Final answer:
Option C: Local TV stations that broadcast national network programming are known as affiliates, which also offer local news and carry national ads.
Step-by-step explanation:
A network supplies programming and services to local TV stations, also known as affiliates, which agree to broadcast the network's content during certain hours. These affiliates carry national advertising within their programming and make local interruptions only for urgent news or emergencies. Local affiliates, such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox affiliates, are integral in delivering both national network programming and locally focused news to their viewers.
While cable programming has provided an alternative method for networks to reach viewers, before the era of cable and fiber optics, the presence of local affiliates was necessary for networks to disseminate their content through transmission towers. Nowadays, these affiliates continue to provide a blend of national and local news coverage, with national networks producing and distributing widely-consumed content, while local stations contribute with region-specific programming. While cable has changed the landscape, affiliates remain a crucial link between networks and viewers for national and local content.