TLC stands for “The learning channel” previously, but recently the channel has adopted the new Name-Tender loving care. As far as the question is concerned what is TLC, as the older name shows, TLC is an American TV channel. The basic purpose behind making TLC online channel was to use it for learning and educational purposes.
If we talk about the performance of this TV channel, it was successful in the attainment of educational and learning goals it was supposed to achieve. As a result, it got much fame and appeared as a well-established and credible TV channel.
The Learning Channel shows the 1990s played a key role in familiarizing a large audience with this channel. The major thing that enabled this channel to get a large audience was the shifting of this channel’s activities or shows from educational and learning background towards reality TV shows encircling the lifestyle and similar other aspects.
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Historical Background And Working of the TLC Channel:
Initial Stages:
The origin of this TV channel links back to the nineteen seventies. And you will be surprised to know that initially, this channel was named Appalachian Educational Satellite Project (APEC). The primary purpose behind starting this channel was to provide educational information and knowledge through content aired on this channel.
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This content was aimed at providing knowledge to the students of schools, colleges, and universities located in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas. The following institutions and organizations took part in laying down the foundation of this educational and informative channel.
- Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
- Education Satellite Communication Demonstration (ECSD)
- NASA
- Department of health & education
- Department of Welfare
The collective efforts and collaboration of the above-given institutions made possible the formation of such a channel. The transmission circle was restricted in the very beginning, however, later on, it was expanded up to 45 different points across the USA. And all these events and circumstances took place in a decade between 1970 and 1980.
The Transition Towards “The Learning Channel”:
As the previous discussion tells the name of this channel was the Appalachian Educational Satellite Project (AESP). However, during the 1980s the name was changed from AESP to The learning channel (TLC). And this change of name resulted in a step-by-step manner as given below.
The major change that happened at this stage was the incorporation of the Appalachian Community Service Network (ACSN). This community service network played a key role in modifying the structure of the channel.
This network upon the direction of the Appalachian Regional Commission assisted the appointment of the board of directors. In this way, the functioning and control of this channel were carried out. It is noteworthy that the name of the channel was first changed to ACSN- The learning channel and it continued working under this make for a certain time period.
Later on, in 1984, the name length was reduced and the new name of this channel emerged as “ The learning channel”. The channel continued to enhance its services and broadened the areas of interest by giving a touch to science, technology, nature, history, medicine, and cooking in the programs and shows aired on this channel.
Despite it’s long-range of topics and fields of interest, the rating of this channel got affected by a tough competitor of that time which was the “Discovery Channel” and whose foundation was laid down in 1985. And the basic reason behind the reducing rating and popularity of “The learning channel” was its restricted or limited audience due to its specific educational or academic nature.
Discovery Channel Got Ownership of TLC:
As told earlier, TLC and the discovery channel were tough competitors of each other and the discovery channel got an upper hand over the former one. The factor that provided lead to the Discovery channel was the vast variety of content and its broad scope as compared to the TLC.
However, the Discovery channel incorporation took a major decision and got the ownership of “The Learning Channel” from ACSN and other associated corporations.
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“The learning channel”, under the discovery channel incorporation continued its working. The majority of the shows and programs aired on this channel were still similar to that it used to air before coming under the ownership of the Discovery channel.
But later on, the content aired on this channel was broadened to the less academic areas or fields including lifestyle and fashion. In 1992, the most frequently used name for this channel was “TLC”.
Changing Nature of the Content Being Displayed:
“The learning channel” brought about a considerable transition and changes in the nature of the content being displayed on this channel. It started displaying a variety of kids-related shows.
However, the kid’s shows didn’t run for too long and kids block was set to be reduced to a remarkable extent due to the airing of such content on Discovery kids. And eventually, this program was totally terminated.
After that, the channel started shifting all of its content towards reality shows. Honey Boo Boo is a worth considering example of family life shows aired on this channel.
Conclusion:
If you are unaware of what TLC stands for in the world of TV, then the information given in this article is going to be greatly helpful for you. If you are among those unaware of what TLC stands for on TV or What channel is TLC on TV, then stop worrying about it.
As told in the beginning, TLC is an acronym for “Tender loving care” currently. It was previously termed as an abbreviation for “The learning channel”. The complete details regarding TLC’s new shows as well as the historical background of this channel given in this article will provide you satisfactory answers to the questions like what is TLC on TV and what does it stand for.
