Yes, I believe they were. That was the major selling point. But, I think by the time Dukes ran on TNN, cable was showing ads.

Garrett won the race in '25!  

Jesse "It sure would be nice if we figure this out before the 2027 Moonshine 400. Does anybody remember who won the race in '25?"  Garrett sounded off, "I believe you did Uncle Jesse. Weren't you racing with your 1923 Ford Coupe?"  Jesse snapped back fast. "I mean 2025 you crazy kid. Why would you expect me to remember a 101 year old race when you can't even remember who came in second a half hour ago?"

That sounds exciting! 

I lived in the country when cable TV first came out but (correct me if I'm wrong my fellow Americans) but weren't all the cable stations back then commercial free? As I recall, that was one of the big selling points.