Classic Arts Showcase is a television channel in the United States promoting the fine arts. The television program content includes prepared media and recorded live performances. It is a 24-hour non-commercial satellite channel broadcasting a mix of various classic arts including animation, architectural art, ballet, chamber, choral music, dance, folk art, museum art, musical theater, opera, orchestral, recital,  instrumental, solo vocal, and theatrical play, as well as classic film and archival documentaries. Self-described on its web site as "Classical MTV", the channel features renowned artists, both professional and amateur, as well as many rare and independent performances and videos. An 8-hour mix of video clips is prepared weekly and broadcast three times daily. Text displayed on the screen provides details about the recording, and encourages viewers to gain inspiration and “...go out and feast from the buffet of arts available in your community.” The explanation for not providing a schedule is they feel that surprise is an effective tactic to encourage the public to see that which is not familiar to them. CAS launched on May 3, 1994 and is completely funded by the Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation. It does not solicit any outside funding. Lloyd Rigler died in 2003, but left at least twenty years of funding to the channel. CAS is offered free to any broadcaster, or public, educational, and government access (PEG) channel on a cable television system that requests a feed. CAS is shown on more than 500 channels in the United States, as well as some in Canada. CAS does not publish information about channels in other countries.