Broadcasting & Cable News

COVID-19 Impact Driving Business Hours Broadband Consumption Up >41%

March 22, 2020

Hoboken, NJ; March 19, 2020 – Business hours broadband consumption has risen by more than 41% and overall usage in March is on track to outpace the previous monthly record as the country adjusts to life with the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to OpenVault, a leading provider of technology ...

More Companies Take FCC Connectivity Pledge

March 22, 2020

Among all the frightening coronavirus-related numbers was an encouraging figure Thursday. The FCC said 205 more broadband and phone providers have taken FCC chairman Ajit Pai's Keep America Connected pledge. That brings the total to 390 companies that have promised: 1) not to terminate residential ...

'Dr. Oz' Suspends Production After Staffer Tests Positive for Coronavirus

March 22, 2020

Sony Pictures Television has suspended taping on The Dr. Oz Show after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday. The show will remain in originals with pre-taped episodes with host and cardiologist Dr. Mehmet Oz providing new opening segments each day from a studio set up ...

PPI Releasing Expands Weekly Syndicated Sports Block to Three Hours

March 22, 2020

Venice Beach, Calif.-based PPI Releasing is expanding its Syndie Sports Network (SSN) from one-and-a-half to three hours a week in an attempt to help stations fill the time left by the cancellations due to coronavirus of live national sports, such as the National Basketball Association, ...

Meredith Stations Develop COVID-19 Emergency Plan

March 22, 2020

Meredith Corp.'s Local Media Group said it has prepared contingency plans that should enable it to continue to keep viewers informed during the coronavirus crisis. The company said all of its 17 stations remain open and operational at this point, but it has created remote hubs in Phoenix and ...

NAB's Smith: Broadcasters Want No Service Interruptions During Pandemic

March 22, 2020

NAB president Gordon Smith said broadcasters don't want to see any retransmission consent service disruptions during the coronavirus pandemic. FCC chairman Ajit Pai has called for a retransmission consent quiet period to avoid TV station signals going off MVPDs. Smith, who was being ...

COVID-19: The Story of a Lifetime

March 22, 2020

Big news stories can dominate the entire news cycle for weeks, months, even years. But very few are as earth shaking as the recent coronavirus outbreak, which is dominating the news cycle and changing the way news organizations work. “We’ve never had to cover as large a global story as the spread ...

Disney Offers Pixar’s ‘Onward’ Early for Digital Sale

March 22, 2020

The Walt Disney Co. said it is making Onward, the latest Pixar film, available early on digital platforms as the Coronavirus crisis keeps people out of theaters. The movie can be bought digitally and on Movies Everywhere on Friday starting at 5 p.m. ET for $19.95. The Disney+ subscription ...

Viamedia Following Plan to Operate During Crisis

March 22, 2020

Long before anyone heard of the coronavirus, Viamedia had an extensive and detailed emergency plan. So when the disease caused a crisis and forced companies to have employees work from home, the company which handles advertising sales for 60 small to mid-sized operators in 30 states, was as ready ...