Lifetime's Holiday Movie Stars Reflect on This Year's Inclusive Storylines
Yes, the festive season is here and, in 2020, the simple comfort and joy found in watching holiday programming will take on a whole new level of appreciation for many. This year, Lifetime's rollout of new holiday movies will represent "the most festive, inclusive, and diverse year yet," according to Amy Winter, the network's executive vice president and head of programming. During the network's 'It's a Wonderful Lifetime' press day, leading Lifetime cast members, writers, and producers expressed the pride they hold in being a part of this year's slate of holiday films, which reflect the
Cox and Connecticut Connect Students Through 'Everybody Learns'
In the wake of school closures provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic, a groundbreaking public-private partnership emerged to connect students in Connecticut. Across the state, thousands of students struggled to "learn from home" without a broadband connection. While internet service providers (ISPs) like Cox Communications had quickly kicked into action, both the public and private sectors knew that more needed to be done. By coming together, Cox and the state of Connecticut were able to leverage their collective expertise to get those students online in time for the Fall 2020 semester. Cox has a
How BET Wrote the Blueprint for Live Events in a Pandemic
For decades, the annual award shows hosted by TV network, BET, have marked an important moment to celebrate Black excellence and honor Black achievements. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, many in-person events large and small were cancelled or severely postponed. However, the BET team pressed on to find novel ways of celebrating black excellence – from the summer BET Awards to the Soul Train Awards that wrapped up the 2020 Thanksgiving weekend. BET has now produced three COVID-safe award shows. Innovative virtual solutions allowed the network to share its most anticipated events
Amid a Year of Uncertainty, Community is More Important Than Ever
As folks around the country prepare to celebrate a different kind of Thanksgiving, it’s important to take a moment and reflect on how this year has also brought people together amid the unknown. When COVID-19 began spreading in the United States and millions of people began working and learning from home, America’s broadband and entertainment leaders asked themselves what they could do to help their communities and neighbors. ISPs and TV networks connect with communities every day, and their involvement goes beyond the internet services and entertainment offerings they provide, whether it’s
Cox's Team in Louisiana Steps Up to Get Students Online
School shutdowns nationwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted millions of Americans, especially those children and families who lack high-speed internet connectivity in their homes. In states like Louisiana, the digital divide is significantly pronounced and difficult to remedy. Fortunately, Cox Communications stepped up to help in areas including New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette Parish with its Connect2Compete broadband adoption program. The internet service provider (ISP) had a strong, existing presence in those regions, having forged long-time partnerships with schools and
How the Cable Industry is Bridging the Digital Divide
As America continues to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, September’s announcement of the “K-12 Bridge to Broadband” initiative announced by NCTA and EducationSuperHighway (“ESH”) was a watershed moment in the national imperative to shrink the ‘homework gap’ that ESH estimates currently impacts an estimated 9.7 million students. The initiative establishes a public-private partnership model that is already starting to see major accomplishments and sets the groundwork for making a meaningful difference in helping millions of American students use home broadband service to facilitate distance
'Women in Technology' Award Winner Cox's Kim Keever Shares Her Career Journey in Cybersecurity
October is an exciting month in the cable industry. With the events surrounding Diversity Week, Cable-Tec Expo, and Cybersecurity Month, it's a great time to recognize the valuable contributions that exceptional cable employees make to the internet and television business, and their roles in mentoring and building the careers of aspiring leaders. Earlier this month at the Cable-Tec Expo, the industry paid tribute to the 2020 winner of the prestigious Women in Technology Award, presented jointly by WICT, SCTE•ISBE, and Cablefax. This year the award went to Kim Keever, who is the Senior Vice
Midco's Commitment to Connecting Students During the Pandemic
"Midco will do what it takes." These are the words that Rupak Gandhi, school superintendent in Fargo, N.D., said he heard Midco representatives repeat to him again and again when his district turned to the ISP for help this past spring. Back in March, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools across the country including in North Dakota, Gandhi's district faced the challenge of getting every student ready for remote instruction, with every decision dependent on students having an internet connection in their homes. The school district of Fargo is the second largest in North Dakota and
Television Brings Hispanic Stories and Culture to American Viewers
Since 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month – which officially concludes today – has marked a time to celebrate the enormous contributions that the Hispanic and Latinx community has made to the United States’ economy, society, and culture. This year, it’s particularly poignant to recognize the iconic TV shows and characters that have brought Latinx stories and culture to American viewers. An H Code survey of U.S. Hispanics found that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hispanic viewers have significantly increased the amount of TV they consume. In fact, 60% of U.S. Hispanics reported that they are
Leading by Example: TV Network Executives Say D&I Starts at the Top
During a Diversity Week virtual panel hosted by NAMIC, top executives from cable TV networks with successful diversity and inclusion (D&I) programs shared their thoughts on the current social justice climate, how they’re committing to building diverse and inclusive workforces, and where the industry needs to go from here. "At ViacomCBS, this work didn't start this year. It builds on a legacy of us working to build a more equitable company, but we are certainly broadening and deepening our work this year," said ViacomCBS President & CEO Bob Bakish. "We recognize our responsibility and we are