Cable / Telecom News

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Local avail lunacy?

I HAVE READ WITH interest the astonishing assertion by Glenn O’Farrell that he should be allowed to poach local avails and direct the money, “wherever it is needed.” (See "Avail sales can help make Cancon", Cartt.ca, November 25, 2009) Two previous ill-conceived plans similar in nature were turned down for a few good reasons. Perhaps Mr. O’Farrell is unaware that local avails are part of affiliation agreements that are between two parties, not three. When BDUs are licensed and agree to carry services such as CNN, Golf, Speed and A&E, part of those agreements permit the BDU to occupy two minutes per...