More cable news from across the Web:
> Smithsonian Networks said it will offer its own over-the-top subscription service that will offer content on nature and wildlife. Source article
> Herring Networks, which operates Wealth TV and America One Network, is dialing back its support for Charter Communications' proposed purchase of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks. Broadcasting & Cable article
> Japan's Star Channel inked a deal with HBO. Variety article
> The Human Rights Campaign named Time Warner Cable a "best place to work" for LGBT employees. Release
Telecom News
> Cox Business is taking advantage of the emerging small cell opportunity with a new turnkey service that it says will enable wireless operators to deploy small cells to extend coverage and capacity. Article
Online Video News
> As reports swirl that Hulu is in talks to sell a stake in its business to Time Warner, a few industry watchers see the deal as not likely to happen, particularly under Hulu's current licensing model of next-day availability of broadcast content. Making a few changes to that licensing model, however, might make the SVOD provider more attractive to potential buyers. Article
> Gaming consoles had the early streaming advantage as consumers were already buying the devices to play games. While gaming console penetration is declining among U.S. broadband households, the devices are still owned and used by more than half of broadband households. Industry Voices
Installer News
> The FTTH Council recently released guidance on how to streamline the make-ready policies to facilitate deployment of fiber into more communities on the heels of the recently introduced "Dig Once" broadband deployment bill -- the Broadband Conduit Deployment Act of 2015. Article
> Verizon has certified CommScope's ION-E in-building wireless solution so it can be installed in enterprises across Verizon's wireless footprint in the United States. Article
European Wireless News
> Vodafone said it has become the first network operator in the world to successfully trial LTE carrier aggregation on a live network using both licensed and unlicensed spectrum, as it investigates new ways to deal with rapidly growing mobile data usage. Article
Wireless News
> Sprint is going all out to woo customers from its competitors this holiday season. The carrier said it will cut the rate plans in half of customers who switch to Sprint from Verizon, AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile US, and the savings will last through 2018. Article
> Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri said Ericsson and Cisco's partnership to resell each other's products and services and jointly develop new ones means that Nokia was right to purchase rival Alcatel-Lucent for $16.6 billion. Article
And finally… As the company looks to go public, Tinder's CEO gave a decidedly off-color interview. Article