SAINT JOHN, NB – The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) has announced the shortlisted nominees for the 2017 Tuned-in Canada awards – the annual nation-wide competition highlighting the efforts of local providers of television and communications services in Canada.
“We received so many great nominations this year, with many members participating for the first time; it’s really nice to see and hear their stories,” said CCSA CEO Jay Thomson, in the announcement. “We were also very pleased to see an increase in the percentage of nominations received directly from customers of CCSA members. This level of support really shows how deeply Canada’s local cable and telecommunications companies are integrated into, and valued by, the communities they serve.
“The nominations this year highlighted inspiring stories of customer service and community building. Our members are truly invested in the relationships they develop with the communities and clients they serve. The nominations continue to show us amazing local television content and introduce us to the on-air personalities that help bring the local news to life,” continued Thomson.
Judges Greg O’Brien (president of FindTV, and editor & publisher of Cartt.ca), Kurt Muller (Associate Dean of Media and Entertainment at Mohawk College), and Suzanne Lamarre (Lawyer, engineer, consultant and Québec Commissioner at the CRTC from 2008-2013), have completed their work and the shortlisted nominees will be published on the contest website for nationwide voting on April 20, 2017.
The shortlisted nominees are:
Best customer service story
– Westman Communications Group (MB): Syrian family
– Cable Cable Inc. (ON): Support for seniors
– Seaside Communications (NB): Above and beyond service
– VCTV (BC): Covering small events
Best community building story
– Hay Communications (ON): Hess Tower clock
– Seaside Communications (NB): Glace Bay food bank
– Wightman Communications (ON): Local radiothon
– Coop. de Câblo. de Ste-Hedwidge (QC): Connecting our community
Best community channel programming
– Hay Communications & HuronTel (ON): Inspiring women
– Câble Axion (QC): Axion Magazine
– Télé-Int-Tel Inc. (QC): Aging dazzlingly
– Seaside Communications (NS): Easy eats
Best on-camera community channel personality
– Câble Axion (QC): Chef François Gauthier
– Hay Communications & HuronTel (ON): Shaunessy Sinnett
– Novus Entertainment (BC): Jordan Wade
– Seaside Communications (NS) – Jason LeFrense
“We encourage Canadians to support their local nominees by casting a vote,” added Thomson. “It should be a close competition in all categories, so stay tuned.”
The winner in each category will receive $1,000 to donate to a community charity of their choice.
