NRTC and NTCA Now Offer More Than 80 High-Definition Channels

Giving Rural Telcos Opportunity for Increased Revenue

For Immediate Release
DATE: February 11, 2009

NRTC Contact:
Andrea Cumpston
Phone: 703-787-7156
E-mail: acumpsto@nrtc.coop

NTCA Contact: 
Caitlin Colligan
Phone: 703-351-2086

February 10, 2009 [Herndon, VA] –The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) and the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) have announced that telcos now have the opportunity to deliver more than 80 channels of high-definition (HD) programming. In recent weeks, NRTC has more than doubled its HD offering and has created programming packages that enable rural telcos to derive incremental revenue. 

The robust HD offering includes premium services like HBO and Starz; the entire ESPN HD lineup; and services from Disney, Discovery Communications, Lifetime Networks, Smithsonian and the Tennis Channel. To give telcos flexibility in creating packages for their markets, NRTC has created two tiers of HD programming, which can allow telcos to realize incremental, recurring revenue. “HD Basic” gives telcos a way to deliver HD at no cost to the telco and includes channels like CNN HD, ESPN HD and Bravo HD. The “HD Tier” includes premium high-definition channels like A&E HD, HDNet and HD Theater (Discovery Networks). 

“HD is growing in importance in rural areas. With it, rural telcos can compete effectively against cable or other service providers that offer voice, Internet and video,” said NRTC President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Phillips. “Consumers choose their video services based on the features available. With the number of HD channels in our programming solution and the tiers we’ve created, rural telcos can position themselves advantageously.”

Now, NRTC offers its members over 350 video and audio channels. NRTC’s distribution agreements include rights for telcos to deliver the programming in Internet Protocol and analog formats over copper, fiber or coaxial cable. In addition to the rights to HD services, NRTC has also acquired rights to these channels’ video-on-demand services, when available. 

In September of 2007, NRTC and NTCA officially launched their IPTV programming solution. NTCA invested in this opportunity in order to ensure that members had comprehensive access to quality video content. 

About NRTC
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) represents the advanced telecommunications and information technology interests of more than 1,400 rural utilities and affiliates in 47 states. Founded in 1986, NRTC provides products and services developed specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and their customers, such as high-speed Internet access via satellite, full service Internet support, wireless technologies, long distance programs, mobile phone service, IP broadband backbone services, and direct broadcast satellite service (DBS) with DIRECTV. NRTC serves rural and independent telephone operators in a market of more than 10 million homes. For more information, visit www.nrtc.coop. 

About NTCA
The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) is the premier association representing more than 560 locally owned and controlled telecommunications cooperatives and commercial companies throughout rural and small-town America. NTCA provides its members with legislative, regulatory and industry representation; meetings; publications and educational programs; and an array of employee benefit programs. For more information, visit www.ntca.org.

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