If you grew up watching TV in the 80s, you only knew the 'Big Three' networks: ABC, NBC, and CBS. But in 1986 came something we hadn't seen in thirty years: a legitimate fourth network. Welcome to the final episode of a three-part mini-series that looks back on the rapidly changing world of television in the 1980s. In part three, we look at the creation and launch of Fox, a network that started from scratch, but, in just a few short years, gave the big networks a run for their money. We'll look back at Fox's similarities with another fourth network from the 1950s -- The Dumont -- and how, thanks to shows like Married...With Children and The Simpsons, Fox managed to break through in a big way.

If you grew up watching TV in the 80s, you only knew the 'Big Three' networks: ABC, NBC, and CBS. But in 1986 came something we hadn't seen in thirty years: a legitimate fourth network. Welcome to the final episode of a three-part mini-series that looks back on the rapidly changing world of television in the 1980s. In part three, we look at the creation and launch of Fox, a network that started from scratch, but, in just a few short years, gave the big networks a run for their money. We'll look back at Fox's similarities with another fourth network from the 1950s -- The Dumont -- and how, thanks to shows like Married...With Children and The Simpsons, Fox managed to break through in a big way.

Fox: The Launch of the Fourth Network

They were two legendary toy car companies that were a part of growing up for millions of kids. But behind the scenes, it was a cutthroat battle for our brand allegiance. Matchbox and Hot Wheels had been fighting it out since the late 1960s, and even though both brands went through tumultuous times in the 70s and into the 80s, the toys stayed strong and even grew in popularity. The die-cast toy car industry of the 1980s was so big that several other companies entered the picture. From Sears to generic knock-offs, everyone wanted a piece of the action. Including one company that decided they were going to make things much smaller... <ul> <li>The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/80s">Patreon.com/80s</a></li> </ul>

They were two legendary toy car companies that were a part of growing up for millions of kids. But behind the scenes, it was a cutthroat battle for our brand allegiance. Matchbox and Hot Wheels had been fighting it out since the late 1960s, and even though both brands went through tumultuous times in the 70s and into the 80s, the toys stayed strong and even grew in popularity. The die-cast toy car industry of the 1980s was so big that several other companies entered the picture. From Sears to generic knock-offs, everyone wanted a piece of the action. Including one company that decided they were going to make things much smaller... The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s

They were two legendary toy car companies that were a part of growing up for millions of kids. But behind the scenes, it was a cutthroat battle for our brand allegiance. Matchbox and Hot Wheels had been fighting it out since the late 1960s, and even though both brands went through tumultuous times in the 70s and into the 80s, the toys stayed strong and even grew in popularity. The die-cast toy car industry of the 1980s was so big that several other companies entered the picture. From Sears to generic knock-offs, everyone wanted a piece of the action. Including one company that decided they were going to make things much smaller... <ul> <li>The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/80s" rel="noopener noreferrer">Patreon.com/80s</a></li> </ul>

Hot Wheels vs Matchbox: The Billion-Dollar Battle For the Toy Car Industry

The early 1980s were a golden age for video games. From iconic arcade games like Space Invaders and Pac-Man to the growth of home consoles like the Atari 2600, it felt like a magical time for kids and video game lovers. But all of that almost came to an abrupt end... In the early 80s, video games — specifically arcade games—had caught on so quickly and spread so far that many wondered whether it was healthy for kids to play them for hours on end. It wasn't just physical concerns, but psychological ones, too. From the UK to North America, arcade games were soon under attack, and many cities were taking measures to restrict kids from playing them. It was an issue that went all the way to the Supreme Court, and a generation had no idea how close we came to losing them... <ul> <li>Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade movie review: <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/80s">Patreon.com</a></li> </ul>

