Some Proposed Cable Services--A Cornucopia

Cable services that have been proposed in the past six months:

* In Court--A 12-hour daytime service to launch in September or October with live and tape-delayed trial coverage, news features, analysis, profiles of judges and trial attorneys, plus call-in shows for consumers seeking legal advice. Rainbow Programming, a division of Cablevision Systems Corp. (a multisystem cable operator), is reportedly prepared to back the channel with $80 million.

* American Trial Network--The service envisions 24-hour live and edited trial coverage, plus legal affairs programming, to start some time this fall or winter. It is a proposed venture of American Lawyer Magazine and Time Warner Enterprises (headed by MTV creator Bob Pittman).

* The Science Fiction Channel--Authors Isaac Asimov and Martin H. Greenberg, along with “Star Trek” creator Gene Rodenberry, are members of Sci-Fi’s advisory board. Set to launch in the first quarter of 1991, the Orlando, Fla.-based channel promises “a full-course meal” of science fiction and fantasy programming, ranging from “Dark Shadows” reruns to an anthology series created and hosted by Asimov. The ad-supported service claims to have already lined up systems serving 2 million homes, plus several overseas distributors.

* Cowboy Channel--Willie Nelson is chairman of the service and promises to appear daily as a “celebrity host” on the 24-hour service along with Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Roger Miller. Proposed programs include Nelson’s weekly “Songwriter” series and reruns of such classic TV westerns as “Gunsmoke,” “The Virginian” and “Wagon Train.” The Austin, Tex.-based channel will also offer “cowboy movies,” music videos, rodeos and specials.

* Senior American Network (also known as Golden American Network)--Set for a January start-up, the ad-supported network will target the 50-plus age group with an eight-hour schedule repeated three times a day. Programming will originate from Los Angeles and include interactive games (primarily bingo), sports tournaments and informational shows dealing with medical, financial and social issues.

* How-To Channel--The service will undergo a closed-circuit test later this year for a possible 1991 launch. Backing it is Tampa, Fla.-based Communications Equity Associates, an investment banking firm specializing in communications. Programs will deal with home and auto repair, beauty and health tips.

* Talk TV Network--An “all-day, all-live” ad-supported talk service planned to start some time in 1991. Ed Cooperstein, president and owner of the 18-hour-a-day channel, has described it to reporters as a “continuous kind of Town Hall of the air,” a sort of talk radio with pictures. The planned format consists of nine separate two-hour daily talk shows.

* Career Television Network--Backers of this advertiser-supported service say their programming will offer tips on finding jobs and developing careers, but details remain very sketchy.

* The Monitor Channel--An advertiser-supported service of the Christian Science Monitor is slated for launch in May, 1991. The effort would join existing TV, radio and print activities of the Church of Christian Scientists that emphasize international news coverage. The Monitor Channel would draw on daily programming now seen via The Discovery Channel and Monitor-owned WQTV-TV in Boston, where the church is based.

* Celtic Vision--An Ireland-based music publisher and record company executive proposes to launch a service next spring serving “the estimated 40 million Americans of Irish descent.” Much of the programming, consisting primarily of music and cultural shows, would be from Ireland.

* Two New Discoveries--The Discovery Channel, a successful mix of documentaries, nature programs and public affairs, is exploring the possibility of introducing a science channel and history channel within the next year.