TV Stats: LGBTQ+ Representation on TV
Pride Month celebrations are underway, and as LGBTQ+ communities find themselves up against new waves of homophobia and transphobia, their stories remain as vital and valuable as ever. For decades, cable TV has been an important platform to tell LGBTQ+ stories. From the creation of the first LGBTQ+ focused network (Logo), to featuring groundbreaking series like “The L Word” and “Pose,” cable has been at the forefront of inclusive programming even at times when many other platforms were hesitant to feature these stories. Given its strong track record, let’s take a look at where the cable TV
TV Networks Focus on LGBTQ+ History for Pride Month and Beyond
Pride Month is here, and TV networks are celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with special programs, documentaries, and new shows that not only spotlight people who identify as LGBTQ+, but that explore how this community has been treated throughout history, in the media, and in today's culture. TV networks are offering curated programming, including AMC+'s "Stream with Pride," HBO Max's "LGBTQ+ voices" collection, and NBCUniversal's "Pride Is Universal: Better Together" campaign, that feature breakthrough shows for the LGBTQ+ community over the last couple of decades. And one programming event to
GCI Aims to Reduce Suicide Rate, Promote Mental Wellness in Alaska
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Alaskans know better than anyone how important it is to support mental wellness initiatives. Alaska has one of the highest rates of suicide per capita in the nation, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. And in a state where distance already proved a challenge for its rural residents, with some only being able to travel by airplane to visit nearby cities or villages, the isolation periods that the pandemic brought with it were of no help to Alaska's ongoing battle against suicide and mental illness. But as the state's
Cable TV Networks Spotlight AAPI Month Through Curated Programming
For Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, TV networks are recognizing and celebrating the contributions of the AAPI community in the U.S. by showcasing their stories in special collections throughout the month of May. Cable programmers are deeply committed to using their reach and influence to advocate for a more diverse and inclusive world, and this includes helping to increase representation of the AAPI community on screen, lifting the voices of people of AAPI descent, and condemning racism in all of its forms. Below is a small sampling of the programming and on-screen
Championing Diversity and Inclusion Every Day of the Year
Diversity Month may be coming to a close, but the cable industry continues its quest to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace every day of the year. From funds raised for diversity initiatives through the Walter Kaitz Foundation to the putting together of the biennial AIM/PAR Workforce Survey to measure progress in diversity demographics, the industry comes together time and time again to improve advancement opportunities for people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and underrepresented groups of people. And on their own, cable internet service providers (ISPs) have
Michael Powell Speaks at The Media Institute
Earlier this week, NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell participated in a virtual Q&A at The Media Institute on the state of the cable industry, the future of gigabit networks, net neutrality, rural broadband, and more. Check out some of the highlights below: When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, an unprecedented number of people quickly transitioned their work, school and personal lives to be entirely online. Thanks to the decades of investment and thoughtful network planning, America’s broadband networks were a success story. With the influx of federal infrastructure dollars, the U.S. has an
How Cox's Public-Private Partnership in Nevada Helped Connect 100% of Its Students
Looking Back in Order to Move Forward 2020 will long be remembered as the year of distance learning, when schools all over the country closed their doors and pivoted online as the COVID-19 pandemic came to stay. Cable internet service providers (ISPs) got to work quickly and joined with school districts, community organizations, local governments, and businesses to identify unconnected families with school-aged students and to install internet in their homes so that kids could attend school virtually from home. But the ongoing pandemic has shown that broadband connectivity will always be a
Leaders in Sustainable TV Production
Today the world celebrates Earth Day, but more importantly, people around the globe come together to bring important environmental issues to the forefront and to advocate for more sustainable practices in how people live and work. The cable industry collectively takes great measures to ensure that its businesses minimize their carbon footprints and utilize energy efficient methods in their operations. Just like cable broadband providers, TV networks have their own divisions that focus on finding ways to lessen the impact their productions, operations, and facilities have on the environment and
Broadband Stats: Saving Energy to Help the Environment
Friday is Earth Day, and amid a global conversation about curbing climate change, this week is as good a time as any to reflect on the ways industry standards can play a role in helping our planet. For several years, the cable industry, alongside technology partners, has taken steps to improve the energy efficiency of set-top boxes and small network equipment in order to reduce the energy used and thus the cost to the consumer. Via important voluntary agreements adopted by the cable industry (NCTA and CableLabs) and Consumer Technology Association (CTA), there is a strong commitment to energy
The Cable Industry's Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
As Earth Day approaches, and with climate change being a major issue the world is grappling with, there is no better time to look at the steps being taken to make positive changes and to encourage better ways to conserve energy and to protect the environment. Cable internet service providers (ISPs), which aim to connect as many Americans as possible, have become more focused on sustainability and energy efficiency throughout their business practices in recent years. From deploying more energy efficient technology and equipment for the home to creating energy efficient specifications to testing