NBCUniversal Is Set to Produce the 'Most Meaningful Olympic Games of our Lifetime'
The Tokyo Olympics officially kick off tomorrow with the opening ceremonies, and NBCUniversal is more than ready to pull off the first major global media event since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. (In fact, the network has already been covering the start of the Olympic Games in softball and soccer for the past few days.) Despite the lack of in-person audiences due to the ongoing pandemic, there is no doubt that the world will be watching as the Games unfold, especially after the event was postponed last summer. "We are going to deliver the most comprehensive—and accessible—coverage
New Study Examines Internet Traffic Patterns and Bandwidth Requirements
As America climbs out of the COVID-19 pandemic, cable's broadband networks continue to prove their ability to handle unprecedented spikes in internet traffic—from the state lockdowns of last spring when more people than ever before connected online, to the present day as businesses and schools begin to experiment with new hybrid working models. But no matter what the “new normal” will be, one certainty is the importance of a reliable and robust broadband connection. As we step back and assess how networks handled the pandemic surge in traffic, a new report by Cartesian, a consulting group with
TV Stats: Excellence On Screen
The last decade for TV has been nothing short of a revolution. New technologies and new distribution methods have changed how audiences consume their entertainment and have resulted in an explosion of new shows. In fact, 493 original scripted shows premiered in 2020, according to FX Networks. More competition for eyeballs means networks are eager to tell powerful stories and elevate authentic voices. With a healthy, competitive TV marketplace, audiences are the winners. Cable TV networks have a long history of leading the pack with award-winning programming. From “The Sopranos” to “Mare of
Take a TV Dive with a Shark
It's that time of year when sharks rule not just the waters, but America's TV screens. Sharks have always been a fan favorite, and two cable TV networks are combining science and research with nonstop thrills and entertainment to teach audiences about these fascinating sea creatures. National Geographic kicked off its ninth annual SHARKFEST programming special earlier this week, which runs for a total of six weeks. Meanwhile, Discovery is in its third decade of SHARK WEEK, with its 33rd annual production launching July 11 and running for seven days. National Geographic's programming includes
Broadband Stats: America’s Fast Internet Speeds
Over the last year, Americans have moved more of their lives online. Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, many offices are now embracing hybrid work models, and at the same time new advancements in entertainment and gaming like augmented reality and virtuality reality are starting to take off. Despite the surges in internet traffic that these new habits and technologies are causing, America’s broadband networks are ready for whatever the future holds. Compare that to the global average of 99 Mbps, and it is clear the United States is in a strong position to handle whatever the future has in
Why Cable ISPs are Invaluable to Advancing Telehealth Services in the Home
While the concept of telehealth had long been around prior to March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was undoubtedly a catalyst for the widespread adoption of the practice. In fact, adoption for this form of healthcare delivery among Medicare recipients jumped by 10,000% over a six-week period during state lockdown orders, according to a new study. Never before had a broadband connection proven to be more critical in healthcare than when millions of Americans connected online from home during the pandemic to meet with healthcare professionals. Telehealth firms like Cox's Trapollo kept patients and
Five Ways 10G Will Transform Today's Technologies and Applications
Cable internet service providers have invested billions of dollars into continually upgrading their networks, and over the past couple of decades that has translated into increased speeds and access for millions of people in the United States. In fact, over 80% of cable customers have access to gigabit speeds. And since the cable industry’s announcement in 2019 about the 10G initiative, cable operators have been working towards rolling out 10 gigabit speeds to households all over the map and making steady progress on deploying this next-generation service. But what will 10G look like in
Measuring the Monthly Value of a Broadband Connection
More than ever before, the past year has shown that a broadband connection is invaluable for Americans to continue working, learning, and socializing. And connectivity demands will only continue to increase as technologies advance and more services move online, making an internet connection a "must have" in the home. Fortunately, the cost of a monthly internet subscription only takes up a small part of average household expenses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When considering the limitless possibilities that a broadband connection unlocks for consumers, the value of today’s
A Time to Celebrate Wi-Fi Progress While Building Towards the Future
This Sunday marks World Wi-Fi Day, and there is a lot to celebrate about the technology that has transformed the way people connect and made invaluable contributions to the global economy. Wi-Fi has proven especially critical over the last year, as we all adapted to working and learning from home and keeping in touch by phone and video. According to Plume, the number of Wi-Fi devices connected to home Wi-Fi networks increased dramatically beginning in mid-March 2020, in some markets over 100% over pre-pandemic levels, which enabled business, education, healthcare, and social interactions to
Broadband Data: Connecting Every American
In today's world, an internet connection can make a huge difference in a person's life. But long before the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the rate at which our lives moved online, America's internet service providers offered special, low-cost broadband adoption plans like Connect2Compete and Internet Essentials so that everyone could participate. In fact, over the last decade, more than 14 million customers connected to the internet via these discounted offerings. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, work, school, and social lives were forced to move online. That accelerated need to get connected