Israel, for better or worse, got wired for cable television this week.
Subscribers will now be able to select from 24 channels, some operating around the clock, for a fee of about $50 a month.
In addition to Israeli television, they will have a choice of programming from Jordan — officially an “enemy” state; Christian missionary broadcasts in English from Lebanon; and a dozen or more news and entertainment shows via satellite from the United States and Europe.
All of this will start on Jan. 1.
In the meantime, the first cable television franchise began operations on an experimental basis in Bat Yam, a suburb of Tel Aviv.
The $20 million investment started with 120 clients, who were offered a two-month trial limited to several hours a day of programming.
In return, they have to report to the franchiser what programs they like and the quality of reception.
Cable facilities, expected to be countrywide in 18 months, are provided by Bezek Telecommunications, the government-owned phone company.
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