Microsoft will leverage its wireless Airband initiative to help the Veterans Affairs agency bring broadband service to former military personnel in rural areas.
The ease of signing up for -- and leaving -- subscription-based video streaming services means that audiences frequently leave services once they've consumed the content that attracted them in the first place. Some streaming platforms are adding benefits like free music service or cable memberships in response, while others are using creative marketing strategies to keep audiences engaged.
French company Vivendi SA is reportedly in talks with a number of companies -- China's Tencent Holdings among them -- as it tries to arrange a partial sale of Universal Music, which it has valued between $28 billion and $33 billion. Vivendi said last year that it would try to unload up to 50% of Universal, but investors have been put off by the deal's pricing and pace.
The National Association of Broadcasters, in partnership with the Radio Advertising Bureau, has announced changes to the 2019 Radio Show that include bigger sessions and more focus on socialization. The Pillsbury Session, which concentrates on economic and financial topics, has moved from morning to evening, and Commanding Voices, formerly the Advertising Breakfast, will concentrate on revenue growth.
The Federal Communications Commission has announced that it will begin accepting applications from stations wishing to broadcast using the next-gen TV standard as of May 28. The process, which the FCC has simplified, involves only one step.
MSNBC has only hosted a single town hall event this election cycle -- with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. -- compared to Fox's three and CNN's 21. Executive Rashida Jones says the network is prioritizing strategy over volume, and that town halls don't suit every candidate.
Hulu will likely try to complement owner Disney's new streaming service by adding original content that skews older and is edgier than that on Disney+, industry executives suggest, noting that the subscription VOD service will enjoy a larger budget and a single owner. FX also expects to work closely with its new corporate sibling, with network head John Landgraf expressing excitement about the possibility.
Showtime will debut "The L Word: Generation Q," the eight-episode sequel to the premium channel's popular series, in the fall, the network said. The original stars from the 2004-2009 series, Leisha Hailey, Jennifer Beals and Katherine Moennig, will reprise their roles alongside a new cast of LGBTQIA characters.
Officials with the National Football League have announced changes to rules governing television broadcasts of NFL games, including eliminating the single-header rule -- a move that means all markets will get three televised Sunday games during the regular season. Other changes include delaying kickoff in divisional playoff games and reducing the number of commercial breaks during the Super Bowl.
The fact that ABC's "The View" has never tried to be a show about politics is making it an increasingly popular stop for politicians -- including 13 of the current batch of 26 presidential hopefuls, writes Amanda Fitzsimons. The hosts' authenticity and willingness to discuss their personal lives, current events and everything in between gives politicians the opportunity to reach a broader audience than they have on shows more focused on politics, Fitzsimons adds.