Become a Member

Thank you for your interest in the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance Inc. (CCSA). Generally, membership is open to facilities-based Canadian television broadcasting distributors.

Each step of the membership application process is summarized below.

Step 1

To begin, please contact Kathy Nutter at (506)-849-1334, ext. 218, or email knutter@ccsaonline.ca to receive the necessary materials, guidance for completing the process and to schedule an introductory phone call.

Step 2

It is much easier for us to share information with each other if both you and CCSA sign a mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Once we have had an introductory phone call, we will send you the NDA to sign and return to us. We will then sign and send you back the fully executed NDA. The quicker you sign and return the NDA, the quicker we can move forward.

Step 3

After this introductory call you will also be sent the following:

  • Potential Member Checklist
  • Membership Application Form
  • An explanation of our main business and some of the terminology we use
  • Non-disclosure agreement

The membership application package includes a statement of CCSA’s membership policies. You should carefully review the policies and membership requirements, especially, the membership criteria, before you submit a completed application form.

PLEASE NOTE: CCSA charges an initiation fee of $25,000 to each new member. This initiation fee is intended to recognize the value that newly admitted members receive as a result of the prior, long-term investment by existing members in the products, services and rates CCSA offers to all members. Applicants should be prepared to pay the initiation fee as a condition of admittance into membership.

Step 4

If CCSA accepts your Membership Application, we will send you:

  • A Membership Agreement for execution to return to the CCSA
  • An invoice for:
    • CCSA’s Initiation Fee and
    • Your first year’s membership fees.

The membership fees are calculated as the product of your total number of video programming subscribers multiplied by a per-subscriber rate established, from time to time, by CCSA’s Board. CCSA membership fees are subject to an annual minimum fee of $2000 plus tax. Your first year’s fees will be pro-rated to reflect the portion of CCSA’s fiscal year remaining at the time you become a member.

Step 5

Once your membership is approved, as indicated by a fully executed Membership Agreement, we will begin setting up your systems in our automated system for payment of television signal supplier wholesale fees. We call that system Single Point Billing, or SPB. Please note that, while your participation in individual CCSA television signal contracts is voluntary, you must pay the wholesale fees for contracts in which you do participate through Single Point Billing.

Step 6

The contracts that CCSA makes with television signal suppliers for the supply of their programming services are called Affiliation Agreements. You participate in individual Affiliation Agreements by signing a brief Assumption Agreement for each such contract. Each Assumption Agreement that you have signed permits you to distribute the relevant programming service to your customers and binds you to the terms of the specific Affiliation Agreement to which it applies.

Once your membership is approved our Contract Administration department will forward information on how to adopt the specific CCSA Assumption Agreements that, based on your channel line-up, would be of benefit to you.

If you have any questions about becoming a CCSA member, or need assistance with the application process, please contact Kathy Nutter at (506)-849-1334 Ext 218 or knutter@ccsaonline.ca.