Archive for June, 2008

There have been quite a few announcements in recent months about cable’s progress towards deploying tru2way, but unfortunately, there continues to be some confusion in the blogosphere about the future of CableCARDs and exactly how tru2way devices will work.

Just met with Robert Scoble of fast company.tv . . . fun to meet with one of the leading bloggers in the tech sphere, and we both agreed that more conversations between those of us who do Washington policy work and those who do (and write about) technology should take place.  We covered the usual suspects .

Recently, I mentioned the PointSmart.ClickSafe. Summit, which took place in Washington, D.C.  Here is some more information about what took place. Joe Laramie, from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, spoke at the Summit, appearing on a panel entitled “Children’s Online Safety in Context: The Health/Prevention Science View.” In this interview, he speaks about the best ways to address cyberbullying.

On Friday morning, Tom Tauke took to Verizon’s blog to post thoughts on the rumored FCC decision reversing the bureau’s suggested dismissal of cable’s complaint about the telco’s “retention marketing”.  NCTA President Kyle McSlarrow drafted a response here and on Verizon’s blog.  The back and forth went on late into the night with Kyle posting his final word after 8pm.

[Ed. Note: This is in response to a post on Verizon's Policy Blog, by Tom Tauke.] Tom, I have great respect for you but your blog this morning was a little over the top.

Purchase an official Battle of the Bands Charity Fundraiser t-shirt to continue supporting CableCares efforts in New Orleans. Each t-shirt is only $25 and we will ship it to you for free.

The final tally is in. CableCares with your help managed to bring in over $900,000. Money that was used to help out the city of New Orleans.

We’re still about a week away from the summer solstice, but it sure feels like summer already. The massive heatwave in Washington, D.C. this week helped set the tone, but the available programming on broadcast television also contributes.

Several years ago, the cable industry launched the “Take Control. It’s Easy.” campaign in order to educate the public about TV parental controls. We operated in the belief that the best way to address concerns about what kids watch on TV was to educate and empower parents and caregivers to make decisions about what and when kids watch television.

NCTA President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow will participate in a National Press Club “Newsmaker” Media Briefing today at noon (ET). In his address, entitled “Cable’s Broadband Platform: Innovation for the Consumer,” he is expected to challenge the notion that there is a rivalry between innovation taking place at the edge of or in the network.

As Time Warner cable this week begins their trial of tiered Internet pricing in Beaumont Texas, the blogs are aflutter over the various caps Time Warner has proposed.  Time Warner’s plans start with caps at 5 gigabytes and go up to 40 gigabytes.

Update: Thank you to all that filled out the Cable Show ’08 Delegate Survey. We appreciate your input and look forward to seeing you next year in DC at Cable Show ’09.

From The Times-Picayune: The Cable Show may have been last burst of tourism, as hurricane season starts. 3 Minute Ad Age reviewed the show a week ago.