First I recommend looking at the groups on LinkedIn, please don't dive in there and ask stupid questions, but read and perhaps ask a well placed question. Give context and you'll find the experts there mostly willing to help.

There are different types of cable companies, but things you need to know are: 1) Coax costs more than fiber optics You might think this is a stupid statement but when you are rolling out over a wide area you will find this. Look at GPON technology, even small community cable companies in Spain are using this advanced technology. 2) You either use digital TV or IPTV technology to deliver the channels. Digital TV (like DVB-C), will allow you to use a lot of legacy technology but it will leave you stuck in a legacy quickly. IPTV will require using all new hardware but that hardware may be cheaper to invest. 3) TV networks often need heavy constraints on content security (encryption and DRM), don't think that you can change the world, the Hollywood/MLB/NFL/NHL/Premier League lawyers won't budge and even the TV networks have to bow to the rights holders. If you don't have security built in then you will fail to get content, poor security will result in you having to do a major swap out which could bankrupt you. 3) IPTV should be multicast in order to reduce the costs of delivery on the network. 4) You will need a big internet connection. 5) Employ some people who know what they are doing already, there are lots of semi-retired engineers who can help you achieve what you want and they needn't cost you the earth. Again, check LinkedIn for this.