The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative said it would hold rates for its expanded basic programming package at 2008 levels. NRTC does collective programming deals for small telcoTV providers. The Herndon, Va., co-op said it was freezing rates on expanded basic to keep its members from having to raise subscriber rates.
NRTC has 70 programming agreements with more than 40 companies for more than 350 broadcast and cable video and audio channels. As more channels are picked up through negotiations, members can go online and access contracts. NRTC’s programming deals include the rights for telcos to carry the programming in both IPTV and analog formats over fiber, copper or coax, and for video-on-demand where it’s available.
The co-op has around 1,400 members.
