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Top Cable Trade Group Ditching The Word 'Cable'
As Cable Operators Focus More on Broadband

Contemplating a brand refresh, the cable industry's chief lobbying and trade group is contemplating ditching the word cable from its brand. According to a recent trademark filing, the The National Cable & Telecommunications Association has applied for a trademark for the name "NCTA The Internet and Television Association." The possible shift is a reflection of the fact that most cable operators are now focused on broadband as their primary service. The NCTA's lobbying operations have also reflected this shift, with a heavier emphasis on broadband-related issues.

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rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

rradina

Member

Focusing on HSI

Now that Sun is gone, perhaps cable providers can reword their old catch phrase:

"The network is the entertainment!"
or
"The network is the content!"

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

dvd536

Premium Member

Or just maybe . . .

"Cable" companies all have a bad reputation.

change your "name" and everything is good again.

moving companies with F ratings do this all the time.

Thirsty III
@bellatlantic.com

Thirsty III

Anon

Re: Or just maybe . . .

Or like AIG

AVD
Respice, Adspice, Prospice
Premium Member
join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ

AVD

Premium Member

who is calling themselves

I think CV (but it might be comcast) is calling themselves a phone company in some advertising.

norbert26
Premium Member
join:2010-08-10
Warwick, RI

norbert26

Premium Member

same animal

re wrap the pig in a new blanket its still a pig.
gia
join:2008-01-30
Mcallen, TX

gia

Member

Re: same animal

said by norbert26:

re wrap the pig in a new blanket its still a pig.

Only that pig is offering the fastest internet speeds in the US leaving the telcos in the dust in terms of internet speeds with the exception of Verizon FiOS and other fiber outlets in very limited subdivisions.

Not bad for a pig that offers 300 Mbps internet (comcast) or 100 Mbps( CV and others) or 50 Mbps (TWC)

cork1958
Cork
Premium Member
join:2000-02-26

cork1958

Premium Member

Re: same animal

said by gia:

said by norbert26:

re wrap the pig in a new blanket its still a pig.

Only that pig is offering the fastest internet speeds in the US leaving the telcos in the dust in terms of internet speeds with the exception of Verizon FiOS and other fiber outlets in very limited subdivisions.

Not bad for a pig that offers 300 Mbps internet (comcast) or 100 Mbps( CV and others) or 50 Mbps (TWC)

It's not like everyone in the world even wants or needs those ridiculous speeds, me included, so a pig wrapped in a blanket, is still a pig!!
Bob61571
join:2008-08-08
Washington, IL

Bob61571

Member

the real reason

"most cable operators are now focused on broadband as their primary service" because consumer studies showed that consumers valued their internet service much higher than they did the TV product.

People are trending to cord-cutting, unbundling, and going to OTA(among many choices).

Also, "cable" is a bad word to most of the public, due to years of issues.
elray
join:2000-12-16
Santa Monica, CA

elray

Member

Re: the real reason

said by Bob61571:

"most cable operators are now focused on broadband as their primary service" because consumer studies showed that consumers valued their internet service much higher than they did the TV product.

People are trending to cord-cutting, unbundling, and going to OTA(among many choices).

No, they aren't. Unless there is a competitive OTT/IPTV pay-tv product that delivers the same content as cable/satellite, the bulk of American households will continue to subscribe. And that product isn't going to happen in a network-neutral environment.

Cable is the one player that gets it, and has the opportunity to win. They continue to invest in plant and content, while telco does not, and they're trying to broaden their appeal with additional offerings, while improving their image.

Cable has the customer service, installation and repair fleet that virtual operators lack. No amount of wireless-self-install options will ever overcome the need for low-voltage wiring techs who can cimb a telephone pole. Offshored call centers will not replace a hands-on demonstration (for the 10th time) of how to switch your set to Channel 3 or HDMI #2.

BBND MTRS
@comcast.net

BBND MTRS

Anon

Re: the real reason

In fact, the cable industry still does not get it. TWC is starting to data cap instead of investing in upgrading their plant, despite all signs that the demand is skyrocketing and to survive they'll need fiber to the home. Comcast just made me wait 10 minutes simply to drop movie channels I never asked for in the first place. Its guide is cumbersome and unfriendly. We are on our 5th DVR HD box in 1.5 years. And next month, we will drop the TV subscription and save just a bundle of money. We are in our fifties, so this phenomnon is slipping beyond the GenY crowd.

mikesterr
join:2008-04-18
Sanford, FL

mikesterr

Member

Better name

They should drop the "NCTA" completely and just stay with "The Internet and Television Association."
Then we can call them T I T A or Tita.

IowaCowboy
Lost in the Supermarket
Premium Member
join:2010-10-16
Springfield, MA

IowaCowboy

Premium Member

A way to protect cable revenues

They should waive the caps for customers that subscribe to expanded basic or higher. Without pay TV revenue, broadband prices would be much higher. There are a lot of costs involved in cable infrastructure. Maintenance, customer support, labor, and other costs are factored into providing service so they split the costs over the three services they provide. A provider that would provide high speed Internet only could not survive on HSI only revenue.
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

^^ what does this symbol mean?!?

how about focusing on better upload speeds..?
15/2, 50/5, 50/8, etc... are too asymmetrical

some price competition wouldn't hurt too..

antdude
Matrix Ant
Premium Member
join:2001-03-25
US

antdude

Premium Member

Still using cables.

Coax cables that is! :P
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

1 recommendation

Kearnstd

Premium Member

Re: Still using cables.

I was thinking the same thing, It is still Cable TV and Cable Internet. The name comes from the physical layer not the marketing layer.

antdude
Matrix Ant
Premium Member
join:2001-03-25
US

antdude

Premium Member

Re: Still using cables.

said by Kearnstd:

I was thinking the same thing, It is still Cable TV and Cable Internet. The name comes from the physical layer not the marketing layer.

Unless they are doing something beside coax cables.

kevinds
Premium Member
join:2003-05-01
Calgary, AB

kevinds

Premium Member

Telcom

My thought on this was because the Telephone companies are offering TV services, they want to have them feel included in their association and lobbying efforts. And not just Cable companies.