Cable industry news from across the Web:
> Comcast announced that it has increased Internet speeds for customers in almost all of its residential service areas in California, as well as select markets in Kansas, Missouri and Texas. Press release
> Apple has executed on a plan to build its own content delivery network (CDN) and now has it operating live in the U.S. and Europe. Story
> According to a new NCTA report, 48 million CableCARDS have been deployed by MSOs compared to only 620,000 by retail set-top manufacturers. Story
> Comporium was named "2014 Independent Top Operator" at the annual Independent Show in Kansas City, Mo. Press release
> NBCUniversal has made TV Everywhere apps for USA Network and Syfy available for the Xbox One. Story
> Zenith Media has been hired to handle media planning and buying for FX Networks. Story
> Former MTV executive Judy McGrath has joined the board at Amazon. Story
> Discovery Communications chief executive David Zaslov told investors on the company's second quarter earnings call Thursday that Discovery is open to merging with other conglomerates. Story
And finally... According to a TiVo study, AMC's Mad Men is the show with the least amount of commercial engagement, with only 27 percent of DVR users not skipping the commercials. Story