One of the ways in which television changed during the 1970s that impacted the distribution of older, independent, and foreign films was....Looser restrictions from the FCC in terms of content,Lawsuits designed to "open up" the airwaves to non-studio and non-network material,An evolution from over-the-air (antenna) to cable-based systems of delivery,The huge financial success of PBS and other government-funded efforts,

The 1970s was a transformative period for television, and several factors contributed to the change in distribution of older, independent, and foreign films.

1. Looser restrictions from the FCC: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began to relax its content restrictions during this period. This allowed for a wider variety of films, including older, independent, and foreign films, to be broadcast on television.

2. Lawsuits to open up the airwaves: There were several lawsuits during the 1970s aimed at opening up the airwaves to non-studio and non-network material. This meant that independent and foreign films, which were often produced outside of the major studios and networks, had more opportunities to be broadcast.

3. Shift to cable-based systems: The 1970s also saw a shift from over-the-air (antenna) systems to cable-based systems of delivery. Cable television allowed for a greater number of channels, which in turn provided more opportunities for the distribution of a wider variety of films.

4. Success of PBS and government-funded efforts: Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and other government-funded efforts saw huge financial success during the 1970s. These platforms often prioritized educational and culturally diverse content, which included older, independent, and foreign films.

In conclusion, the 1970s was a pivotal decade for television and the distribution of diverse film content. The loosening of FCC restrictions, lawsuits to open up the airwaves, the shift to cable-based systems, and the success of PBS and other government-funded efforts all contributed to this change.