The early 1980s were a golden age for video games. From iconic arcade games like Space Invaders and Pac-Man to the growth of home consoles like the Atari 2600, it felt like a magical time for kids and video game lovers. But all of that almost came to an abrupt end... In the early 80s, video games — specifically arcade games—had caught on so quickly and spread so far that many wondered whether it was healthy for kids to play them for hours on end. It wasn't just physical concerns, but psychological ones, too. From the UK to North America, arcade games were soon under attack, and many cities were taking measures to restrict kids from playing them. It was an issue that went all the way to the Supreme Court, and a generation had no idea how close we came to losing them... Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade movie review: Patreon.com

The early 1980s were a golden age for video games. From iconic arcade games like Space Invaders and Pac-Man to the growth of home consoles like the Atari 2600, it felt like a magical time for kids and video game lovers. But all of that almost came to an abrupt end... In the early 80s, video games — specifically arcade games—had caught on so quickly and spread so far that many wondered whether it was healthy for kids to play them for hours on end. It wasn't just physical concerns, but psychological ones, too. From the UK to North America, arcade games were soon under attack, and many cities were taking measures to restrict kids from playing them. It was an issue that went all the way to the Supreme Court, and a generation had no idea how close we came to losing them... <ul> <li>Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade movie review: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/80s" rel="noopener noreferrer">Patreon.com</a></li> </ul>

Rewind: When Video Games Were Almost Banned

Unsolved Mysteries was one of the scariest TV shows in the 80s, especially if you were a younger viewer... But it was also one of the most-watched shows of the decade. Its roots go back to the early 80s, and the show went through several iterations and hosts, including Perry Mason himself. But eventually came the host with one of the most distinctive voices in television history: Robert Stack. You'll hear why its intense theme music was deliberately created to scare you, how viewers became part of the story, and how it helped launch the true crime boom from America's Most Wanted to today's podcasts. And despite debuting nearly 40 years ago, Unsolved Mysteries is still with us to this day... <ul> <li>Support the show and get bonus 1980s content: <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/80s">Patreon.com/80s</a></li> </ul>

Unsolved Mysteries was one of the scariest TV shows in the 80s, especially if you were a younger viewer... But it was also one of the most-watched shows of the decade. Its roots go back to the early 80s, and the show went through several iterations and hosts, including Perry Mason himself. But eventually came the host with one of the most distinctive voices in television history: Robert Stack. You'll hear why its intense theme music was deliberately created to scare you, how viewers became part of the story, and how it helped launch the true crime boom from America's Most Wanted to today's podcasts. And despite debuting nearly 40 years ago, Unsolved Mysteries is still with us to this day... Support the show and get bonus 1980s content: Patreon.com/80s

Unsolved Mysteries was one of the scariest TV shows in the 80s, especially if you were a younger viewer... But it was also one of the most-watched shows of the decade. Its roots go back to the early 80s, and the show went through several iterations and hosts, including Perry Mason himself. But eventually came the host with one of the most distinctive voices in television history: Robert Stack. You'll hear why its intense theme music was deliberately created to scare you, how viewers became part of the story, and how it helped launch the true crime boom from America's Most Wanted to today's podcasts. And despite debuting nearly 40 years ago, Unsolved Mysteries is still with us to this day... <ul> <li>Support the show and get bonus 1980s content: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/80s" rel="noopener noreferrer">Patreon.com/80s</a></li> </ul>

Unsolved Mysteries: The 1980s TV Show That Terrified Us

It felt like a true golden age. An era that gave us multiple sports dynasties and individual athletes that seemed larger than life. The 1980s weren't just a historic era for the Big Four North American sports, but it led to some generational rivalries. Rivalries that included a changing of the guard in the NHL and NFL, and an on-court rivalry between the bad boys of the NBA and the future of the league. In the 1980s, we also saw two women battle it out for tennis supremacy, one of the greatest boxing matches of all time, and an original 6 battle from the 1940s, still going on in the 80s. And then, there was what may be the true defining rivalry of the 1980s: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and a decade-long battle between the Lakers and the Celtics. <ul> <li>Get early and ad-free access to new episodes: <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/80s">Patreon.com/80s</a></li> </ul>

