WES-TEL, INC. CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE

by Donna Boyer

Entry T10 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Wes-Tel Satellite Dishes on the hill south of Mullen

The Mullen Community had been served
for Television reception since the early
1960's, by two TV `Boosters' located on the
hospital hill, in addition to an aerial attached
to the home. They were able to receive the
service of KNOP, North Platte, Nebraska;
KDUH, Hay Springs, Nebraska and the
Educational Channel #7 from Bassett, Neb-
raska. Because of severe wind storms, ice
storms and age of the towers, there was much
expensive upkeep and not always good
reception.

The community began discussions con-
cerning Cable Television, its advantages, and
subscription fees. The popular idea was to get
more channels and a variety of programming.
The result of these discussions in various
meetings, and visitations to other communi-
ties with cable television, Wes Tel, Inc. out
of Rapid City, South Dakota was contracted.

Wes Tell, Inc. Cable TV was installed in
1985. It offers 12 channels on the basic WGN,
CBN, ESPN, NASHVILLE, WTBS, CBS,
CNN, NBC, KDVR, USA, ABC AND EDU-
CATIONAL. It also offers two pay channels,
HBO and DISNEY.