Cable's Economic Impact Reaches $460 Billion
A new report, "Investing in America: The Cable Industry's Economic Impact on People, Infrastructure & Programming" finds that the economic impact by America's cable industry has reached approximately $460 billion. The report by Bortz Media & Sports Group looks at how cable's investment in infrastructure and award-winning programming has reached and affected consumers in nearly every community across the United States. A segment of the report also includes data indicative of the essential role that cable broadband played during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in supporting Americans through
As Inflation Rises for Most of the Economy, Internet Prices Decline
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted supply chains and consumers have seen price increases on many goods. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of September which showed that, as compared to September 2020, overall prices for consumers increased 5.4%. However, the real price of internet services fell 2.6% in September as compared to last year. In other words, while much of the economy has seen significant prices increases, internet price changes are at rates below many other important goods and services purchased by consumers. As
Powell at Diversity Week 2021: Our Wellbeing is Inextricably Intertwined
Every autumn, the cable industry usually converges in Manhattan to discuss and advocate for practices that further diversity and inclusion across the media and entertainment landscape. While COVID-19 may have forced the activities of Diversity Week to go digital for a second year in a row, nothing could get in the way of the efforts that contribute to this important work. Last night, NCTA President and CEO Michael Powell delivered an address at the Walter Kaitz Foundation’s Virtual Gathering, the event that this year replaced the traditional in-person fundraising dinner in Time Square. Powell
The Cable Industry Comes Together Virtually to Champion Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Every year for the past several decades, the cable industry has held Diversity Week—a time for cable operators and TV networks to discuss and advocate for practices that further diversity and inclusion across the media and entertainment landscape. Although the pandemic has prevented another in-person gathering in New York City this fall, the industry continues its mission this week to engage in meaningful discussions around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through virtual panels and conversations via the WICT and NAMIC conferences, and culminating with the Walter Kaitz Foundation's
Cable TV Networks Strive to Elevate the Hispanic Community
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which began on September 15 and runs through October 15, cable programmers have launched initiatives aimed at lifting the voices of the Hispanic community and raising awareness around the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion in every facet of American life. Cable TV networks work year-round to use their large reach and influence to better educate and inform millions of viewers about the different cultures and ethnicities that make up America. During Hispanic Heritage Month, the cable industry joins the rest of the country in recognizing and
How the Comcast Lift Zones Benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston During a Crucial Year
This month, millions of children went back to in-person classes and started after-school programs for the first time in over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But some of these programs never shut down. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a nonprofit that operates after-school programs for young people nationwide, remained opened in many locations to continue serving the families who depend on the clubs' services. In fact, in the greater Houston area, the Boys & Girls Clubs opened their doors for eight hours a day during the school week as soon as they were able to implement health and
Energy Efficiency Programs Are Helping the Wallet and the Environment
Innovative voluntary energy efficiency programs for set-top boxes and home internet equipment continue to yield tremendous financial savings for consumers while significantly reducing energy consumption. Pay-TV providers and internet service providers and their manufacturing and retail partners are demonstrating their commitment to energy conservation by participating in the voluntary agreements, both of which are led by NCTA, Consumer Technology Association (CTA), and CableLabs. New independent audits released by D+R International revealed the latest findings highlighted below that
A Tribute to Cable Employees This Labor Day
The past year and a half has seen its ups and downs during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but through it all, cable employees have remained steadfast in their commitment to delivering the internet and television services that millions of Americans across the country depend on to continue working, learning, and connecting. As America prepares to celebrate the upcoming Labor Day holiday, it's important to reflect and pay tribute to the numerous field technicians, engineers, customer service agents, television showrunners and producers, and all industry employees who work around the clock to keep
GLAAD Shares Why LGBTQ Representation in Children's Media is So Important
Over the last two decades, the United States and much of the world has experienced a dramatic shift in attitudes over acceptance of LGBTQ people. During that time, on screen representation has soared, thanks in part to big names in cable TV (such as HBO or Showtime) taking what was then considered a risk and producing shows that not only portrayed LGBTQ people in positive ways, but also had them as central characters. This expanding of perspectives on screen has been met with critical acclaim as well as commercial success. Where conventional wisdom once held that queer characters and story
How Broadband Networks Fared During the Internet's Biggest Stress Test Ever
As America (hopefully) begins its climb out of the COVID-19 pandemic and many offices and schools are reopening, it's worth reflecting over the past 17 months how broadband networks performed and enabled our country to stay engaged and productive during this unprecedented public health crisis. After all, considering how quickly stay-at-home orders forced tens of millions of workers and students home, COVID-19 was undoubtedly the biggest stress test that the internet has ever faced. When the outbreak of COVID-19 caused states to issue stay-at-home orders across the country in March 2020, NCTA