National Geographic Focuses on Stories With Impact
As the world continues to react to the ongoing pandemic and as the United States wrestles with issues of racial and social justice, many are eager for TV programming that challenges them to learn about the systemic discrimination that has been inherent in many societies across the world. National Geographic has been long been committed to telling the story of not just the planet Earth, but of the people who call it home, their cultural differences, and the struggles and discrimination that marginalized groups face every day. So when National Geographic announced its new lineup earlier this
Cable Broadband Providers Have Connected Millions of Americans In Need
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, NCTA members have worked hard to ensure all Americans remain connected to fast and reliable internet service. In rising to the challenge, cable broadband providers expanded and enhanced their low-income broadband programs and launched new programs to qualifying customers. To date, NCTA members have connected over 10 million consumers to broadband internet through these programs. Why it matters: In a world where an internet connection is a must-have for everything from education and healthcare to job searching, the low-income broadband programs like the
Hallmark Channel Executives Share How the Evolving Brand is Focusing on Inclusive Movies
Valentine's Day fast approaches, and more so than other years, many couples will likely celebrate in their homes and enjoy romantic movies throughout the weekend. There is also a good chance that their TV browsing will lead to the Hallmark Channel. As anyone who has ever scanned the cards section in a store or walked into a Christmas shop knows, Hallmark, owned by Crown Media Family Networks, is much more than a TV network. Hallmark is a brand known for its holiday franchise and for its association with love and connection, and in this way, the TV network has become an integral part of this
Lifetime and Robin Roberts Retell the Story of Black Gospel Singer Mahalia Jackson
Black History Month is well underway, but as NCTA noted last week, cable TV networks strive to lift the voices of the Black community through rich and diverse programming every day of the year. As the nation continues to wrestle with a reckoning over racial injustice, TV plays an influential role in educating audiences about the systemic racism rooted in American history, and in rallying efforts around racial equality. This week at CTAM's portion of the virtual Television Critics Association press tour, critics got a sneak peek at a film that speaks to some of these issues, and heard a slice
Safer Internet Day Reminds Us, 'We Are All in This Together'
Today is Safer Internet Day, a time when communities, schools, organizations, and families come together to learn and share best practices for keeping children safe online. While in-person events are cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ConnectSafely—a nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering families on internet safety—produced a video series in honor of the day and an asynchronous program consisting of home activities and lesson plans for schools. The video series includes interviews with technology, media, and education experts as they speak about a range of issues, from
Gigabit Speeds Will Power America’s Digital Future
Over the past several decades, millions of miles of fiber-rich broadband networks have been deployed and broadband speeds have dramatically increased. Today, the high-speed internet that made everything from video conferencing to virtual reality possible is available across the United States. In fact, 80% of U.S. homes can now access 1 gigabit speed broadband. Why it matters: Americans rely on connected devices and rich online experiences more than ever before. With smartTVs, smart speakers, smart thermometers and more, who doesn’t have at least one connected device in their home?! While this
How the Industry's Energy Efficiency Program Helps With Network Resiliency
As the pandemic surges on, NCTA continues to report, on a biweekly basis, the network performance data gathered from major cable broadband providers across the country. The NCTA COVID-19 Dashboard was first published last April as the cable industry came together in an effort to be as transparent as possible about network performance during a time when remote work, virtual schooling, and telehealth were at an all-time high and internet traffic patterns were spiking. NCTA has published several posts that explain why cable networks have been more than adequately prepared to handle the surges in
Elevating Black Voices During Black History Month and Beyond
Black History Month is celebrated in February, but the cable industry supports initiatives that are focused on social justice for the Black community all year long. As the country continues to undergo a reckoning on race and inequality, especially in the aftermath of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, cable operators and TV programmers are stepping up their efforts to support the Black community, to combat racism, and to create a more just and equitable society. Last June, Comcast NBCUniversal pledged $100 million towards a multiyear program to fight injustice and
Esports, Already Growing, Enters A New Era
Long before the SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged, esports and online gaming were the budding markets many looked to with excitement. Would streaming gameplay REALLY rival conventional sports like football and baseball? Experts projected that by 2021, the esports audience would grow to 84 million Americans, making it the second most popular sport by viewership after the NFL. Esports had (and has) grown to be such a cultural force that internet service providers (ISPs) like Comcast and Cox sponsor teams around the country, not to mention TV networks like Turner getting in on the action. And in the case
Charter Brings 'Big Internet' to Virginia's Eastern Shore
There was a time when Timothy Smith, the owner of an antique appraisal, restoration and woodworking shop in Onancock, Virginia, struggled in his day-to-day work because of a slow and unreliable internet connection. Not only was it a challenge for Smith to hear customers on the other end of the phone, but he also found himself waiting far too long for internet images to load. Smith's business–Timothy Smith & Sons–specializes in woodworking and antique restoration services for prestigious institutions, historical societies, government agencies, and private clients in the Mid-Atlantic region