The 1980s saw the rise of cable television, which led to an explosion of new networks and production companies. Studios like HBO (founded in 1972), Showtime (founded in 1976), and MTV (founded in 1981) produced edgy, premium content that attracted niche audiences. This period also saw the emergence of independent production companies like Miramax (founded in 1979) and New Line Cinema (founded in 1967), which produced successful films like The Blair Witch Project (1999) and The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003).