Where does this myth come from? Cable was first used to bring network broadcast TV with ads to places with no reception. Then came the “Superstations” like TBS

Where does this myth come from? Cable was first used to bring network broadcast TV with ads to places with no reception. Then came the “Superstations” like TBS and WGN. That were rebroadcast of local stations over satellite. Then came ESPN, CNN etc. cable TV always had ads except for the premium channels.