# AFN Spectrum

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/AFN_Spectrum.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFN_Spectrum
> Source revision: 1345790432
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Infobox television channel
| name = AFN Spectrum
| logo_size = 
| logo = 
| logo_caption = 
| founder = 
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1997|03|27}}
| closed_date    = {{end date and age|2026|03|22}} (via satellite)
| picture_format = [1080i](/source/1080i) ([HDTV](/source/High-definition_television))
| country = United States
| owner = [American Forces Network](/source/American_Forces_Network)
| parent = 
| language = {{Plainlist|
* English
}}
| area = United States military bases and family homes via [IPTV](/source/IPTV) distribution
| headquarters = [Riverside, California](/source/Riverside%2C_California), U.S.
| key_people = 
| sister_channels = 
{{collapsible list|
* [AFN Prime](/source/AFN_Prime)
* [AFN News](/source/AFN_News)
* [AFN Sports](/source/AFN_Sports)
* [AFN Sports 2](/source/AFN_Sports_2)
* [AFN Movie](/source/AFN_Movie)
* [AFN Family](/source/AFN_Family)
}}
| website = {{URL|https://myafn.dodmedia.osd.mil/ | MyAFN}}
| availability_note = limited to U.S. military personnel in military bases
| online_serv_1 = AFN Now
| online_chan_1 = AFN Spectrum
| online_serv_2 = 
| online_chan_2 = 
}}

'''AFN Spectrum''' is an [American Forces Network](/source/American_Forces_Network), which was the service's third permanent [television channel](/source/television_channel), before becoming exclusive to AFN Now in 2026, an [IPTV](/source/IPTV) streaming service. It started in 1997 as more of a conservative culture-oriented channel with programming from cable networks and classic TV series. In a way, it mimicked the "superstation" concept from cablecasters [TBS](/source/TBS_(American_TV_channel)) and [WGN America](/source/WGN_America). However, the Spectrum lineup currently contains more conventional programming, like ''[American Idol](/source/American_Idol)'' and ''[Ugly Betty](/source/Ugly_Betty)'', as some of the public television and classic fare that made up Spectrum is being reduced but remain the primary constant on the channel.

==History==
AFN launched Spectrum on March 23, 1997. In its early years the channel ran on an eight-hour wheel with documentaries, cartoons, classic TV series and movies. The launch of the channel came after that of [NewSports](/source/AFN_News).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20000621210523/http://www.afrts.osd.mil/afn5.htm#top Spectrum]</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Brockman |first1=Kristina |title=New NMC channels will change television viewing |url=https://timarit.is/page/6098777#page/n0/mode/2up |work=The White Falcon |publisher=[Timarit.is](/source/Timarit.is) |date=March 28, 1997 }}</ref>

In 2003, with the announcement of the launch of [AFN Movie](/source/AFN_Movie) and [AFN Family](/source/AFN_Family) for 2004, AFN Spectrum would reduce its movie and family programming as consequence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Talk of the town answers questions and concerns |url=https://timarit.is/page/5835447?iabr=on#page/n10/mode/1up |work=The White Falcon |publisher=Timarit.is |date=October 22, 2003}}</ref> The move enabled Spectrum to increase its cultural output.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20241202121518/https://www.stripes.com/migration/pacific-to-see-new-tv-channels-this-year-1.1062 Pacific to see new TV channels this year]</ref> The channel had absorbed all of the shows that were deemed "objectionable" by [AFN Prime](/source/AFN_Prime).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20241202122021/https://www.stripes.com/migration/new-afn-tv-channel-targets-18-35-male-audience-1.44476 New AFN TV channel targets 18-35 male audience]</ref>

With AFN services moving from satellite distribution to [IPTV](/source/IPTV) streaming (including access to individual programs), the channel moved exclusively to that mode of distribution on March 22, 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFN to reduce satellite services in 2026; streaming option available now |url=https://www.army.mil/a/283541 |website=www.army.mil |access-date=23 August 2025 |language=en |date=6 March 2025}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}

Spectrum
Category:Television channels and stations established in 1997

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [AFN Spectrum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFN_Spectrum) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFN_Spectrum?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.