| April 9, 2009 | News for the cable and broadband industry |
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- Digital gains push Shaw quarterly revenue 10% higher
Shaw Communications added nearly 4,300 basic-cable subscribers and 106,489 digital customers in its fiscal second quarter. The firm also tacked on 26,130 Internet subscribers and 50,848 phone customers, all of which led to a 10% increase in consolidated service revenue during the period. OneTRAK
(4/8), Cartt News Service (subscription only)
(4/8)      
- Bright House adds to Tampa's international flair
Television in the Tampa, Fla., area just got a whole lot more multicultural. Thanks to a new agreement with Comcast-owned International Media Distribution, Bright House Networks has added 10 premium channels in and around the Florida city that include programming in Asian, European and Middle Eastern languages. Multichannel News
(4/8)
| Programming News | | |
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- AMC strategy ties original programming to acquired films
Part of AMC's programming magic over the past few years, according to network chief Charlie Collier, has been to partner edgy original shows with feature films that present a related theme. "When 'Mad Men' debuted, we led into it with 'Goodfellas,'" he said. "The notion was that you'd take this iconic Martin Scorsese piece about a group of guys who thought they could play without rules, and it led to an iconic television program about a group of men who again thought rules did not apply." The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)
(4/8)
- Despite a Democratic D.C., Fox News still shines
Despite the Democratic power shift in the nation's capital, Fox News attracted 2.25 million viewers to its right-leaning prime-time coverage in the first quarter, a 24% increase from the comparable period in 2008, according to Nielsen. The News Corp.-owned network stayed on message beyond prime time as well: All-day viewing was up 26% in the first three months of the year. Reuters
(4/8)
| Eye on Video | | |
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- CableLabs begins investigation of 3-D TV technologies
CableLabs has issued a request for information to more than 10 companies that manufacture equipment related to 3-D television so that it can produce a report on the technology for its members, according to David Broberg, vice president of consumer video technology at CableLabs. He went on to say that the report aims to give cable providers "experience in the space, and understand what the consumer response is going to be -- and whether there's a business for it." Multichannel News
(4/8)
- FCC wants more information on video competition
The FCC has issued a notice of inquiry for additional information on the current market for delivery of video programming. The commission is trying to update Congress on the latest developments in the area, including how the DTV transition will affect competition and the effect of fledgling video services, such as Verizon's FiOS and AT&T's U-verse. Television Business Report
(4/8)
| Marketing Trends | | |
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- WGN America gets new look, sound
Tribune Co.'s WGN America is undergoing a major rebranding this month. The changes will include a new logo, which will have a retro TV feel, and the addition of a "sonic logo," a five-note piece of music that viewers, theoretically, will associate with the network. Broadcasting & Cable
(4/8)
- Twitter, Facebook added to Turner's NBA playoff promo
Turner Sports on April 18 will kick off its "40 Games in 40 Nights" promotional campaign in support of TNT's coverage of the NBA playoffs. As part of the fun this year, on-air hosts and analysts will provide their insights via Twitter messages, which will appear on TNT's Facebook page as well as NBA.com. Adweek
(4/8)
| Advanced Products | | |
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- FCC begins 10-month broadband study
With more than $7 billion from the economic-stimulus package in the offing, the FCC this week kicked off a 10-month study on how best to expand broadband Internet access to underserved and unserved areas of the country. The FCC in February of 2010 must issue a final report on the matter to Congress. Reuters
(4/8), The Washington Post
(4/9)
| Association News | | |
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CTAM is going green
A pine tree produces 80,500 sheets of paper. The 2009 CTAM Membership Directory will help save a few trees. With search-and-find capability, you can print what you want, when you want it. Join CTAM today to be listed. Current members can go to www.ctam.com to update their listing. Sponsored by Discovery Communications.
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What is tru2way?
It's the gateway to interactive content. Tru2way establishes a common platform that enables cable companies, programmers, consumer-electronics companies and others to extend interactivity to television and other devices. Tru2way allows devices to connect to cable without a set-top box, giving consumers more control. Learn more in the tru2way guide.
| People & Personalities | | |
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- Ovation TV hires Janneman to head up ad sales
Cable-industry veteran Liz Janneman has been named senior vice president of advertising sales at Ovation TV. Janneman, who most recently was president of advertising sales at Current TV, has had career stops at The Weather Channel, AOL Time Warner, Turner Entertainment and CNN. TVWeek.com
(4/8)
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