The Department of Information and Broadcasting (Radio Anguilla) has launched an information channel facilitated by Caribbean Cable Communications. The service was inaugurated on Tuesday, January 30.

Farrah Banks, Lee Bertman, Evalie Bradley, Ken Hodge and Don Curtis

President of the Cable Communications company, Lee Bertman, said efforts to establish the radio/television channel were in progress for a very long time. He was delighted that it was now possible to utilise Cable Television for further programming for Anguilla. “This adds a new dimension to providing more service for Anguillians using this very important medium…In my mind, it is only the start of what we can do with Cable Television in terms of local programming,” commented.

Mr. Bertman said there were two factors which made the new information channel both necessary and possible. One was the economic development activity taking place in Anguilla which in turn is helping other capabilities and services to emerge. The other is that unlike in the past when cameras, editing equipment and so on, used to be extremely expensive, they have now become relatively inexpensive. As a result, it is now possible to produce quality programming in way that could not be done before unless there was a large budget available.

“The marriage of a growing Anguilla in sophistication, economic, social capability and social need, has been married to technology,” Mr. Bertman put it. “The launch of the Anguilla Information Channel [77], is just a beginning. My hope and that of others is to expand this into full-scale television programming. It is an important first step and I compliment the folks at Radio Anguilla, Ken Hodge, the Chief Minister’s Office and other people, who have been instrumental [in getting this information channel in operation].”

Principal Assistant Secretary, Evalie Bradley, noted that modern technology was advancing in leaps and bounds and that communications technology was at the forefront of this advancement. She commended Radio Anguilla and Cable TV for their thoughtful and timely initiative to upgrade and modernise the service offered to their customers.

She said that despite the many challenges and constraints Radio Anguilla had been relentlessly making an effort to improve its services. She mentioned the installation of a new FM transmitter, the station’s online programming and now its latest milestone, the collaboration with the cable company for the information television channel. She added that this step was expected to blossom into the establishment of a full-fledged television service later on.

Director of Radio Anguilla, Kenneth Hodge, said it was a very happy day for him and he was pleased with the relationship that had established between Caribbean Cable Communications and his station. He stated that the new and powerful FM transmitter installed last year was not reaching all of Anguilla because of a corroded antenna system. He said the television information channel now made it possible for all persons throughout the island to access Radio Anguilla’s services 24 hours a day. He gave the assurance that later this year or early 2008 there would be a full-service television channel in operation.

“I am happy with this arrangement because it allows our viewers the comfort of relaxing at their television sets and being able to tune in to listen to the local news as well as view all the different job vacancies and other public and private sector events that are taking place in Anguilla,” Hodge said. “I think this is significant because it spells a relationship between radio and television, a significant first for Anguilla.”

Corporate General Manager for Cable Communications, Donald Curtis, was grateful to everyone for attending the launching of the information channel. Following his remarks, Mr. Bertman switched on the channel, bringing on Radio Anguilla’s programming.

The inauguration ceremony was chaired by Radio Anguilla’s Programme Manager, Farrah Banks.

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