Five years ago, the TI-IN Network launched the first private long-distance interactive television network. Via satellite, it now beams live televised interactive courses taught by master teachers to thousands of high school students scattered across 29 states. Begun as a public and private joint venture with the Education Service Center Region 20 in San Antonio, TI-IN has grown to be a leading force in distance learning. The number of TI-IN school sites is approaching 1,000, and revenues are expected to hit $12 million this year. In 1984 the Texas legislature required that school districts provide any course requested by 10 students or more. TI-IN offered a cost-effective alternative to small rural districts, with the cost of electronically importing courses running one third to one half of a resident teacher's salary. Today, two channels of simultaneous programming (17 courses/2,000 hours a year) are broadcast to satellite dishes at school sites. TI-IN also provides 200 hours of staff development programming, some of it for college credit. This year, TI-IN high school classes will also be available through cable television in many parts of the country. TI-IN's live interactive programming will be a part of a 24-hour cable education channel called Mind Extension University, which will also offer undergraduate and graduate courses. This article contains vignettes about students, teachers, and teaching methods. (SV)