Latest update February 22nd, 2025 2:00 PM
Latest News
- $277.9M Mabaruma Magistrates’ Court commissioned at Mabaruma
- Min. Indar scolds contractors over unsanctioned works days after VP Jagdeo called out ministry’s shoddy management of construction sites
- White House expects Ukraine to sign critical minerals deal soon
- Simplify cash grant distribution processes
- Peacemaker chopped after intervening in argument
Bleak outlook for regional broadcasters…CBU warns of hardships as $$M needed for digital switchover
Four days of meetings involving top regional broadcasters on the all-important mandatory switch to digital technology are over and the findings are not good.
It will cost tens of millions of dollars, say officials of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU).
During a press conference yesterday, newly-elected Vice-President, Gary Allen, said that “it became very clear to us that across the Caribbean, digital switchover is going to cost tens of millions of dollars per territory…with that level of investment that is expected, we had an assessment of what new services and new revenue streams are likely to come on stream, and we are very concerned that those persons who have already done digital switchover as well as integrators themselves, did not have very good news for us about proven, possible new revenue streams that we can look forward to.”
From left: CBU’s Secretary General, Patrick Cozier; Vice President Gary Allen, President, Shida Bolai and Board Member, Michael Gordon, speaking to the press.
June 17, 2015 is the deadline when the old analog broadcaster system is to be phased out.
During the press conference at the International Conference Centre, Allen, according to a Government release, noted that if the timelines that some of the regulators spoke of are facilitated, then this may lead to significant dislocation of the television media sector at both the business and consumer levels.
“At the business level, we do not have the kind of absorptive capacity to fund the kind of investment that is needed.”
Since none of the jurisdictions that are yet to make the transition can afford to fund this investment from their operations, then it is likely that debt will have to be incurred in this regard and this will lead to a reduction of profitability for organisations.
It was recognised that focus also needs to be placed on public awareness, to give consumers enough time to find funds to purchase new television sets. Some of the old sets will not be able to receive signals in the new digital broadcasting system.
The CBU urged policymakers in the region and regulators to engage broadcasters meaningfully with a view of developing a workable plan within a certain timeframe to aid in the successful transition from analog to digital.
Another concern was also raised with regards to West Indies Cricket. Broadcasters in the region have been complaining about a trend whereby some regional cricket properties are no longer available to broadcasters to carry live. In this regard, the CBU resolved to seek an audience with the West Indies Cricket Board to discuss possible solutions to this issue.
Meanwhile, CBU Secretary General, Patrick Cozier said the conference has turned out to be one of the most engaging. He commended the organisers and the Government of Guyana for arranging a well planned event. He said with the changing media landscape, broadcasters must be reminded it is more important to be accurate than first. He added that, “an informed citizenry is the gatekeeper of a progressive democracy.”
The news would be bad for several media houses in Guyana which are privately owned and operate on a shoe-string budget.
Thus far, only the United States and a few European countries have completed this process. Several Caribbean countries, including Guyana, are still to make this transition.
Meanwhile, CBU elected a new board with Guyana’s CEO of the National Communications Network (NCN), Michael Gordon; Pulita Olivieri from St. Vincent and the Granadines; Beulah Jonas from St. Maarten; Edwin Lightbourne from the Bahamas; a representative from STARCOM Network in Barbados and representatives from Belize and Suriname included.
Shida Bolai was re-elected as the President. Bolai said yesterday that the CBU was able to accomplish a lot at the conference.
She said that going forward, the work of the CBU will include a comprehensive review of its membership and its bylaws, to make them more relevant in light of technological changes.
Since the opening of the conference, the members heard presentations from a number manufacturers and representatives from the American and European Standards.
Over 80 delegates took part in the conference.
The CBU was formed in 1970 with a view to stimulating the flow of broadcast material among the radio and television systems in the Caribbean region.
The organization is hoping to attract newspapers, online media houses and even production companies to become members.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The clock and the cloud
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Time, as the ancients knew, is a trickster. It slips through the fingers of kings and commoners... more
CARICOM Nations Should Respond Together To new U.S. Policies
By Sir Ronald Sanders Ambassador to the US and the OAS, Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News-Two Executive Orders issued by U.S.... more
Weekend Cartoon
