Discovery's Shark Week Evolves with New Technology and Jaw-some Views
It's Shark Week, a TV fan favorite and that time of year when viewers and shark seekers galore get to "dive in" with the great creatures that have fascinated people all over the world for centuries. Discovery's 31st edition of the production kicked off yesterday, and viewers are in for a wild ride as the evolving technology behind the annual phenomenon creates a more immersive experience every year. Last summer, NCTA had the pleasure to speak with Discovery about the 30th anniversary of Shark Week. This year, in an interview with NCTA, Discovery Senior Vice President of Production and
Cable Continues to Dominate with 325 Emmy Nominations
The 71st Primetime Emmy nominations were announced earlier this week, and cable programming sure made a statement as the industry came away with a staggering 325 nominations. Cable is the clear front runner, ahead of all streaming and broadcast programming, as it goes into this year's Emmy Awards Show which will air in September. HBO led all networks with the most nominations at 137, as Game of Thrones snagged a whopping 32 of those nominations for its final season, followed by Chernobyl (19) and Barry (17). HBO also came out on top as the major studio with the most nominations. Game of
What Live TV Viewing Habits Say About American Consumers
Today's TV viewers are a mixed bag when it comes to their preferences for watching live TV on their own or in a group, as well as when it comes to what factors influence their decisions to do so, according to a recent Morning Consult poll. With the explosion of digital devices, streaming, and apps, it's easier than ever to pull out a phone or tablet to keep up with the news during work breaks, to catch that big game during the train commute home as the action unfolds in real-time, or to see the latest episode of Pose in the airport lobby before a flight. As the digital era gains momentum, so
Women's World Cup Champs Won Audiences on TV and Online
This year's FIFA Women's World Cup final between the USA and the Netherlands was a thriller, and the USWNT players weren't the only ones walking away with a victory. The TV networks that aired all of the matches experienced viewership highs during the last game, and record-breaking numbers during each stage of the tournament. FOX reached over 14 million viewers and peaked at nearly 19 million during the final match this past Sunday hosted in France, even with the game airing during a holiday weekend and in a non-ideal early time slot due to the time zone difference. The game is now the most
Live TV Still Strong Among American Viewers
It's a pretty good time to be a TV viewer in today's rich and busy media and entertainment marketplace. TV has been completely redefined in every sense of the word. Cable programmers have invested over $430 billion over the past two decades to bring viewers the award-winning shows that they love, and there are more scripted programs today than there ever have been. Technology and fast broadband networks have granted people the flexibility to watch TV whenever, wherever, and however they want. This gives consumers a freedom and convenience that they didn't have before tablets or apps. But the
Smithsonian Channel Brings LGBTQ+ Experiences Out of the Archival Closet
As the cable industry celebrates Pride Month, it’s worth noting that this week marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots that shaped the LGBTQ+ movement as it is known today, starting from Christopher Street in New York City and spreading around the country. Stonewall, and the protests that followed, gave rise to the term “Pride,” the rainbow flag, and annual marches in New York City and around the United States. However, while the Stonewall Riots catalyzed change, the event was by no means the beginning of the LGBTQ+ movement. The team at Smithsonian Channel recognized this and set
On Screen Representation Matters Beyond Pride Month
Cable programming once again set a record this year for having the most LGBTQ+ characters on screen. According to the 2018-2019 GLAAD “Where We Are on TV” report, an impressive total of 208 LGBTQ+ characters were shown across the cable platform. Specifically, cable programming featured: 120 LGBTQ+ series regular characters – up from 103 last year; 88 recurring LGBTQ+ characters – up from 70 last year; and 95+ more LGBTQ+ characters than broadcast and streaming (which featured 113 and 112 characters respectively.) The report, which GLAAD has put out for the past 23 years running, sheds light on
How to Watch the Women's World Cup: Fox Sports and Telemundo Up Their Game in 2019
The FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off today in France, and network executives are hoping to draw in the largest viewership of the tournament in history. Four years ago, the USA Women's team defeated Japan in the final to win the tournament as 26 million fans tuned in. In fact, it became the most-watched soccer match in U.S. history, according to Nielsen. As Fox Sports and NBCUniversal’s Telemundo continue their exclusive coverage of the tournament this year—in their respective English and Spanish broadcasts—both networks have high expectations for even greater success this time around. Fox
Technology is Revolutionizing Everything About TV
Ten years ago, you had to choose between relaxing on the beach and catching the game back in the house. Today you can enjoy the sun without missing a minute of the action, thanks to new technology and streaming apps. But it’s not just about being able to take your entertainment with you (though that’s pretty groundbreaking); the television renaissance is starting to push the boundaries of the medium and challenge what we used to think TV could be. Once a sea of variety shows, sitcoms, and serial cop dramas, we now have interactive pick your own adventure style programs and shows that
NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell Testifies on the Exploding Video Marketplace
Tomorrow, NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell will testify before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on the state of the television and video marketplace. As Powell lays out in his testimony, the evolution of the video programming marketplace from an analog broadcast medium to today's digital and increasingly online space has created "a world of robust competition, constant innovation, and significant changes in consumer experiences and preferences." Along with this new world of competition and consumer choice have come changes in how video and content providers