AMC Networks suffered more modest losses than analysts had expected for the quarter ending June 30, as executives attributed declines in revenue and net income to the pandemic. Leader Josh Sapan offered upbeat assessments, saying production on popular series will resume soon and streaming services showed subscriber and revenue growth.

Comcast executives told analysts that they want streaming growth to match that of broadband, which gained 323,000 subscribers in the second quarter. Universal's film unit will play a major part in the approach, as the unit has just shortened the time it takes films to become available on demand.

Tower Semiconductor brought out a radio-frequency switch process technology that the foundry can use in making 5G chips and high-performance RF switches. The company plans to offer multi-project wafer runs to select customers next year.

Marketing executives believe a Microsoft TikTok purchase would bring stability and credibility to the ad platform and, in the meantime, are scrambling to obtain status of current campaigns and examine other social media outlets, writes Garett Sloane. Brands such as Chipotle are contemplating TikTok rivals such as Triller, while creators are looking toward YouTube and Instagram and marketers such as American Eagle and Netflix continue with planned activations.

Eta Compute brought out a compiler for its ECM3532 ultra-low-power artificial intelligence/internet of things chip, introduced in February. It also provides the Tensai Sensor Board, an evaluation board for using the ECM3532 for applications in accelerometers, embedded microphones, temperature and pressure sensors, gyroscopes and smart sensors, using Bluetooth connectivity.

Fewer people tuned into linear TV in the second quarter but those that did watched for longer periods of time, Samba TV reported in tracking 27 networks from its connected TV software. News networks drew the most loyalty, especially among Black viewers, but viewers also spent significantly more time at Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.

Discovery will soon announce it will launch an over-the-top service that will feature the company's entire set of brands and characters, CEO David Zaslav told analysts, adding that more details will come shortly. He said it remained uncertain if the streaming service would be ad-supported but promised to provide "large, fresh content."

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SCTE•ISBE Cable-Tec Expo® Virtual Edition is coming in October, but there's plenty of SCTE•ISBE learning on tap between now and then. We've carved out the three Mondays after Labor Day to launch boot camps on architectures that will be essential to the deployment of 10G. Get ready for 10G with the "Distributed Access Architectures" bootcamp Sept. 14, the "DOCSIS® of Today and Tomorrow" bootcamp Sept. 21 and the "Sharpening the Fiber Skills for FTTH" bootcamp Sept. 28. Special pricing for SCTE•ISBE members. Register today!

The 10G platform is coming and SCTE•ISBE is leading the way in making sure the technical workforce has the knowledge and skills needed when it arrives. We've carved out the three Mondays after Labor Day to launch boot camps on architectures that will be essential to the deployment of 10G. Join us for the "Distributed Access Architectures" bootcamp Sept. 14, the "DOCSIS® of Today and Tomorrow" bootcamp Sept. 21 and the "Sharpening the Fiber Skills for FTTH" bootcamp Sept. 28. Special pricing for SCTE•ISBE members. Register today!