In the late 20th century, a number of American cable networks were developed that specialized in television programming and content aimed specifically at upscale female audiences. These target audiences are based on a narrowly defined conception of the tastes, lifestyles, and consumption practices of contemporary woman. The evolution of women's cable networks took place within a particular historical, socio-cultural, and economic moment, facilitated by the second-wave feminist movement and the expansion of cable television during the 1980s.

Television's Response to Second Wave Feminism

Second wave feminists helped reshape media images of women in popular culture, especially television, through their demands for greater gender equality in all spheres of life (e.g., education, work, family). Feminists achieved success not only in these areas but also within the realm of ...

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