Network strength and reliability is “paramount,” a CommScope spokesperson said Wednesday in response to warnings earlier that day from Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., about COVID-19-related vulnerabilities (see 2003250043). When the company learns of security threats, it works “closely” with customers, “partners and service providers to provide the most up-to-date security measures possible,” the gearmaker said.
TV antenna usage in U.S. broadband households rose to 25% in 2019, from 15% last year, and is expected to grow more as COVID-19 keeps consumers at home, reported Parks Associates Thursday. Households that watch over-the-air channels watch more video overall than average broadband households, it said. “Local broadcast channels are the most preferred channel types, and news is the most preferred broadcast content,” said analyst Steve Nason. Antenna usage is growing as households look to meet those needs; shelter-in-place orders are expected to boost those numbers as households “look for inexpensive content options to offset lost wages.” Some 78% of households surveyed in Q3 watch live TV channels, he said. About half of antenna users don’t subscriber to a pay-TV service, traditional or over the-top.
TV news consumption on Sling TV climbed 121% since Feb. 24, said Dish Network Thursday. Sling is offering its “news-rich” Blue streaming service for free through April 5, amid the pandemic.
Analog Devices withdrew its revenue outlook for fiscal Q2 ending May 2, citing supply chain disruption “and uncertainty around future demand.” Customer demand in the quarter has been “resilient,” the company said, but “it has become increasingly difficult to quantify and forecast the business impact of COVID-19.” On a February earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah gave a Q2 revenue outlook of $1.35 billion, “plus or minus $50 million,” which included a $70 million revenue reduction due to near-term risks of the coronavirus. The company expected then for revenue to increase a mid-to-high-single-digit percentage sequentially, with growth across its industrial, automotive and communications markets. Thursday, CEO Vincent Roche said the company is “stepping up to combat the COVID-19 pandemic” by partnering with customers and healthcare organizations to deploy its healthcare diagnostics. It will provide a further update on its Q2 earnings call.
Americans, many working from home, have watched more TV in recent weeks amid COVID-19, said Comscore Wednesday. Viewing of seven cable news networks increased 73% March 16-20 vs. the same week in 2019, it said, with daytime viewing up 103% and “early fringe” viewing (4-7:30 p.m.) up 82%. Financial news networks had a 160% bump in early fringe viewership; a 140% increase in daytime. Viewing of the big four broadcast networks increased nearly 19 percent in the period, driven by daytime (31%) and early fringe (35%) slots. Daytime viewing of children’s programming grew 31%.
Global governments need to define semiconductors as an “essential” industry that must be “allowed to continue operations” during COVID-19 lockdowns, blogged Semiconductor Industry Association President John Neuffer Wednesday. Semiconductors “underpin vital sectors of the economy, including health care and medical devices, telecommunications, energy, finance, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing,” he said. They run information technology systems “that enable remote work and access to essential services across every domain,” he said. “Ensuring the continuity of semiconductor and related supply chains is necessary to support the even greater range of services that will be digitized in the coming weeks and months.”
COVID-19 forced cancellation of the June 10-11 CE Week show at New York's Javits Convention Center, said its IFA organizers Wednesday. An executive order Monday from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) enlisted the Army Corps of Engineers to build a temporary 1,000-bed hospital at Javits.
Amazon, Craigslist, eBay, Facebook and Walmart should take rigorous action to prevent COVID-19-related price-gouging (see 2003200066), 33 state attorneys general wrote the companies Wednesday. The AGs, from both parties and including from California, Nebraska, New York and Utah, recommended price trigger tools and complaint portals for consumers. Companies “have an ethical obligation” to do everything in their power to stop the practice in real time, they wrote. The Internet Association didn’t comment.
Internet networking device vendors need to ensure wireless access points, routers, modems and connectivity products can’t be easily exploited, given increased demand due to COVID-19, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., wrote Google, Netgear, Belkin, Eero, Asus and CommScope Wednesday. He cited increased reliance for remote work, health and education purposes: “Both new and older devices in use deserve protection from cybersecurity threats, including timely updates to mitigate vulnerabilities and exposures." Security is a top priority, and Belkin continues to “work around the clock to prevent vulnerabilities and exploits,” a spokesperson emailed. The company recommended consumers use “safe and unique passwords” and take other precautions. The other companies didn’t comment.
Smartphone production could fall 30% during 2020's first half from coronavirus disruptions, said ABI Research Tuesday. “Ripples from China will be felt globally,” said David McQueen, calling mass disruption to production lines and stalling of supply chains due to labor shortages and inactive logistics “disastrous.” With China the world’s manufacturing center for most smartphones -- and a top market -- the sector has been hardest hit by delayed shipments and a “weakened development of next-generation products,” he said. A move to lower price tiers was expected to boost 5G smartphone adoption this year, but the pandemic will push out development and shipments of affordable models, McQueen said. Though the outbreak is expected to come under control by the end of Q2, it will take time for consumer confidence to return, said the analyst.