Kaitz Foundation's Michelle Ray Reflects on the Enduring Importance of Diversity
Each year during the fall, key players across the cable industry gather for meetings and critical exchanges that champion diversity and inclusion efforts. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic may have prevented an in-person gathering in NYC, but it could never prevent the continuance of this gathering which will take place virtually. In fact, WICT and NAMIC have both planned robust agendas of virtual sessions packed with thought leaders driving the value of gender and ethnic diversity. The iconic fundraising Kaitz Dinner, which has been hosted by the Walter Kaitz Foundation every year since 1984
Mediacom’s Connect2Compete Keeps Waterloo Students Connected
As the COVID-19 pandemic forced a nationwide shift to distance learning, schools and internet service providers quickly mobilized to close the gaps for students without a home internet connection. In Iowa, a collaboration between Mediacom Communications and Waterloo Community Schools allowed K-12 education to continue. “Waterloo is a very diverse community in terms of both ethnicity and socioeconomic status.” says Matt O’Brien, executive director of technology for Waterloo Community Schools. “With the move to distance learning, we absolutely didn’t want internet access to be a barrier.” By
Cox Doubles Down on Commitment to Connect Students
To check the latest findings on nationwide broadband network performance during the pandemic, go to the NCTA COVID-19 dashboard. The cable industry has long been committed to closing the digital divide through its numerous broadband adoption programs, community initiatives, and school partnerships. But as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, America's broadband leaders have doubled-down on this commitment to address the education crisis that the country is facing right now. With many schools still either closed or in a hybrid learning mode, cable operators have been stepping up since March to
How ViacomCBS Gets TV Viewers What They Want
On any given day, millions of Americans will sit down to watch TV. But what shows do people put on? And how do they decide where to watch them? Those are some of the questions driving the Global Insights team at ViacomCBS. The team strives to connect audiences with the content they love, and leverages data and research to do so. “Research is really important to helping ViacomCBS keep up with changes in the landscape and how consumers are thinking about them,” says Colleen Fahey Rush, EVP and Chief Research Officer at ViacomCBS. Earlier this year, we visited the ViacomCBS headquarters in New
Discovery's New Network, Hogar de HGTV, Celebrates Hispanic Talent in the Home and Food Space
This past June, under COVID-19 quarantine conditions, Discovery, Inc., launched Hogar de HGTV, an all-new, Spanish- language network dedicated to Hispanic audiences with a focus on the home and food genres. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, Hogar de HGTV is a milestone for Hispanic TV, and one that is worth examining as the cable industry strives to include more Latino and diverse voices on and behind the screen. Yesterday during the virtual Hispanic TV Summit, Eileen Piñeiro, Senior Channel Director for Discovery U.S. Hispanic (a division of Discovery, Inc
Comcast and Chicago Public Schools Team Up to Enable Distance Learning
As schools across the country dive head-first into distance learning and attempt to resolve digital equity issues, districts can find a great model in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and its unique public-private partnership with Comcast. This past summer, Comcast, along with multiple stakeholders, worked with CPS to launch Chicago Connected, a digital equity initiative whose goal is to provide broadband internet at no cost over the course of four years to as many as 100,000 eligible students. The initiative is part of a nationwide effort, K-12 Bridge to Broadband, which provides a path for
Bold Projects Win Big at This Year’s Emmys
On Sunday, TVs biggest names donned their best outfits and parked themselves in front of cameras to attend this year’s Emmy awards, mostly from their living rooms. The show was a significant departure from the past, with COVID-19 preventing the types of large gatherings that usually constitute awards shows like the Emmys. However, one thing didn’t change—the celebration of the best storytelling on TV. From Euphoria to Schitt’s Creek to Watchmen, the evening awarded the type of bold, challenging projects that have become synonymous with cable programming. Cable TV networks took home 71 awards
The First 10G Smart Home is Here
What exactly is a 10G Smart Home? To put it simply, it is the home of the near future, where every device connects seamlessly and where the kinds of next-generation experiences that were once unimaginable are made possible by an ultra-fast 10 gigabit speed internet connection. Now, there is a real-life model of what 10G, the cable industry's initiative to deliver internet speeds that are 10x faster than today's networks to households across America, has in store for consumers. The Mediacom 10G Smart Home was unveiled yesterday in Ames, Iowa, for a tour, and represents the first U.S. field
New SCTE•ISBE-Led Effort Brings Emerging Technologies to the Table for the 10G Era
To check the latest findings on nationwide broadband network performance during the pandemic, go to the NCTA COVID-19 dashboard. Every year ushers in a new era of connectivity as next-generation technologies continue to debut and consumers demand more digital-centric experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic has no doubt accelerated the rate at which Americans are adopting these technologies for applications such as telemedicine, remote learning, and virtual entertainment—all of which require a high-speed broadband connection. Fortunately, the cable industry has been working on bringing 10 gigabit
ESPN Prepares for Monday Night Football, COVID Style
Tonight kicks off the 50-year old American tradition of Monday Night Football, and ESPN is ready to launch its 15th season hosting the program. Even during a pandemic, ESPN has been preparing for a live broadcast under new protocols while staying true to its renowned coverage of the sport. During a media call, the new MNF commentator team, production executives, and reporters previewed the NFL season and shared how they have come together to bring football fans the entertainment they've been waiting for. This year, the network has had to scale down the number of people on site at a football