TCA NEWSLETTER
Latest industry news in Texas and around the country.
| | CABLE'S GIVING PLEDGE TO HELP ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS TEXAS | |  | A MUCH NEEDED SURPRISE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON | | | VIGILANCE DURING HOLIDAY ONLINE SHOPPING | |
Charitable giving is in Americans’ DNA, especially during December when 30% of annual giving occurs. During GivingTuesday 2022 (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) alone, 37 million Americans raised $3.1 billion for causes and nonprofits nationwide, a 15% increase compared to GivingTuesday 2021 and a 25% increase since 2020.
Corporate philanthropy also is on the rise, with more than $21 billion given in 2021, up 23.8%. Giving back is strongly rooted in the mission of cable companies, which have a strong track record of financial, in-kind giving and volunteering throughout the calendar year, including helping numerous Texas nonprofits and organizations.
| | A MUCH NEEDED SURPRISE EMPOWERS HOUSTONIANS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON | |
Cold wet skies hovered over St. John’s Bread of Life on Saturday morning as hundreds of people waited in their cars for a food distribution, just days before Thanksgiving.
Inside the warm sanctuary, a group of families gathered to receive a much-needed surprise – new laptops. The devices are meant to empower families with opportunity by expanding access to the Internet.
“When I received a computer, I was kind of shocked. I was like I’m really the winner,” mother Elijah said. “I can be able to give it to my daughter so she can do her school work.”
| | SPARKLIGHT: INCREASE VIGILANCE DURING ONLINE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON | |
With online sales expected to reach $236 billion this holiday season, an increase of more than 15.5% over the same period last year, this significant increase in online holiday sales is good news for retailers but it may also present increased opportunities for cybercriminals. Sparklight, part of the Cable One family, encourages all consumers to be vigilant about their online safety when cybershopping this year.
“Given the pervasiveness of cybercrime, it’s always very important to be cautious when sharing any personal data online,” said Ken Johnson, senior vice president of technology services. “However, with the expected significant increase in holiday purchases made via websites, apps and social media platforms this year, it’s more important than ever that shoppers use caution online during this holiday season.”
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CABLE CONTINUES TO CONNECT
In cities and towns across Texas, local cable operators and their employees make their communities a better place to live. Cable companies not only make financial and in-kind donations to numerous civic and charitable organizations, but employees volunteer thousands of hours of their time each year. Check out the latest cable industry community initiatives below.
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Optimum to extend services to Brownfield, Hereford and Seminole through 100% fiber network build
Optimum on Dec. 6 announced it is extending its services to Brownfield, Hereford and Seminole, Texas, with construction of its 100% Fiber Internet Network already underway in the three areas. The company expects to reach 15,900 homes and businesses across the three cities, with initial services becoming available in early 2023 and the builds to be complete later that year. Read more.
Altice USA and Optimum announce additional $1 million commitment to fund thousands of classroom projects across the country
Altice USA and Optimum recently announced an additional commitment of $1 million through its partnership with national education nonprofit DonorsChoose to distribute funds to classroom projects in local schools across Optimum’s 21-state footprint, including Texas, throughout the 2022-2023 school year. With this announcement, the company’s to-date commitment and contribution towards DonorsChoose classroom projects jumps to $2.8 million since the partnership was first announced in 2020. Read more.
Optimum’s retail presence grows in Texas
Optimum, the local provider of internet, mobile, TV and phone services, in November announced the opening of new retail stores in College Station, Paris, Sulphur Springs, Terrell, Optimum now operates 23 retail stores in the state.
Optimum launches 100% fiber internet network in Kaufman, Texas
Optimum, the local provider of internet, television, phone and mobile services, recently announced it has upgraded its local network in Kaufman, Texas, to full-fiber technology. As a result of the company's investment, Optimum's 100% Fiber Internet Network is now available to local residents and businesses in Kaufman. Read more.
AXS TV partners with Spectrum for ‘AXS TV’s band together for music education’
Spectrum has joined forces with AXS TV to launch “AXS TV’s Band Together For Music Education” – a new initiative connecting AXS TV with affiliates, local communities and schools to support vital music education programs and the benefits they provide for students. The initiative will launch in December in five markets across five states, including Texas. As part of the initiative, Spectrum and AXS TV on Dec. 8 presented a $10,000 check to Dr. Billy E. Dade Middle School in Dallas to help the school further its musical education programs. Read more.
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Trusted Comcast Texas tech experts coming to Houston’s historically under-resourced neighborhoods to help shrink the digital divide
Trusted tech experts, or digital navigators, will soon be dispatched to help shrink the digital divide in four of Houston’s historically under-resourced neighborhoods: Acres Homes, Kashmere Gardens, Magnolia Park-Manchester and Sunnyside. Their mission will be to give free one-on-one support to hundreds who want to get online and make the most it. The digital navigators pilot program is a partnership between Comcast Texas, the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities and SERJobs. The $150,000 pilot program started Nov. 18, 2022 and will last for 18 months. Read more.
Comcast RISE reaches program’s goal of supporting 13,000 small businesses hard hit by COVID-19
Comcast Corporation recently announced that Comcast RISE, an initiative created in 2020 to help strengthen and empower small businesses hard hit by COVID-19, has met its goal of supporting 13,000 small businesses nationwide by the program’s close at the end of 2022. Read more.
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Altice USA
Charter Spectrum
Comcast
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