Cable television was first introduced in the United States in 1948 as a supplementation to the services provided by broadcast television. By the 1970s, major cities in the United States were beginning to accept bids from cable franchise companies to provide cable television to more of their populations. 

In July 1972, the City Manager of Dallas established a Policy Advisory Committee for Cable Television to consider the development of cable television services for Dallas. Seven department heads were tasked with determining the risks and benefits of cable television and what would be required to ensure the best experience for the subscribers when this new technology was eventually adopted. In November 1973, The Policy Advisory Committee recommended no immediate action, but that the city should be prepared for when cable television arrives in Dallas. 

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, cable television was pervasive across the entire United States with cable franchises available in most major cities. Dallas was among those cities that began accepting proposals for the cable television franchise that would build, develop, and offer its services to the metroplex. Dallas accepted its first cable franchise in November 1980, when Warner Amex was awarded the contract.  

Collection includes report from the Policy Advisory Committee in 1973, a survey of applicants’ performance from one of the cable television franchises submitting a bid in 1980, a preliminary evaluation of the bids provided by the cable television franchises in 1980, and a proposal to construct and operate a cable television system in Dallas from Warner Amex.