TLC (TV network)

TLC (originally an abbreviation of its former name, The Learning Channel) is an American basic cable and satellite television network that is owned by Discovery Communications. Initially focused on educational and learning content, by 2001, the network began to primarily focus towards reality series involving lifestyles, family life, and personal stories.

As of February 2015, approximately 95 million American households (81.6% of households with cable television) receive TLC, although this does not indicate TLC's 15 February 2016 viewership.

History

Early history

The channel was founded in 1972 by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and NASA as the Appalachian Community Service Network, and was an informative and instructional network focused on providing real education through the medium of television; it was distributed at no cost by NASA satellite.

1980–98: The Learning Channel, "A place for learning minds"