Elevating Black Voices During Black History Month and Beyond
Black History Month is celebrated in February, but the cable industry supports initiatives that are focused on social justice for the Black community all year long. As the country continues to undergo a reckoning on race and inequality, especially in the aftermath of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, cable operators and TV programmers are stepping up their efforts to support the Black community, to combat racism, and to create a more just and equitable society. Last June, Comcast NBCUniversal pledged $100 million towards a multiyear program to fight injustice and
Esports, Already Growing, Enters A New Era
Long before the SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged, esports and online gaming were the budding markets many looked to with excitement. Would streaming gameplay REALLY rival conventional sports like football and baseball? Experts projected that by 2021, the esports audience would grow to 84 million Americans, making it the second most popular sport by viewership after the NFL. Esports had (and has) grown to be such a cultural force that internet service providers (ISPs) like Comcast and Cox sponsor teams around the country, not to mention TV networks like Turner getting in on the action. And in the case
How Broadband Networks Enable Telehealth for Patients and Providers
In 2020, millions of Americans adjusted to video conferencing for work, school, socialization and more. But what about for healthcare? Yes, video-visits with doctors peaked in popularity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, nearly 1 in 5 U.S. households still reported that they had at least one member who was unable to get care or was forced to delay care for a serious condition. It should be no surprise, then, that telehealth solutions are gaining traction — and not just for the healthcare industry, but for technologists, developers and broadband providers as well. In fact
New Pipeline Program Aims to Diversify the Industry's Legal Sector
Earlier this month, the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) launched the inaugural Diversity Pipeline Program, which is designed to support the recruitment and development of diverse law students interested in pursuing careers in technology, media, and telecommunications law and policy. As an anchor employer participant in the program, NCTA takes pride in the active role that the cable industry plays in promoting diversity in the workforce and in the leadership ranks. This new program, which focuses on the legal sector of the industry, is another step forward towards achieving a more
Discovery’s Virtual Field Trip to the Inauguration
Over the past year, countless in-person events have re-imagined themselves as virtual experiences. From the BET Awards to ESPN’s Virtual Draft to one of the largest technology trade shows, there have been countless great examples of how organizers adjust to make the most of an unusual circumstance. And while this year’s Presidential Inauguration might be different from years past, it also provides a new opportunity for Americans to experience and share in the solemn tradition. That’s why Discovery Inc. and Discovery Education together have launched I Do Solemnly Swear: The U.S. Presidential
Advancing Diversity and Racial Equality Remains a Priority for the Cable Industry
On Monday, the cable industry will join millions of Americans in honoring the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. The holiday is a time to celebrate and pay tribute to the minister and activist whose leadership resulted in great strides for civil rights in this country. But as the United States continues to go through a reckoning with racial injustice, this is also an important time to remember that tremendous work remains to be done to ensure that social justice and racial equity are achieved. The cable industry recognizes that its enormous reach and influence in American households can
How Connected Technology is Keeping the Music Industry Churning
This past November, pop star Dua Lipa performed a virtual concert and broke a new record for paid livestreams with over 5 million views. Instead of packing into a concert hall or stadium, fans used their home internet connections to see Lipa perform live. At this week's all-digital CES in an iHeartMedia session, Lipa talked with on air host and TV personality Ryan Seacrest about how the COVID-19 pandemic forced her, and artists around the world, to think outside the box and to use connected technology to engage with fans. While tours and in-person concerts grinded to a halt, artists turned
Cable Broadband Networks Continue to Outperform
The cable industry has been at the forefront of reporting how well its broadband networks have performed in delivering and accommodating the unprecedented surges in traffic that occurred when COVID-19 closed down businesses and schools, and as working, learning, and healthcare all shifted to residential networks instantaneously. Other reports from SamKnows and Ookla (speedtest.net) also document how well broadband networks have performed during the coronavirus pandemic. Another more recent data point arrived with the new year with the release of the latest FCC Measuring Broadband America (MBA)
What Broadband Connectivity Did for Americans in 2020
The end of the year often brings reflections, and looking back, everyone can agree that 2020 was a year like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic brought not only health struggles, but also financial and economic hardship. It was also a year that saw more people turn to technology and the internet than ever before to continue some sort of semblance of their lives. Remote work, distance learning, telehealth, streaming, and live video chats took off. The cable industry came together early on to use its services, reach, and influence to help connect as many Americans to the internet as possible. In
2020 Changed How We Make TV
The past year has forced many Americans to upend their daily routines, making what were once simple tasks much more complicated than before. That also holds true for TV production, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced many shows to pause production indefinitely starting in March. Since then, America’s TV industry has been working on a myriad of solutions to safely get back to filming. While each project took a different approach, there are a few areas of overlap. For instance, many studios have hired “COVID Compliance Officers” who are tasked with ensuring every safety precaution is taken, and that