QUISPAMSIS, N.B. – The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance gave its thumbs up to the CRTC’s new policy framework released yesterday, particularly – and predictably – the initiatives designed to assist smaller cable companies in launching new digital and high definition television services.
“We had feared that this proceeding had been overtaken by conventional television’s renewed demands for new carriage fees,” said Chris Edwards, the CCSA’s regulatory vice-president in a press release today.
“It is clear to us that, throughout this massive public proceeding, the CRTC paid very close attention to our submissions on behalf of small distributors and their customers,” he continued. “We appreciate having our voice heard. The result is a policy framework that, consistent with the language of the Act, affirms that the broadcasting system must operate to the benefit of all Canadians, not just those in the urban centres, and that provides many of the tools necessary to make sure that actually happens. That’s the right result and Canadian consumers in all markets should be pleased.”
The CCSA was encouraged by the initiatives that include an expanded exemption from regulatory restrictions for distributors who serve less than 20,000 customers and “relief”, for those same distributors, from the requirement to obtain consent to distribute out-of-market off-air television signals.
Also, with program suppliers required to cover the cost of transporting both standard and high definition television signals to the cable companies’ facilities, that will give the smaller cablecos the help that they need to access and offer new HD channels to their customers, says the Alliance
