly changed the way that people watch television.

Mackenzie Bramall is a recent college grad who blogs regularly on a variety of popular topics. She's also an avid fan of television.