Hollywood Creative Forum: Encouraging Diversity in Television Programming
Black History Month may be nearing its end, but every year it’s a good reminder that we must continue to strive for more representation of underrepresented groups on the screen and behind the scenes of our favorite shows. The inclusion and positive portrayal of women and minorities on television and media not only recognizes our diverse viewership, but also sends the message that people of all classes, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientation need to be seen and heard in order for us to accomplish great things. Some of the brightest and most talented writers, creators, producers and
What It Takes to Bring Us Our Favorite Shows
We’re almost two months into 2016, and many of us are anxious for some of our favorite shows to premiere their long-awaited seasons later this Spring. Having gone to CES 2016 for the first time this past January, I can’t help but look at some of the cinematography with a new-found appreciation as an episode of Game of Thrones or Fear The Walking Dead unfolds on the screen. The entertainment that shows like this provide during that brief one-hour period of our day took an enormous amount of effort and money to bring to fruition. From the creative scripting to the actors’ talent to the equipment
Covering the Coverage: Following C-SPAN on the Campaign Trail
Politics is a little bit like baseball: long stretches of time where seemingly nothing happens punctuated by extreme moments of panic and harried action; small, calculated decisions and acutely prioritized efforts that eventually add up to a win or a loss that could, at any, moment go either way. Where they differ is timing. Baseball can in theory go on forever, where in politics a time must come for voters to vote and the event to be over. NCTA joined C-SPAN earlier this week as they covered the “First-in-the-Nation” New Hampshire Primary. We joined because we wanted to better understand what
Aboard the C-SPAN Bus During the New Hampshire Primary
On a chilly morning this past Sunday in Plymouth, New Hampshire, people filed quickly through a parking lot, some of them wearing their “Make America Great Again” hats in support of Republican candidate Donald Trump. They were there to see Trump as he continued his presidential campaign two days before the state’s primary. Supporters, opposers and neutral citizens alike couldn’t walk towards the college athletic center where the presidential hopeful would kick off his rally without seeing the large C-SPAN Campaign 2016 bus, decked out in red white and blue. It’s hard not to be curious or
Senate Can Save Consumers from Tax on Internet Access
This week, the U.S. Senate has the opportunity to give nearly every American an important commitment for their future Internet access – a permanent moratorium on taxing Internet access. It’s an important measure that has strong bipartisan support and should be passed into law. It’s officially known as ITFA, or the Internet Tax Freedom Act , and by making it permanent, it ensures America’s Internet users never see their Internet access taxed in the way many other telecommunications services often are. More than just a money-saver, passing a permanent ITFA could have long-term benefits for
Covering a Presidential Primary: Interview with C-SPAN Co-President and Co-CEO Susan Swain
In an era in which apps, social media and TV Everywhere have given us instant access to political events that we didn’t have before, how the media covers presidential candidates in the primaries has never been more important. With talking heads and pundits galore, a voter’s opinion can easily be swayed with a mere comment, camera angle, or video editing technique. That’s why a network like C-SPAN, which abstains from commentary, is all the more fascinating, as we explained on Friday. As we continue our bus trip today with the network around New Hampshire on the eve of the primary, we’d like to
Sunday Isn’t Just the Super Bowl of Football
Super Bowl 50. It has a nice ring to it. It’s the culmination of not only another grueling NFL season filled with highs, lows, hits, and wins, but of the immense efforts of both individuals and of teams. The Super Bowl is the best of the best versus the best of the best and over the last fifty years has earned its place (though unofficially) as an American holiday. But it’s not the only such paramount event happening this week. There’s another peak grueling battle that Americans are intensely focused on. It’s the New Hampshire Primary and for Democracy lovers and political wonks alike, it’s
Imagining Tomorrow at INTX
The products and ideas that evolve our digital experiences almost always start as brainstorming sessions. Places of free thought where big ideas turn into the next reality. INTX is the space where just this happens, where exciting discussions find their starting point and new ideas get their break. One of the best parts about INTX is Imagine Park, a place where anyone with an interesting idea is eligible to apply for the opportunity to showcase their work on the latest innovation. All that’s required is an idea that elevates the Internet and television experience. Best practices include great
Play Your Part in Creating A Better and Safer Internet
I was born in the early 1980s, right on the cusp of the transition from Generation X to the Millennials. This placed me squarely within a unique period in the history of broadband technology: I’ve both never known a time before the Internet, yet also experienced first-hand the growing pains of a burgeoning Internet culture. In the beginning the Internet was thrilling, fun, and maybe even a little dangerous. Online, anything felt possible. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t say, do, find, or learn. I could be whoever I wanted to be, go wherever I wanted to go. My parents and teachers didn’t fully
The FCC Broadband Report You Didn't Hear About
If you follow broadband policy, you probably know that last week the FCC released its annual Broadband Progress Report (often referred to as the Section 706 Report) in which it concludes (erroneously) that broadband is not being deployed in a reasonable and timely manner. But did you hear about the other broadband report issued by the FCC last week, the one demonstrating how deployment and performance of broadband in the United States is far outpacing European broadband? Didn’t think so. In conjunction with the well-known Section 706 Report that reviews the progress of broadband deployment in