2017 Brings in More Scripted TV Content Than Ever Before
As 2017 winds down, it's common to see annual "best of year" lists floating around, and TV and entertainment writers have even more programming to choose from this year. FX Networks estimates that the final count for the number of scripted TV series in 2017 will exceed 500 by year end. That's up from 455 from last year, and more than double since 2010. With more options than ever in programming content, 2017 continued the trend of bringing viewers a plethora of niche and diverse stories, reaching people of all different backgrounds. In fact, a survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers speaks to the
Let's Calm Down. No Matter What Happens with Net Neutrality, an Open Internet isn't Going Anywhere
By NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell Originally published in recode on December 13th, 2017 Tomorrow, the Federal Communications Commission will vote to restore light-touch regulation and promote investment in internet networks. Opponents of this action have responded with hyperbole, demagoguery and even personal threats. New-age Nostradamuses predict the internet will stop working, democracy will collapse, plague will ensue and locusts will cover the land. With an ounce of reflection, one knows that none of this will come to pass, and the imagined doom will join the failed catastrophic
The Twelve Days of Statistics
As the days get shorter and all the decorations go up, we here at NCTA couldn’t help getting in on the holiday fun too. So, for the next 12 days we’ll be highlighting a new statistic about the industry we are proud to represent. Keep an eye out on twitter to unwrap a new statistic each day from now until Christmas, and if you’re hungry for more facts, head over to our website.
Connected TVs and TV Everywhere Are Gaining Ground
With more pay TV subscribers becoming regular TV Everywhere users, the connected TV is rapidly becoming the preferred device to watch. Industry reports show that consumers are opting to utilize connected TVs, TV Everywhere services and programming apps that are creating a whole new way of watching television. The Nielsen Total Audience Report, which found that consumers this year are spending 32 more minutes a day than last year connected to media for a total of 10 hours and 48 minutes, highlighted internet-enabled devices capable of streaming content to a TV set. TV-connected devices include
A Chorus of Voices Supporting the FCC
The FCC proposal to restore a "light-touch" approach and reverse the 1930’s-era public utility regulation (Title II) imposed in 2015 has led to quite an outpouring of opinion (and unfortunately some very nasty online vitriol). As representatives of America’s large and small internet providers who offer high-speed internet to 93 percent of U.S. homes in communities large and small, we want to make clear that the FCC’s actions are both sensible and rooted in decades of success. In 2015, the former FCC unjustifiably departed from decades of bipartisan support and incredible success when it
How Amdocs is Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Customer Service
From Facebook to Amazon to Waze, artificial intelligence, or AI, is changing the way we use and interact with technology. It’s also transforming customer service. Comcast announced earlier this year that AI and machine learning will be a priority in developing their next-gen customer care program. Comcast Cable CEO Dave Watson commented during the Cable-Tec Expo in Denver that the provider hosted an AI demo day during the summer, and that “if there’s ever an industry that’s primed and could benefit from taking data and making it available to agents and customers, it’s ours. I think it’s really
Three Questions: Combatting Cybersecurity Threats
NCTA introduces its newest series, three questions with an expert. Check back periodically for interviews on different topics with various professionals within the cable industry. Topic: Combatting Cybersecurity Threats Expert: Matt Tooley, NCTA Vice President of Broadband Technology NCTA’s Matt Tooley provides a snapshot of cybersecurity threats and what ISPs are doing to protect users. Name a few threats that internet users should be most concerned about when they connect online. Most experts would agree that the biggest concern is phishing. Phishing often occurs via email, but the criminals
American Ninja Warrior Nick Hanson Shares His Story of Rural Broadband
Nick Hanson is a lot of things; he’s a coach, a volunteer, a Native Alaskan, and a Ninja Warrior. He’s also an internet advocate. Hailing from Unalakleet, an extremely small town in Western Alaska, Hanson knows how important a reliable internet connection is for small communities like his. It’s a lifeline, delivering access an education, receive quality healthcare, and remain plugged in to the rest of the world. With Hanson’s notoriety as a competitor on American Ninja Warrior, a TV show where athletes race to complete extremely difficult obstacle courses, Hanson has a remarkable platform to
TV Piracy's Reckless Consumption of ‘Phantom’ Bandwidth
Sandvine's spotlight on subscription TV piracy released earlier this month highlighted some of the major problems that unlicensed content is causing in the media and entertainment space. The costs that are lost to content creators– which TV piracy services are essentially stealing from– could mean less money to invest in creative programming in the future. But another issue that the report raised which isn't talked about very much is phantom bandwidth and its effect on cable operators and consumers. But first, what is phantom bandwidth? Sandvine defines phantom bandwidth as "data that is
The State of the LGBTQ Community on Television and in the Workplace
With National Transgender Awareness Week underway, it's a good time to take a look at where the cable community stands when it comes to not only supporting transgender issues, but in encouraging an inclusive environment for the LGBTQ community–from the programming that airs on television to the policies in the workplace. GLAAD, the non-profit advocacy group that works to build acceptance for LGBTQ groups in media and entertainment, recently released their annual "Where We Are on TV" report from the 2017-2018 TV seasons, which examines the diversity and number of LGBTQ characters on broadcast