TV Stats: LGBTQ+ Representation on TV
Pride Month celebrations are underway, and as LGBTQ+ communities find themselves up against new waves of homophobia and transphobia, their stories remain as vital and valuable as ever. For decades, cable TV has been an important platform to tell LGBTQ+ stories. From the creation of the first LGBTQ+ focused network (Logo), to featuring groundbreaking series like “The L Word” and “Pose,” cable has been at the forefront of inclusive programming even at times when many other platforms were hesitant to feature these stories. Given its strong track record, let’s take a look at where the cable TV
TV Networks Focus on LGBTQ+ History for Pride Month and Beyond
Pride Month is here, and TV networks are celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with special programs, documentaries, and new shows that not only spotlight people who identify as LGBTQ+, but that explore how this community has been treated throughout history, in the media, and in today's culture. TV networks are offering curated programming, including AMC+'s "Stream with Pride," HBO Max's "LGBTQ+ voices" collection, and NBCUniversal's "Pride Is Universal: Better Together" campaign, that feature breakthrough shows for the LGBTQ+ community over the last couple of decades. And one programming event to
The HISTORY Channel Premieres Buffalo Soldiers, Theodore Roosevelt, and Bill Clinton Series for Memorial Day
To commemorate Memorial Day, The HISTORY Channel is premiering three special programs—two documentaries and a new series—that highlight different facets of American history and that pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served the United States. "Black Patriots: Buffalo Soldiers" is a one-hour documentary that tells the largely unknown story of the country's first all-Black peacetime regiments who fought to expand America's presence in the West and defend the United States on foreign soil. In the aftermath of the Civil War, Congress passed the Army Reorganization Act, which
GCI Aims to Reduce Suicide Rate, Promote Mental Wellness in Alaska
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Alaskans know better than anyone how important it is to support mental wellness initiatives. Alaska has one of the highest rates of suicide per capita in the nation, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. And in a state where distance already proved a challenge for its rural residents, with some only being able to travel by airplane to visit nearby cities or villages, the isolation periods that the pandemic brought with it were of no help to Alaska's ongoing battle against suicide and mental illness. But as the state's
Broadband Stats: Building on Network Success to Connect Every American
With the possibility to get every American connected in our grasp, it’s important to look at the state of the broadband network as it exists today. By targeting funds to extend service to unserved communities, the goal of closing the digital divide is even closer. Here’s a look at America’s cutting-edge internet networks.
HBO Returns to Baltimore in “We Own This City”
Over the past few years, the issues of police brutality and civil rights have come to a head, notably in the worldwide protests after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. For many, the issue wasn’t new, it was a reality that had been by and large ignored for decades. In the years since, many cable TV programmers have renewed their focus on addressing systemic failures that disproportionately impact Black Americans, including HBO with the new limited series, “We Own This City.” Showrunners George Pelecanos and David Simon were all too familiar with the bad behavior within the halls of power in
Cable TV Networks Spotlight AAPI Month Through Curated Programming
For Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, TV networks are recognizing and celebrating the contributions of the AAPI community in the U.S. by showcasing their stories in special collections throughout the month of May. Cable programmers are deeply committed to using their reach and influence to advocate for a more diverse and inclusive world, and this includes helping to increase representation of the AAPI community on screen, lifting the voices of people of AAPI descent, and condemning racism in all of its forms. Below is a small sampling of the programming and on-screen
Smartly Reforming USF While Building Broadband to All
Over the next few years, federal and state governments will pour once-in-a-generation funding totaling over $140 billion into making robust broadband services available to every American. Chief among these efforts will be NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, representing the country’s largest investment ever in broadband deployment – $42.5 billion. This massive amount of government support will, in turn, unleash additional billions in new private investment to help finish the job of constructing robust networks in places of greatest need. This is a historic
Cable Providers Are Leaders in Closing the Digital Divide
At today's White House event on closing the digital divide, President Biden applauded cable internet service providers (ISPs) for their broadband adoption efforts, including offering plans that enable low-income families to subscribe to 100 Mbps internet service for free when taking advantage of a $30 federal subsidy. With the recent implementation of the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), ISPs including Comcast, Charter, Cox and Mediacom, have rolled out new internet plans throughout their service areas, allowing qualifying ACP households to obtain robust internet service for free
Teacher Appreciation Week and Cable's Commitment to America's Students
Teacher Appreciation Week comes to an end today, but the hard work of teachers and the efforts of schools across the country to keep kids learning and engaged continues throughout the year. Cable providers know this more than anyone, especially after witnessing firsthand for more than two years the challenges that many school districts have faced from school-wide closures and lengthy student absences related to the COVID pandemic. When the pandemic first caused school shutdowns nationwide in spring of 2020, cable providers set out to partner with school districts within their footprints to