NCTC: Cable’s Current Structure Limits Access to More Hispanic Channels

(Maribel Ramos-Weiner). Small cable operators affiliated with the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC), argue there are not more Hispanic channels on their grids due to the current structure of cable packages.“There are many obstacles to creating a channel package tailored specifically to Hispanics. In a few markets, some of the traditional Anglo channels are being removed so that Hispanic packages can be created,” said in an interview with PRODU Jeff Abbas, President and CEO of NCTC.However, this is happening in the larger markets. The smaller ones are still trying to come up with a formula to offer Hispanic programming that is relevant and economically viable. “It’s not easy. We have to break the current cable paradigm. The successful cases are newly designed companies with novel offers, which have gotten away from traditional video,” said Abbas. He also indicated that in other instances, even NCTC has been forced to rescind their contracts with Latin channels such as GolTV, in order to allow them to negotiate directly with the cable systems and thus obtain better prices.Abbas indicated that another way of including more Hispanic channels is through brokerage companies that represent several Latin programmers. “This is a more efficient way of offering our members a more versatile services package, rather than negotiating 30 or 40 different contracts,” he added.{Watch video interview with Jeff Abbas from NCTC;http://www.produ.com/produtv/popup.html?Noti=4442}