Research
The cable industry provided nearly $2bln dollars in support to local communities in ’06, up more than $600K from ’04, says a study by ACC and Cision US. The industry provided $159mln in support to schools and educational institutions across the nation, an increase of 29% over the 2-year period from 2004. Schools and educational institutions received the equivalent of $50mln in free broadband and cable services. Cash and in-kind support by cable to charities, non-profits and educational institutions totaled $925mln, an increase of 122%. PSAs were valued at $897mln, up 11%. Cable provided $8.5mln in volunteer time and $4.6mln in contribution of broadband services to libraries and youth centers. — Potential growth in urban triple-play bundles is highest among Spanish-dominant Latino and African-American homes, according to Horowitz Assoc, and Hispanic, bilingual and Asian homes aren’t far behind. 46% of overall urban HHs now receive bundled services, with 70% of those homes subscribing to a double-play and 30% to a triple-play.