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
LGBT Inclusiveness and Diversity Define Storytelling on Cable
The Oscars are coming up soon, but this year the headlines haven’t been all glitz and glam. The lack of nominations for people of color, women and LGBT groups caused quite a stir, and while the Academy responded by promising to increase the diversity of its board of members , the situation has reminded us about the message that comes across when underrepresented groups fail to be recognized in media and entertainment. In another recent headline, Disney Channel’s teen actress of Girl Meets World, Rowan Blanchard, also challenged the status quo on her channel earlier this month on LGBT
Three Charts That Show Broadband Deployment is Reasonable and Timely
Every year, the FCC is required by Congress to “determine whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonably and timely fashion.” This is officially called the Broadband Progress Report, a title that indicates it should report on growth, development and advancement of broadband in America. Any cursory and objective review of the statistics, even those from the Commission itself, should compel an overwhelming affirmative conclusion. Unfortunately, what should be an unbiased, data-driven assessment has largely been supplanted by an ends-driven
What Does the FCC Know that Apple, Netflix, and Roku Don’t?
TV today is trending for consumers. We’re experiencing an incredible programming renaissance where both the quality and quantity of shows is better than ever before and only improving. We’re also living through a tectonic technology shift that rivals the invention of broadcasting, leveraging rapidly expanding app marketplaces, ubiquitous connectivity and ever shrinking portable screens to deliver limitless television where, when and how we want it. We see these innovations almost daily, which is why it’s so strange that government feels compelled to insert itself in the mix in order to do Big
Boy, We Really Love Streaming Media
The East Coast is about to get pummeled by a monster snowstorm. After the messiness of digging out cars and clearing walkways, I’ll be getting down to the real business of surviving a blizzard – binging on TV. First Mr. Robot, then Orphan Black, and after that a little Game of Thrones season 5 refresher to prepare for season 6 in April. Take a look at the latest streaming statistics and stand back in awe. Not only do Americans stream a ton of media, but we do it thanks to remarkable speeds. Snowstorm or not, Americans love streaming media. Sources: http://www.emarketer.com/Article/US-Adults