Cable tv service in the U.S. started originally without ads - if i recall correctly. In fact, the whole premis was: you pay for tv, wouldn't need to watch ads,

Cable tv service in the U.S. started originally without ads - if i recall correctly. In fact, the whole premis was: you pay for tv, wouldn't need to watch ads, and that's how tv programs would get funded...But, that changed severely along the way. </sigh>