Topic: Industry Trends & Impact

“Diarra From Detroit” Signals BET Studio’s Entrée to Scripted TV

BET Studios is debuting its first-ever scripted series “Diarra from Detroit,” marking a new creative pivot from the studio and network. After a freshly divorced schoolteacher, Diarra, goes on a Tinder date with the man of her dreams, his sudden disappearance sends her on an investigation that leads her through the Detroit underworld. From executive producers Diarra Kilpatrick (who also stars in the lead role) and Kenya Barris (“Black-ish”), the comedy-drama series is set to premiere on March 21 on BET+. The plot thickens: The show follows Diarra as she and her reluctant friends work to solve

TV Networks Are Spotlighting Black Culture and History

As February unfolds, so does the celebration of Black History Month—a time to reflect, honor, and amplify the stories and contributions of the Black community throughout history. Cable TV networks play a pivotal role in bringing these narratives to the forefront, offering a platform to showcase the richness, diversity, and resilience of the Black experience. Cable TV networks have been instrumental in ensuring that these narratives receive the attention they deserve, reaching a wide audience and fostering a greater understanding of the Black experience. Here are just a handful of networks that

Broadband Stats: Connecting Every American

Closing the digital divide is a complex task that goes far beyond extending broadband service. Cost and digital literacy are key to successful adoption and to making the most of a connection. For years, cable ISPs have offered low-cost broadband adoption programs available to families who qualify for free or reduced school lunches, as well as veterans, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. In addition to these programs, cable ISPs also often donate devices and offer digital literacy programs to help the previously unconnected take full advantage of their new connection.

New Research From Cox Shows How High-Speed Internet Sparks Rural Vitality

While 95% of Americans have multiple choices for home broadband service, nearly 10 million people who live in rural areas have yet to be connected. But thanks to an unprecedented boost of federal funding from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure legislation, the mission to connect every community is within reach. Cable providers are an integral part of this effort, with the aim of creating greater opportunities for economic and educational advancement through connectivity. Over the past year and a half, Cox Communications has expanded its fiber network to reach more than 50,000 households that

Highlights From Comcast’s 2023 Green Bond Report

The green bond gives investors the opportunity to support key Comcast carbon emissions reduction projects to make progress toward its carbon neutral goal. Advancing environmental sustainability requires action on many fronts. Comcast has acted in many ways, including setting a goal to be carbon neutral for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035 across its global operations. To help meet this goal, in February 2023, Comcast issued a $1 billion green bond that offered investors the opportunity to support environmental efforts that are currently underway or under consideration across the business – from

Celebrating 20 Years of TV One

TV One, known for its commitment to highlighting and showcasing the diversity of Black culture and entertainment, turns 20 years old today. Established on January 19, 2004, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, by Radio One (now Urban One), TV One was founded to provide a platform for stories and voices often underrepresented in mainstream television. Today, the network serves over 44 million households. Take a look at some of the network's defining moments. Early Hits In its early years, TV One introduced a variety of shows that became instant hits. Series like "Unsung" delved into the lives and

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X: National Geographic's Upcoming Docuseries

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaching, National Geographic is gearing up to release a new eight-part docuseries that delves into the complex lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The docudrama aims to examine not only the historical events that these two iconic figures inspired but the important people in their lives that helped shape their identities. The series hopes to pay homage to the legacies of both men and their family members and to serve as a timely reminder of the ongoing relevance of their contributions to the fight against racial inequality. Divergent Paths As the

Voluntary Agreements Result in Ongoing Positive Impact

Across the industry, key players have created impact at scale by joining forces to reduce the environmental impact of small equipment used by customers such as modems, routers, and set-top boxes. Through "voluntary agreements," manufacturers, service providers, and energy advocates work toward ongoing improvements of set-top boxes (STB) and small network equipment (SNE), with a focus on decreasing environmental impact while continuing to drive speed and innovation. The group effort is showing positive results. Under the STB Voluntary Agreement, national STB annual energy consumption has been

Broadband Stats: The Broadband Economy

By providing an essential infrastructure that keeps Americans connected, the U.S. cable industry is a powerful economic engine. Billions of dollars annually are invested to improve the reliability, speed, and capacity of networks.