Designed to raise awareness of the implications of cable television and satellites for the Open University, this paper indicates why cable television developments will affect the university and the wide range of university people and departments who will be affected by such developments. Four main issues that the university will have to deal with are addressed: (1) general educational potential of cable and satellite technology; (2) Open University policy issues; (3) national policy and the Open University's possible involvement in influencing national policy; and (4) how the Open University might develop its policies. The issues are further developed by appendices covering the following topics: setting the scene; history of cable in the United Kingdom (UK); technical details of cable and satellite television in the UK; general educational potential of broadband cable technology; relative advantages/disadvantages of broadband cable over other video technologies; broadband cable and interactivity; possible Open University programming initiatives; an Open University educational channel; regional implications; and collaboration with other institutions. (LMM)