* Cablevision backs a la carte
Cablevision Systems Corp. Chairman Charles Dolan issued a statement reiterating the MSO’s support for efforts to create a la carte programming mandates – a position that counters the majority of its fellow cable operators. In the statement, he backed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin’s statements before a Nov. 29 Senate Commerce Committee hearing that the ability for subscribers to buy cable channel service on an a la carte basis would be in their best interests and would not be damaging to programmers or cable operators.
“On the contrary, our experience indicates a la carte will result in a more affordable service for all with more programming options. The Chairman’s approach, in our view, is consistent with the best traditions of retailing in this country. Consumers should not be obliged directly or indirectly to buy services they do not want,” Dolan said, in the statement.
* SCTE seeks Web master
The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers is casting out the proposal net for Web services companies interested in creating and maintaining the organization’s online career-oriented services portal. SCTE is looking for a quality Web design with turnkey operations. The site is aimed at providing professional support to SCTE’s 14,000 members.
Companies wanting to submit proposals can contact Mark John, SCTE vice president of membership services, at 610-524-1725, ext. 210, or e-mail mjohn@scte.org. Deadline for submissions is Thursday, Dec 15.
* SCTE presents VoIP troubleshooting session
The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers will tackle snarls with voice-over-IP systems with the next installment of its Live Learning online education series.
“Troubleshooting VoIP in a DOCSIS Network” will air at 2 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, Dec. 21. The seminar will focus on common sources of VoIP impairments, and how they are measured, detected, and resolved. The events are free for SCTE members and cost $29 per seminar for nonmembers. Registration is required, and “seats” are limited.
Details and registration for the December session are available under the Education section at https://www.scte.org/.
* ESPN hits 100 broadband Webcast mark
ESPN’s broadband Web site, ESPN360, will hit the century mark for live event broadcasts Tuesday, with the airing of the men’s college basketball game between Villanova and Bucknell. The exclusive broadband streaming video event will air at 7 p.m. Eastern from the Sojka Pavilion in Lewisburg, Pa., and it will mark the 100th such event staged on the Web portal in 2005.
“ESPN360 sets a new standard for live events available on broadband,” said Len Mead, ESPN’s director of new media content.” This year, we have produced twice as many games as we did last year and we look forward to satisfying the appetites of college basketball fans across the country.”
