Archive for April, 2009
Certification Superachievers
In mid-2008, Suddenlink launched an internal program to coordinate and accelerate the professional development of its tech ops staff, including the achievement of SCTE certifications.
Several Suddenlink cable systems are now approaching the point where 100% of their tech ops staff have at least one level of SCTE certification.
Meanwhile, several inidvidual members of the company’s tech ops team have each achieved at least three levels of SCTE certification. They are: Jon Neal, Bill Bittick, Mark Garcia, Arturo “Junior” Torres, Jonathan McClanahan, Jonathan McCoy, Kelly Patrick, and Chad Winnell.
Congrats to all.
Suddenlink Signs Up for Work Program
NFL Network v. Comcast
… Comcast wants to carry NFL Network, and we have been working hard to come to an agreement to do just that before our current contract with the NFL expires on May 1. In fact, we have offered to continue to carry the network under the terms of our current contract, but the NFL has refused.
You may wonder why. We’re asking the same question.
Cohen adds:
The NFL already makes more than $20 billion through long-term deals with ESPN, CBS, Fox, and NBC – more than the television-rights fees collected by the NBA, NHL, and NASCAR combined.
But the NFL wants more, and it’s trying to use its enormous market power to force millions of our customers to pay for games they have always seen for free.
We encourage anyone interested in this issue to read Cohen’s entire commentary; it’s well worth it.
Cable Group: ‘Yes’ on National Cybersecurity Post
“We strongly support the creation of the Office of the National Cybersecurity Advisor,” said NCTA president Kyle McSlarrow, “and applaud Senators Rockefeller and Snowe for introducing this important legislation that addresses the critical issues of how we can protect our nation’s cybersecurity. As the nation’s leading broadband industry, we look forward to participating in a constructive dialogue about how we can maintain a safe and secure Internet.”
Suddenlink is an NCTA member company.
Policy News
Elsewhere on the Hill, the NFL may be increasingly concerned about potential antitrust scrutiny, prompted in part by its controversial NFL Network.
Lufkin Gets VOD
Lufkin joins a growing list of Suddenlink communities where VOD has been launched — a list that will continue to expand in the months ahead. Stay tuned.
Suddenlink States
Suddenlink Marketing Manager Recognized
The full article, including Heather’s profile, is available here.
DTV Transition: Sen. Hutchison’s Concerns
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) has “a couple of things” that concern her about the current state of the DTV transition, including whether there could be a way to compensate broadcasters for some of their costs in moving the transition date. “That is a conversation I think we’re still hoping to have going forward,” Brian Hendricks, legislative counsel to Senator Hutchison, said Tuesday …
Hendricks said another concern was that the [Senate's Communications, Technology & Internet Subcommittee] has not had a DTV oversight hearing yet. [Subcommittee Chair John] Kerry did not give a date for the DTV oversight hearing, but said it would be sometime in May.
