The Broadband Mapping After Scrutiny (MAPS) Act has been introduced in the House, with the aim of creating a process to evaluate mobile broadband service coverage. The bill would make it easier for local authorities to verify broadband service, especially in typically underserved rural areas.

The race to create satellite constellations for broadband networks is still in its infancy and dominated by major players like SpaceX and Amazon, but the high cost and complexity of the technology and its delivery could discourage smaller players from getting in the race. "The challenge in monetizing is being able to get through those first few years, where you have to put in all your capital expenses, but not being able to get enough revenues to keep you afloat," said Northern Sky Research's Shagun Sachdeva.

The House has approved legislation to expand broadband service to rural areas and streamline access to resources, including federal assistance, for local communities and businesses. The bipartisan bill must still be approved by the Senate.

AT&T has launched an experimental DIRECTV app on Magic Leap, attempting to assist the company in which it's an investor. The app lets users watch as many as four live streams at once with a mixed-reality headset that detects audio from each screen as well as projecting virtual TV screens.

Apple's latest series of software upgrades for its tvOS platform includes a revised app for Apple TV, an enhancement of its Channels subscription service and direct iTunes access from the app, as well as AirPlay 2 and Apple TV support for Samsung's smart TV sets. Channels now provides an integrated method of subscribing to premium services, and the Apple TV app features a revised interface.

A deal between Disney and Comcast will immediately pass full control of Hulu operations over to Disney and give Comcast the option to hand over its remaining 33% stake in the streaming service in 2024. Disney will pay for content from Hulu until that date, and will do so at a higher rate for NBC channels.

Amazon Prime Video has joined a series of streaming services on Cox Communications' Contour TV, allowing cable and Amazon subscribers access to Prime shows and movies from their set-top boxes, Cox announced. The service came to Comcast's Xfinity X1 in late 2018, while Contour also offers iHeart Radio, Netflix and YouTube among its streaming services.

Connected TV is changing the buying landscape at upfronts, and Beth-Ann Eason notes the challenges marketers face. She details how customer data from CTV devices offers benefits over mere reach, the connected experience differs from traditional linear TV, and ad fatigue is drawing out alternatives such as targeting and shoppable ads.