NBCUniversal to cut staff at E!, Esquire networks; Epix offers TV Everywhere app for Android TV

More cable news from across the Web:

> NBCUniversal plans to cut around 7 percent of the staff from its E! and Esquire networks. Hollywood Reporter article

> Comcast appears to continue to have problems identifying customers in its billing software. DSLreports article

> Comcast appointed Troy Griffin as its new VP of customer strategy and operations for Comcast's Beltway Region. Insidenova article

> Epix has launched a TV Everywhere app for Google's Android TV platform. Multichannel News article

> Despite showing signs of sluggishness this year, ZenithOptimedia predicts TV advertising spending will rise 2 percent to $68.1 billion in 2016, an Olympic year. Broadcasting & Cable article

> According to a new study, close to 80 percent of Netflix users would pay more per month for the service to avoid advertisements. DSLreports article

Telecom News

> Verizon has begun negotiations on a new contract for union workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) amidst claims the telco is not meeting its FiOS and copper network repair obligations. Article

Wireless Tech News

> Is there an alternative to LTE-U/LAA that won't tick everyone off? Editor's Corner

> The ITU has decided on the term it will use to refer to IMT-2020, and it is, appropriately enough, "IMT-2020," referencing the year in which most industry watchers expect 5G to commercially deploy. Article

European Wireless News

> Altice tabled an offer to acquire Bouygues Telecom via its French unit Numericable-SFR in a proposal said to be valued at about €10 billion ($11.4 billion) to €11 billion, although the offer price has not yet been confirmed. Article

Wireless News

> Sprint's recently announced promotion for its Boost Mobile prepaid brand to cut the bill in half of customers who switch from T-Mobile US' MetroPCS and AT&T Mobility's Cricket prepaid brands represents a "race to the bottom" in wireless pricing, according to MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett. Article

And finally… The "Silicon Valley" of the drone industry is in North Dakota. Article