| April 10, 2012 | News for the cable and broadband industry |
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- Smaller cable nets see viewership grow, but top 25 are down overall
Cable networks that ranked outside the top 25 from September to January increased their overall audience by 2%, while the top 25 saw their viewership slide 3% overall, RPA has found. Some top cable networks did manage to increase their audiences, however, such as Food Network, which improved 17%; Adult Swim and Discovery, both of which improved 12%; and Cartoon Network, which improved 7%. Among those that saw audiences shrink were Nick at Nite, which was off 29%; ION, which declined 15%; and TNT, which decreased 13%. MediaPost Communications/MediaDailyNews
(4/9)      
- Small cable operators can't afford high cost of encryption, ACA says
The Federal Communications Commission's plan for encrypting basic cable service is too costly for half of American Cable Association members who have switched to digital or plan to make the change, according to a survey commissioned by the group. The ACA wants the FCC to allow small cable providers to meet the encryption mandate by using cheaper integrated boxes, which mesh security and surfing tools. The agency has prohibited the deployment of such boxes in an effort to stimulate demand for set-top boxes, but the ACA argues that their use by its membership would not negatively affect the market for set-tops. Multichannel News
(4/9)
- Charter to sell S.C. system to Hargray
Charter Communications plans to sell a cable system covering 7,000 customers in Beaufort County, S.C., to Hargray Communications. The sale, as long as closing conditions are satisfied, should be finalized by June 30. The terms of the deal were not listed in this article. CEDMagazine.com
(4/9)
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- Original content will be in focus at Investigation Discovery
Investigation Discovery's upcoming schedule of 12 new shows and 22 returning series will represent its biggest commitment to original content to date. New original programming will include "Evil Twins," about cases involving siblings; "Redrum," which focuses on murder cases starting at the crime and moving backward; and "Wives with Knives," about women who become criminals. Specials include Werner Herzog's "Into the Abyss: A Tale of Life, A Tale of Death," and a program with the working title "Nightmare Christmas," about crimes committed during the holiday season. World Screen News/TV Real
(4/9)
| Eye on Video | | |
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- More viewers try streaming, but some find choices lacking
Although 1 in 3 Americans have streamed movies or TV shows, some viewers say they are unlikely to give up their pay-TV subscriptions because the content choices are too limited. Streaming companies "just do not have the selection like the cable companies do yet," said Comcast subscriber Larry R. Haynes of Grand Rapids, Mich. Pay-TV providers are using their own on-demand content to counter the trend. USA TODAY
(4/10)
| Marketing Trends | | |
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- Epix thinks big with promos for Marvel Heroes Weekend
Epix is using its first nationwide branding effort to promote its April 27 to 29 Marvel Heroes Weekend, which is being offered as a free preview of the channel to affiliate partner subscribers. The event, which is the subject of ads on broadcast and cable networks, will feature the U.S. TV debut of "Captain America: The First Avenger," as well as airings of "Iron Man 2" and "Thor." Multichannel News
(4/9)
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Ready, set, action
Join CTAM at noon Eastern time April 17 for the "Transactional and Subscription Movie Services" webcast. This webcast will explore the current movie landscape and how the streaming of subscription movie services such as VUDU, Amazon Prime and Netflix affects consumers' behavior. Register now for this members-only, free webcast.
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Judgment day for marketing pros?
The Mark Awards entries are judged by cable's finest marketing professionals. You can help decide who went above the mark. CTAM's first round of judging is May 30 and 31 at National Harbor, Md., and June 6 and 7 at Fox Networks in Los Angeles. For more information about judging or the competition, visit Mark Awards or contact Denise Motlagh.
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