HALIFAX – Consumers are voting with their wallets in terms of how they want their television programming delivered.
They are purchasing digital cable to gain packaging flexibility, PVR’s to allow them to create their own schedules, time-shifted services to give them additional viewing windows, whatever VOD is available and on-line services to bypass the traditional broadcasting system.
Some even resort to piracy in the belief that that will get them the programs they want to watch, when they want to watch them.
Despite this clear sign from consumers, programmers cling to distinct channels and even channel placement and distributors…
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HALIFAX – EastLink Cable has added six channels to its digital line-up for its Maritime customers.
Subscribers will be able to watch The Military Channel, The Fight Network, World Fishing Network (WFN), GolTV, Wild TV, and the NFL Network. They’re available individually, or the first five are bundled in a new “Action Pak” theme package, which is available on free preview until Sept. 20 and for an additional $6.95 a month afterwards. The NFL Network will be free to all digital cable subscribers.
"EastLink prides itself on delivering the best television viewing experience to our customers throughout the Maritimes,"…
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TORONTO – Halifax-based cableco EastLink launched Insight Sports’ World Fishing Network and GolTV last week.
WFN and GolTV were launched on August 25, 2006 for the MSO’s digital cable customers (channels 116 and 117, respectively).
"We know there is a great passion in Atlantic Canada for these two distinct program genres, and we’re elated to bring the best in both 24/7 fishing and live soccer to viewers in the area,” said Mark Rubinstein, president, Insight Sports, in a release.
www.eastlink.ca www.wfn.tv www.goltv.ca
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OTTAWA – While three Commissioners dissented with the majority in today’s renewed VOIP decision, not all balked for the same reasons.
While commissioners Stuart Langford and Barbara Cram agreed with the confirmation of the 2005 VOIP ruling but not the announced review of the local forbearance decision, Andrée Noel simply reaffirmed her opposition to the first VOIP decision.
"I agree with the majority that the regulatory regime for local voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services decision is correct and should be reaffirmed," wrote Langford. "I disagree absolutely, however, with the majority’s determination… to reconsider the suitability of one of…
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HALIFAX – EastLink’s Annapolis Valley network overhaul was completed ahead of schedule, the company announced this week.
The $29.1 million upgrade of its network – so that the cable company can deliver telephone service to communities throughout the Annapolis Valley – was scheduled to be finished in December
"We’re excited to have completed this upgrade and provide residents and business customers with a choice," said EastLink’s co-CEO Dan McKeen. "The Annapolis Valley now enjoys a competitive telephone service. The response has been tremendous and many customer are already enjoying additional savings and the quality and reliability of our digital…
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HALIFAX – EastLink cable has been honoured by Canadian Blood Services Atlantic Region for helping save lives by promoting the importance of donating blood.
EastLink was presented with a Partners for Life award at the services’ Donor Awards Ceremony Thursday night in Dartmouth, N.S.
Among the cableco’s contributions are encouraging viewers to donate blood during the crucial December holiday period. EastLink Blood Donor Days helped Maritime clinics exceed their targets by 32%. EastLink Television also broadcast specialized programming through its flagship television show, EastLink Magazine, to educate viewers on the importance of donating blood and broadcasts Canadian Blood Service…
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HALIFAX, N.S. – EastLink’s director of human resources, Donald Rankin, won the Excellence in Human Resources Award last week, from the Human Resource Associations of Atlantic Canada.
Rankin was chosen for the award "based on his outstanding contribution to the human resource profession, aligning and influencing corporate strategies with the best of human resource practices and his commitment to learning and continuous professional development," says the press release.
During his 28 years in the business and human resource community, Rankin has played an instrumental role in developing and implementing progressive human resource policies. “Donald has played an instrumental role in…
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OTTAWA – Cable and satellite companies can now advertise their Internet and voice offerings on CNN, A&E, SpikeTV and other American cable channels, the CRTC has ruled.
The American channels make two minutes per hour available for local ad sales – which is a multi-billion-dollar business for U.S. MSOs. However, Canadian cable companies are not allowed, by regulation, to sell the time here.
Seventy-five percent of the time has to be given – at cost – to Canadian broadcasters, while 25% of the time could be used to promote cable’s video offerings – meaning the cablecos could not advertise…
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QUISPAMSIS, N.B. – Canada’s smaller independent cable companies lost their voice in Ottawa this year with the closure of the Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association in February.
Because its 94 member companies still want to be heard by government and the CRTC, the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance decided at a board meeting on Thursday it will re-enter the regulatory arena, albeit on a far smaller scale than what the CCTA offered.
The CCSA has retained Harris Boyd as its new regulatory advisor. Boyd was a long-time executive with the CCTA and was its senior vice-president, industry relations, when the association…
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HALIFAX – Science is about having fun, developing a unique idea and the willingness to take the risk to implement it. Those were some of the thoughts EastLink co-chief executive officer Lee Bragg shared with over 100 students and special guests during the Team Nova Scotia Showcase last week.
Bragg, who acted as keynote speaker, told the audience that science is a vital part of his family’s businesses and spoke directly to the link between the communications and entertainment business and the blueberry business (Lee’s father John Bragg owns Oxford Foods, the largest frozen blueberry producer in the world,…
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