It felt like a true golden age. An era that gave us multiple sports dynasties and individual athletes that seemed larger than life. The 1980s weren't just a historic era for the Big Four North American sports, but it led to some generational rivalries. Rivalries that included a changing of the guard in the NHL and NFL, and an on-court rivalry between the bad boys of the NBA and the future of the league. In the 1980s, we also saw two women battle it out for tennis supremacy, one of the greatest boxing matches of all time, and an original 6 battle from the 1940s, still going on in the 80s. And then, there was what may be the true defining rivalry of the 1980s: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and a decade-long battle between the Lakers and the Celtics. Get early and ad-free access to new episodes: Patreon.com/80s

It felt like a true golden age. An era that gave us multiple sports dynasties and individual athletes that seemed larger than life. The 1980s weren't just a historic era for the Big Four North American sports, but it led to some generational rivalries. Rivalries that included a changing of the guard in the NHL and NFL, and an on-court rivalry between the bad boys of the NBA and the future of the league. In the 1980s, we also saw two women battle it out for tennis supremacy, one of the greatest boxing matches of all time, and an original 6 battle from the 1940s, still going on in the 80s. And then, there was what may be the true defining rivalry of the 1980s: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and a decade-long battle between the Lakers and the Celtics. <ul> <li>Get early and ad-free access to new episodes: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/80s" rel="noopener noreferrer">Patreon.com/80s</a></li> </ul>

10 Sports Rivalries That Defined the 1980s

This is the podcast trailer for the Everything 80s Podcast. This will give you a sneak peek into what this show is all about and all the topics we'll cover on it. We're looking back at the 80s, the greatest decade known to mankind and all the pop culture and nostalgia that makes it so great. 
 https://www.everything80spodcast.com

This is the podcast trailer for the Everything 80s Podcast. This will give you a sneak peek into what this show is all about and all the topics we'll cover on it. We're looking back at the 80s, the greatest decade known to mankind and all the pop culture and nostalgia that makes it so great. https://www.everything80spodcast.com

This is the podcast trailer for the Everything 80s Podcast. This will give you a sneak&nbsp;peek into what this show is all about and all the topics we'll cover on it. We're looking back at the 80s, the greatest decade known to mankind and all the pop culture and nostalgia that makes it so great.&nbsp;
 https://www.everything80spodcast.com

The Everything '80s Podcast Trailer

Welcome to Everything 80s — the ultimate podcast for fans of 1980s pop culture and retro nostalgia. 

Each week, we'll dive deep into the most iconic parts of the 1980s: unforgettable movies, legendary TV shows, classic toys, groundbreaking music, and the cultural moments that defined a generation.

From Back to the Future to The Breakfast Club, from Transformers and He-Man to MTV, Nintendo, and Michael Jackson — if it happened in the 80s, we're talking about it.

Whether you grew up in the 1980s or just love the retro vibe, Everything 80s is your time machine to a decade of innovation, color, and unforgettable fun. Perfect for fans of nostalgia, Gen X, and anyone who loves some good 'ol time travel...

Kids, you might not be ready for this yet--but your parents are gonna love it...

🎧 New episodes every Wednesday — hit follow and join the 1980s rewind.

TV & Film

History

Welcome to Everything 80s — the ultimate podcast for fans of 1980s pop culture and retro nostalgia. Each week, we'll dive deep into the most iconic parts of the 1980s: unforgettable movies, legendary TV shows, classic toys, groundbreaking music, and the cultural moments that defined a generation. From Back to the Future to The Breakfast Club, from Transformers and He-Man to MTV, Nintendo, and Michael Jackson — if it happened in the 80s, we're talking about it. Whether you grew up in the 1980s or just love the retro vibe, Everything 80s is your time machine to a decade of innovation, color, and unforgettable fun. Perfect for fans of nostalgia, Gen X, and anyone who loves some good 'ol time travel... Kids, you might not be ready for this yet--but your parents are gonna love it... 🎧 New episodes every Wednesday — hit follow and join the 1980s rewind.

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