The stations or networks available through an additional or premium fee paid to the cable provider.  The signals are blocked/scrambled to those that do not pay for the service. There is also generally no advertising on these stations.

Premium or Pay Cable stations usually reflect more 'adult' content as they are unregulated by the FCC and can air profanity, nudity, pornography and violence.

ex: HBO, Cinemax, Showtime

Sometimes also referred to as Premium Cable.