Why Holiday Movies Thrive on Cable
The Los Angeles Times recently came out with an article on the rise of holiday programming popularity on cable networks, particularly the made-for-TV holiday movies. Citing Nielsen sources from last year, the Timesreports that Hallmark’s ratings doubled during the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, while the small UP TV network saw a 74 percent rise in ratings. Though TV Everywhere and apps have opened the doors for us to watch anything we want while on the go or on any device, there’s something about the holiday season that makes the classic era of television gatherings come alive
INTX is a Social Experience in More Ways than One
It may seem far away, but May 16th 2016, the day INTX kicks off in Boston, is just around the corner. INTX is the industry’s can’t-miss event, the ultimate coming together of the digital economy’s builders, creators and visionaries. In other words, INTX is an event as much about connections and conversations as it is about attending programs and visiting the Marketplace floor. That’s why we’ve taken such care in curating great digital spaces that ensure you can get the most out of your Boston experience. First, there’s @intxNCTA, INTX’s home on Twitter. Here you’ll find a steady stream of show
Why NCTA Asked 100,000 Americans How They Feel About the Internet
When we talk about the cable industry’s impact on the Internet, we usually highlight things like building broadband networks, increasing Internet speeds, deploying Wi-Fi hotspots and making TV Everywhere a reality. But what we don’t often focus on are things that are less tangible, like how each one of use has an individual relationship with the Internet that shapes and affects its future. Some might say more esoteric ideas like this are best left to the deep thinkers and visionaries that drive technology and not the infrastructure builders like us. But we say the two are the same. As an
Kids and Technology: Good or Bad?
It’s nearly impossible to find kids these days without phones, iPads or some other electronic device in their hands. Older generations grew up without this kind of connectivity, and many of us can’t help but wonder if this new way of life for children is an advantage or detriment to their growth and maturity. But according to a new study, the majority of parents actually view technology use by their children as a plus for their futures. The Family Online Safety Institute recently gathered responses from parents on how they perceive technology in their kids’ lives. Questions ranged from how
Is Virtual Reality Here to Stay?
Earlier this month, the New York Times released its first Virtual Reality Sunday subscription. Readers received Google cardboard virtual reality viewers in the Sunday edition and used them to immerse themselves into the NYTVR app, which hosts short non-fiction films that tell important stories. And early next quarter, Oculus Rift is set to release the first consumer version of its headset. YouTube and Facebook just enabled 360 degree videos for their platforms, perfect for virtual reality early adopters and web users alike. The groundwork is clearly being laid for virtual reality in the
Apps are Already Revolutionizing TV
Not so long ago, if I wanted to watch my favorite TV show (it was Battlestar Galactica, for the record) I had to make sure I was home in time to catch it live on SyFy. And if I missed it, I had to cross my fingers that there would be a re-run before the next episode began. For a serial show like Battlestar, skipping an episode was a serious problem. Missing a big plot point threw the whole narrative off and with no way to get back on course, I had to piece together what I missed through a mix of spoiler sites and friends. And then one day, I didn’t have to do that anymore. DVR’s became
Cable Honors Military Veterans Year-Round
Today and year-round, thanks to a variety of initiatives launched by operators and programmers, the cable industry joins the rest of the country in showing military veterans how much we value the sacrifices they have made. Through leveraging the influence, reach, and numerous resources within our industry, there are a myriad of efforts that support these individuals who have given so much for our country. NCTA is a proud member of Mission Media, an initiative that debuted in September 2015 to promote and support the career development of veterans in the industry. The initiative is a collective
Why Apps, not New Tech Mandates, Will Make for a Better TV Experience
Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the launch of the all-new app-based Apple TV, “The future of TV is apps.” We couldn’t agree more. To date, 56 million pay-TV provider apps have been downloaded onto iOS and Android devices alone, and there are an estimated 460 million IP enabled devices currently in the marketplace that support pay-TV apps. Silicon Valley and television viewers love TV on apps because they’re easy to use, easy to improve, and easy to authenticate. And anyone who regularly watches TV via an app knows they get better every day. Which is why it’s so puzzling that there continues to be a
For Kids and Media Use, How Much is Too Much?
Kids today are often more digitally connected than their parents. We see teenagers taking selfies and immediately posting to their social media accounts, or middle school students using a language app on their phones for Spanish class. But how much media time are kids logging these days, and are they making smart choices with their connectivity time? Common Sense Media recently released The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Teens and Tweens, a new study quantifying children’s media use. The numbers are predictably big: teens use media about nine hours a day, tweens around six hours. But it’s
Live Television Still Reigns Supreme
Remember when the DVR first became a thing? We watched TV with a new sense of wonder, pausing shows whenever we’d get up for a snack, and zapping through those annoying commercials. Then came apps. With the help of Wi-Fi and just one finger tap, TV content now streams directly to our phones and tablets. That latest Fargo episode will be there for us after we get off the airplane. But, low and behold, even with these new advancements catering to our schedules, recent data reveals most of us still manage to squeeze in chunks of time to watch our favorite programs live. According to Nielsen, live