Otis Singleton
Service Electric is a third-generation cable television and communications company that was founded in 1948 by John Walson. The company was originally established as a modest appliance store in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, and began selling television sets in 1947. Over the years, Service Electric has expanded its services to include broadband Internet and telephone services through partner companies such as PenTeleData and Alianza. The company is now owned by the Walson family, with John M. Walson serving as the current president.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1948 |
| Founder | John Walson |
| Original name | Service Electric Company |
| Original business | Sell, install, and repair General Electric appliances |
| Location | Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania |
| Current business | Cable TV, broadband Internet, telephone services, basketball team |
| Ownership of basketball team | 93% |
| Acquisition | Sussex County, New Jersey (acquired by Altice USA in 2020) |
What You'll Learn
John Walson founded Service Electric
Service Electric is a third-generation company that was founded by John Walson in 1948. The company was originally established as a modest appliance store in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Walson began selling television sets in 1947, but over-the-air signals were inaccessible due to the town's geographical location. Mr. Walson erected an antenna on New Boston Mountain to demonstrate television and increase sales. He connected the tower site to their appliance store using wire/cable and modified signal boosters.
In 1993, John E. Walson, John Walson's son, took over the company until his untimely passing in 2012. John M. Walson, John E. Walson's son, became president at that time. Each generation of the Walson family has carried on the tradition of quality service and community involvement that is synonymous with Service Electric.
Service Electric offers broadband Internet and telephone services through PenTeleData and Alianza, both of which are partner companies. The company has locations in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and Hunterdon and Warren counties in New Jersey.
Service Electric celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023. The company has revolutionized the world of communications and brought television to the residents of Mahanoy City.
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Service Electric started in 1948
Service Electric was founded in 1948 by John Walson in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. The company was originally an appliance store that sold, installed, and repaired General Electric appliances. In 1947, the company began selling television sets, and in 1948, John Walson erected an antenna on New Boston Mountain in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. This antenna marked the dawning of a new television era and revolutionized the world of communications.
The company has since grown to offer broadband Internet and telephone services through PenTeleData and Alianza, both of which are partner companies. Service Electric also owns 93% of the Valley Dawgs basketball team.
The company is a third-generation business, with John Walson's son, John E. Walson, taking over in 1993 until his untimely passing in 2012. John E. Walson's son, John M. Walson, became president of the company. Each generation of the Walson family has carried on the tradition of quality service and community involvement that is synonymous with Service Electric.
Today, Service Electric is a leading cable television and communications company that serves Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, as well as Hunterdon and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. The company has a long history of innovation, having introduced the first two-way cable modems in the Lehigh Valley and created the Valley Dawgs basketball team.
Service Electric's 75th anniversary was celebrated in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the company's history. The company has come a long way since its humble beginnings as an appliance store in 1948, and continues to innovate and grow in the ever-changing world of communications.
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Service Electric revolutionized cable TV
Service Electric is a third-generation company that was founded by John Walson in 1948. The company began as a modest appliance store in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Walson's vision was to bring television to the residents of Mahanoy City, a town nestled in a valley that rendered over-the-air signals inaccessible. In 1947, Walson and his wife began selling television sets, but it was nearly impossible to receive the three Philadelphia network stations in Mahanoy City because the town is surrounded by mountains.
To overcome this challenge, Walson decided to erect a utility pole on top of a nearby mountain, placed an antenna on top of the pole, and demonstrated television. In an attempt to increase sales, he connected the tower site to their appliance store by using wire/cable and modified signal boosters. This visionary quest by Walson marked the dawn of a new television era, reshaping the world as we know it and giving birth to cable TV.
Service Electric experienced a transformative journey under the leadership of its founder, John Walson. In 1993, John E. Walson took over the company from his father, John Walson Sr. John E. Walson’s son, John M. Walson, became president after John E. Walson’s untimely passing in 2012. Each generation of the Walson family has carried on the tradition of quality service and community involvement that is synonymous with Service Electric.
Today, Service Electric is a trailblazing cable television and communications company that celebrates its 75th anniversary. The company offers broadband Internet and telephone services through PenTeleData and Alianza, both of which are partner companies. Service Electric has purchased interests in Emmaus, Easton, and western New Jersey from Sammons Communications. The company also provides exclusive coverage of the Allentown Ambassadors home baseball games. Service Electric owns 93% of the Valley Dawgs basketball team and introduces bundles of cable, phone, and internet at a discount as internet becomes more popular.
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Service Electric offers broadband internet
Service Electric is a third-generation cable television and communications company that offers broadband internet and telephone services. It was founded in 1948 by John Walson in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The company began as a modest appliance store and sold, installed, and repaired General Electric appliances. In 1947, they began selling television sets and revolutionized the world of communications.
In 1993, John E. Walson, John Walson's son, took over the company until his untimely passing in 2012. At that time, John M. Walson, John E. Walson's son, became president. Each generation of the Walson family has carried on the tradition of quality service and community involvement that is synonymous with Service Electric.
- Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
- Hunterdon and Warren counties in New Jersey
- Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Birdsboro, Pennsylvania
- Sunbury, Pennsylvania
- Hazleton, Pennsylvania
- Sussex County, New Jersey
Service Electric has a long history of innovation and has been at the forefront of introducing new technologies to the areas it serves. The company has also been involved in various community initiatives and has owned a significant portion of the Valley Dawgs basketball team.
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Service Electric owns a basketball team
Service Electric is a 3rd generation company that was founded by John Walson in 1948. The company began as a modest appliance store in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, and revolutionized the world of communications by inventing cable television.
In 1947, the company began selling television sets and erected an antenna on top of New Boston Mountain in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. This antenna marked the dawning of a new television era and brought television to the residents of Mahanoy City.
Service Electric Cable TV Inc. purchases interests in Emmaus, Easton and western New Jersey from Sammons Communications. The company also owns 93% of the Valley Dawgs basketball team.
Service Electric celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and continues to offer broadband Internet and telephone services through PenTeleData and Alianza, both of which are partner companies.
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Frequently asked questions
Service Electric is a third-generation company that was founded by Mr. and Mrs. Walson in 1948. The company was originally named Service Electric Company and was formed to sell, install, and repair General Electric appliances in the Mahanoy City area of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. John Walson is credited with inventing cable television. John Walson's son, John E. Walson took over in 1993 until his untimely passing in 2012, at which time John E. Walson’s son, John M. Walson became president.
