The Consistent Success of LGBTQ Inclusive Shows
June is LGBTQ pride month, a time to celebrate and reflect on progress made for LGBTQ people and a time to take a look at where things could be better. Over the last 25 years, GLAAD, a nonprofit that advocates for better LGBTQ representation in the entertainment world, has tracked the number of LGBTQ characters on TV. In that time, the amount of representation on screen has expanded far beyond those first years. That progress of getting LGBTQ characters on screen is an important step, but only the first one in creating a space for authentic queer stories. GLAAD has issued challenges to the TV
C-SPAN Has an Eye on the Future
For over 40 years, C-SPAN has brought the halls of Congress into American living rooms without interruption or commentary. From its launch in 1979 to today, the network has stood out among its peers for the unique way it operates and approaches news coverage. After a year of a global pandemic and a historic election, the network, like so many other teams, are looking to the future through a new lens. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, C-SPAN crews were already tirelessly covering the election from candidacy announcements to the first primaries at the start of the year. So when social distancing
Documentaries Shine a Light on a Century of Injustice
This week marks 100 years since the violent destruction of the Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the murder of hundreds of Black Tulsans during a two-day massacre that would go largely unaddressed by government officials and overlooked in history lessons. The mass lynching and its aftermath are the subject of National Geographic Documentary Films’ upcoming documentary, “Rise Again: Tulsa and The Red Summer,” which premieres on June 18th to coincide with Juneteenth. National Geographic Documentary Films teamed up with acclaimed director Dawn Porter to make “Rise Again” which
ViacomCBS Special Addresses Racism Against AAPI Community and Calls for Change
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI), and with the tragic rise in hate crimes against this community over the past year of the pandemic, it is more important than ever for media, television, and Hollywood to find ways to not only honor and celebrate their contributions, but to educate audiences about the discrimination and challenges that many of them undergo. To help with these efforts, ViacomCBS joined forces this month with the Asian American Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation to raise awareness about acts of racism against Asian
HBO's Reboot of 'In Treatment' Tackles Mental Health Stigmas
With Mental Health Awareness Month now underway, the reboot of HBO's "In Treatment," a drama series that shines a spotlight on mental health issues, could not come at a better time. Produced a decade after the season three finale, season four was reimagined with a whole new cast and updated to reflect the mental health challenges of today, including issues that people, particularly people of color, are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. "As we approached reimagining the show, we wanted to make sure that our priorities were to honor the original American version, but also make sure that we
Fargo’s On-Location Filming Brings Jobs, Tourism to Illinois
Before a TV show starts filming, a lot of big decisions have to be made. Chief among them, where will production take place? Sometimes, an elaborate set is built (that sometimes can be a holodeck). Other times a location scout works to find an already built environment to use as a backdrop. On-location projects come with perks that are absent with a set: authenticity, scale, and often times support from local government offices. These projects also bring significant economic stimulus to an area by employing local crews and talent. The effects on the community can often go far beyond those
NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell Talks Infrastructure and More on C-SPAN
NCTA President and CEO Michael Powell is the featured guest this week on C-SPAN’s The Communicators, where much of the discussion focused on the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan, specifically its broadband provisions. While the full 30-minute interview is available here, we used C-SPAN’s video clipping tool to develop several soundbites on the key issues that were covered. Those topics include: Importance of targeted funding, How to future proof new networks, The success of direct consumer subsidies, and Warning against rate regulation. Powell also talked about other topics ranging
Discovery's Documentary on Pope Francis Issues a Call to Action to all Humanity
When the world's leader of the Catholic Church grants filmmakers unprecedented access to his life, it's a pretty big deal. This week, viewers are getting the opportunity to learn more about Pope Francis and the issues that matter most to him through Discovery's documentary, "Francesco." Released on Discovery+ at the start of Holy Week and just in time for Easter Sunday, "Francesco" is the first of a whole new slate of original programming by the streaming service—which launched in January—and represents the network's new investment towards premium documentaries. At the Television Critics
Nielsen Data Shows that People Working From Home Are Watching "The Office"
The COVID-19 pandemic has reached its one-year mark across much of the globe. In a year marked by a constant deluge of bad news, political polarization, and pervasive uncertainty, TV and video entertainment provided Americans with a much needed escape. New data from Nielsen calls attention to the importance of TV as a means for Americans to sustain themselves and their sense of community during the COVID-19 pandemic. While certain new releases, like “The Mandalorian” on Disney+, saw spikes during the stay home period, Nielsen data indicates that most viewers sought the comfort of old, familiar
Turner Reimagines March Madness Live to Meet Fans Where They Are
After last year’s disappointing March Madness cancellation due to COVID-19, the tournament is back for 2021 and fans are getting ready for the Sweet 16. Viewers have also been on the receiving end of a whole new entertainment experience this year. Turner and CBS are providing live coverage of all 67 games from the tournament across TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV. But in addition, March Madness Live (MML)—the NCAA tournament app produced jointly by Turner and CBS—is sporting a new look and design to encourage more interactivity and engagement with viewers. Notably, MML is now available on a record 18