Search Results for: ccsa

Cable / Telecom News

CCSA 2009: CableLabs’ Lammers on how the other half competes

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. – While the future of high speed data for cable operators is DOCSIS 3.0 and whatever comes after that, it may not yet be necessary to dive into that cost and upgrade for most CCSA members. Thanks to an ever-increasing array of new bandwidth-hungry applications (to say nothing of the oldest, biggest, app, analog television), all network operators are finding network management a challenge. So this morning, Chris Lammers, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Cable Television Laboratories, the cable industry’s R&D consortium, told delegates at Connect 2009, the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance annual conference, a bit about… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CCSA renews agreement with SeaChange

QUISPAMSIS, NB – The CCSA has renewed its bulk purchase master agreement with SeaChange International for video-on-demand (VOD) solutions which include on-demand and linear advertising systems. “SeaChange has become a valued supplier to our members and with the addition of both linear and on-demand advertising systems, as well as personalized applications (including navigation and time-shifted viewing), CCSA members will have the opportunity to further expand their VOD systems,” said president and CEO Alyson Townsend, in the press release. SeaChange International provides software applications and services for VOD, digital advertising, and content acquisition monetization and management. www.ccsa.cable.cawww.schange.com Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CCSA signs deals for Big Ten Network, Arris EMTA’s

QUISPAMSIS, NB – The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) and the Big Ten Network have reached an agreement for CCSA members to carry the sports channel, with many systems launching as early as this week. The Big Ten Network covers one of the premier collegiate sports conferences in the United States, and airs approximately 350 live events. “We are extremely pleased that our members throughout Canada will have the ability to offer the Big Ten Network to their customers,” said CCSA president and CEO Alyson Townsend, in the announcement. “There’s a great deal of interest in NCAA sports in Canada, and… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Lineup confirmed for CCSA AGM

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON – With the Summit for Independent Communications (Connect 2009) just around the corner, the CCSA has confirmed its list of speakers and topics. Christopher Lammers from CableLabs will provide an overview of DOCSIS 3.0, IP video, video-on-demand and network PVRs. He will be followed by Rahaf Harfoush, an expert on new media and a member of Obama’s social media team, and Max Valiquette, a youth culture and marketing expert. The CTAM topic, called ‘The Digital Transition – It’s Happening’, will examine what Canada can learn from the recently completed US over-the-air transition to digital. Moderated by CCSA consultant… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

You can click and connect at the CCSA’s Click, and Connect

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE – Registration is open for the CCSA’s annual conference, to be held September 20 – 22, at the White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Called the ‘Connect’ Conference and ‘Click’ Trade Show, the event will provide an opportunity for CCSA members, programmers, equipment suppliers and other delegates to discuss industry needs, learn about current topics, and, of course, have some fun in the process. The members-only AGM kicks off the proceedings on Sunday, September 20 beginning at 1 p.m. Monday will feature the trade show portion of the event, plus presentations by CableLabs, CTAM and the Board of Directors’ dinner. Tuesday will be… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

The Cartt.ca Interview: CCSA wants wireless but no FFC, says president and CEO Alyson Townsend

ABOUT A WEEK before the next Commission’s September 29th inquiry into the state of the broadcast industry, whomever the regulator dares send to the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance annual gathering will be sure to get an earful. The members of the CCSA are Canada’s smaller, but fiercely independent, cable operators and when they meet on September 20-22 for Connect 2009 at the White Oaks Resort in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ont., you can bet any thought of paying a fee for carriage to conventional broadcasters won’t be warmly received, to say the least. The group has worked hard to earn a small systems exemption… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CRTC to mediate between CCSA and Rogers Sportsnet

OTTAWA – The CRTC has taken the unusual step of offering to step in to help resolve a carriage dispute between Rogers Sportsnet and the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA). The CCSA asked for the Commission’s assistance on February 26, 2009 to help resolve the year-old commercial dispute through either final offer arbitration or an expedited hearing. At issue is the distribution of Rogers Sportsnet (RSI), the national, English-language specialty channel focused on regional sports programming, by the CCSA’s 98 small- and medium-sized independent cable companies.  The network is packaged and distributed across Canada on four distinct regional feeds, as well as… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Rogers and other BDUs file complaint against CTV for breach of public trust

TORONTO – Rogers, Bell, Telus, Cogeco, Eastlink and the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) have banded together to file a complaint with the CRTC alleging that CTV has violated the Broadcasting Act by airing a “one-sided and unbalanced coverage” of its own advocacy campaign. As reported by Cartt.ca, CTV has been promoting its ‘Save Local TV’ campaign across its television properties in an apparent attempt to pressure the government and the CRTC for fee-for-carriage.  But incorporating the campaign into their local newscasts violates the Broadcasting Act and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters own Code of Ethics, say the group of BDUs. "While we… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

UPDATE: Rogers and other BDUs file complaint against CTV for breach of public trust

TORONTO – CTV has, predictably, refuted the allegations made by Rogers and other BDUs regarding its ‘Save Local TV’ public advocacy campaign. In a statement sent late on Friday afternoon, the network said it has remained in “full compliance” with both the Broadcasting Act and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Code of Ethics, and called the complaint by the BDUs an “underhanded move by cable and satellite companies” and “an abuse of process designed to suppress freedom of speech and mislead the public”. "The fact that the first we’re hearing about this is through a Rogers’ press release and still… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

COMMTECH 2009: Products, seminars draw record numbers

KELOWNA – “We broke all our records,” says Canadian CommTech Show and Seminars organizer Jan Lee in describing the number of attendees at this year’s gathering. She told Cartt.ca, which is also the event’s media sponsor, that the annual event drew delegates – not including exhibitors – from 68 separate companies (up from 52 last year). The delegates were treated to a dozen seminars Wednesday and can take advantage of eight more Thursday. On the trade show floor there are approximately 90 exhibits and while the final count isn’t in yet, the total number of industry folks here are… Continue Reading