 Originally scheduled to launch on May 1, Spotlight officially launched just over four weeks later on May 28, 1981.It was initially available primarily on cable systems operated by Times-Mirror's Dimension Cable Television unit; Dimension originally planned to replace HBO with Spotlight on most of the provider's 51 systems nationwide, although it would instead replace competing general interest service Showtime throughout most of its service areas.In December 1981, Times-Mirror sold minority interests in the channel to Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI), Cox Cable and Storer Communications; the three companies, then also among the nation's largest cable providers, mainly served as investors in Spotlight and added the channel to their respective systems; Times-Mirror remained managing partner, handling business and programming operations.