| – preparing plan on impending 2015 deadlineAmidst worry over a 2015 deadline for television and radio stations to start broadcasting digitally, a regional body says that it is preparing a comprehensive plan to present to Governments.Currently, the stations along with cable operators are transmitting via the old analog systems with June 17, 2015 set for what is becoming known as the digital switchover.TV, radio and cable broadcasters will have to change equipment, expecting to costs millions,Cheap Jerseys From China, in order to broadcast under the digital system.CBU’s Board of Directors meeting last weekend in Trinidad.In August, the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), of which Guyana is a member, held its 44th Annual General Assembly in Guyana to discuss a number of major challenges, including the digital switchover. The members agreed that a number of small stations may have to close unless mechanisms are introduced that ease the huge costs associated with the process.Last weekend,NBA Jerseys China, the CBU board met in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, to chart its path forward for the coming year against what it says is “a backdrop of a rapidly converging technological and media environment”.Guyana is represented on the CBU’s board by Michael Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN).CBU said that during its board meeting last weekend, it discussed the positioning of the CBU, greater usage of digital platforms,Cheap Stitched Jerseys, the need for more inclusive and comprehensive regional media research, the strengthening of relationships between WICB and CBU’s broadcast membership and the pathway to a digital switchover for the Caribbean’s television market.“On this point, the CBU noted the significant cost to broadcasters and the public on the digital switchover and the lack of clarity by Governments of the region on a policy toward the switchover. Even further, the CBU expressed concern about how such an expensive process would be borne by consumers and broadcasters alike and the need for a wide ranging programme of public education.”CBU disclosed that it has now agreed to develop a comprehensive position paper for broadcasters across the region that can inform a forum which brings together Ministers of Information, telecommunications providers, regulators and other stakeholders.“The meeting also agreed to the framework for the possible strengthening of relations between the WICB and Broadcasters in the region with respect to regional and international cricket. Regarding its positioning, the Union will also carry out a comprehensive review of its by-laws with a view to modernizing, expanding and strengthening the union.”The body, which has representatives stretching from St Maarten to Trinidad, has established four working groups to deal with the critical areas.Last month,Cheap Jerseys Outlet, newly-elected Vice President Gary Allen said that it will cost broadcasters tens of millions of dollars to buy new transmitters and other critical pieces of equipment. “It became very clear to us that across the Caribbean,Wholesale Jerseys From China, digital switchover is going to cost tens of millions of dollars per territory…“With that level of investment that is expected,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, we had an assessment of what new services and new revenue streams are likely to be. 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.”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.Government has said that digital broadcasting is more efficient than the current analog system,Cheap Jerseys From China, allowing several frequencies to be attached to a channel.This is significant as Guyana is currently grappling with several applications for new TV, radio and cable operations but there is just not enough space on the analog spectrum available.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 now hoping to attract newspapers, online media houses and even production companies as members. |
