Hallmark Channel CEO Shares the Magic Behind the Network's Strategy
It's Valentine's Day, and of all the TV programming to choose from, there's no question which channel many viewers will turn to on a day like today. When it comes to holiday or romantic comedy sentiment, few networks have the legacy and powerful brand presence like the Hallmark Channel does, and audiences just can't get enough. While at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour last week, NCTA sat down with Bill Abbott, President & CEO of Crown Media Family Networks, to learn about the genius behind one of America's most popular TV networks, and how the Hallmark Channel has managed
Ovation TV: 'A Time of Renaissance for Creative Production'
Today is the last day of the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour—a time when the country's top TV journalists come together in Los Angeles to hear from directors, producers and casts of the new and existing shows that await viewers every spring. During the cable programming portion, NCTA caught up with Ovation TV Executive Vice President of Programming and Production, Scott Woodward, to get a better understanding of how the network selects shows that strike a chord with audiences, and how Ovation differentiates itself when viewers have a limitless number of options. Known for
Meet Wi-Fi 6
Most people rarely think about the Wi-Fi they use everyday, let alone how it might change or how it works. But Wi-Fi does, in fact, change and update like any other technology. The next generation of Wi-Fi network technology, called Wi-Fi 6 (the technical name is IEEE 802.11ax), will hit the market later this year and help with network congestion, deliver faster speeds, including gigabit connections like 10G, and other improvements. This new certification includes Wi-Fi connected devices from routers to smart lightbulbs to tablets. Also, Wi-Fi 6 is backwards compatible, meaning if someone buys
Congress Must Act to Fix the “Infinite Loop” of Net Neutrality Uncertainty
Tomorrow Michael Powell, President and CEO of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, will testify before the House Subcommittee for Communications and Technology. The hearing will focus on preserving an open internet for consumers, small businesses, and free speech. This is an issue the broadband industry not only supports, but also one we have consistently worked with policymakers to advance. Though the issue has become increasingly polarized, the fact remains that the core issue—protecting an open internet—is one everyone has always agreed on. Indeed, this critical issue deserves an
IoT Has Quietly and Quickly Changed Our Lives
It’s pretty clear now—Americans love the Internet of Things (IoT). Connected devices are finding their way into more aspects of our daily lives, and that has a big impact on the digital landscape. In fact, according to Parks Associates, 71 percent of U.S. broadband households own a connected entertainment device. Combine that with the fact that streaming video made up 76 percent of all consumer internet traffic in 2017, and it’s clear how large of an impact IoT already has on the internet ecosystem. And it’s only going to grow, and quickly. In the next few years, analysts expect IoT to be the
A Balanced Spectrum Policy is the Way Forward
Earlier this month, in response to the President's call for the development of a National Spectrum Strategy, NCTA offered our view of how America should develop a balanced plan that seeks to increase spectrum access for all users. In comments to the NTIA, we stressed the importance of adopting a strategy that enables additional uses of spectrum and protects consumers' use of certain bands that currently enable them to receive television programming. Spectrum is a critical element for service providers to meet consumers' escalating demand for seamless connectivity to all of their devices, no
Why Cable TV is Better Than Ever
Consumers today have the most diverse and unlimited menu of choices on TV than ever before. In the last two decades, cable TV networks have invested more than $430 billion to create rich entertainment experiences that keep viewers coming back time and time again, and it's easy to see why cable shows continue to stand out for their inspiring stories and top-knotch talent. The time and effort that cable programmers put into recruiting the best writers, directors, actors and showrunners and into producing the type of quality storytelling that dominates TV ratings is paying off and viewers are
America is Now a Gigabit Nation
Fast and reliable internet connectivity has never been as powerful or widespread as it is today. In 2019, the majority of U.S. households—80 percent—can now receive gigabit service from their cable internet provider. That's over 40 states that have gigabit offerings in both urban and rural communities, up from just five percent in 2016. The rate of availability for gigabit speeds has increased significantly, and that's especially important given the demands of consumers today for networks that can deliver advanced technology such as virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence
Celebrating Innovative Storytelling at the Golden Globes
Before viewers truly dive into the new and returning shows of 2019, it's worth taking a look at the Golden Globe Awards to get a good sense of the kind of programming that stands apart in today's competitive yet thriving TV marketplace, and which shows might be in for an Emmy reckoning later this year. This past Sunday, the 76th annual awards show entertained and inspired audiences by awarding accolades to a good mix of new and buzzy programming, as well as those steadfast dramas that never cease to disappoint. Here are a few of the memorable highlights. FX's The Americans, the beloved spy
The 10 Gigabit Network of the Future
By Michael Powell Imagination is the source of innovation. It drives us to push past present limitations and to think anew about what the world can be. With regard to internet service, while it's difficult to predict the specific ways that we will connect and communicate digitally in the next decade, it's also evident that consumer demands on networks will grow, offering new challenges but also exciting new possibilities. For that reason, while the cable industry remains focused on executing to meet the needs of customers today, it also devotes significant energy to thinking ahead about the