Free government TV not entirely F.R.E.E.
(CNS): Despite the premier’s insistence that the new government TV channel, which is now broadcasting the Legislative Assembly live, is free, anyone wishing to tune in will need to have, at the very least, a basic subscription with WestStar TV. Although the channel is now added to all existing packages with no extra cost, it cannot be picked up via an antenna and viewers will need a cable box. Following a statement on Wednesday about the launch of CIGTV20, McKeeva Bush insisted that the channel was “F.R.E.E. free,” as he spelt out the word in response to questions by the member from East End. While technically it is free to those who are already WestStar customers, it is not free to those who do not have a subscription with the local cable company.
Nevertheless, the new channel and the decision to broadcast the proceedings live, with no delay, should prove a revelation to those who are able to access the channel. The premier said that while Radio Cayman had done a sterling job over the years broadcasting the recordings in the evening, the live TV coverage would give everyone a better understanding of the work of the LA. People would not just hear what their representatives said but see their MLAs at work and observe their demeanour, he said.
It also means that the public watching will see everything that is said and done by all members and striking something from the record will no longer have the desired effect. While the speaker's ruling may prevent comments from reaching the Hansard and the evening broadcast on Radio Cayman, viewers tuning into the live broadcast will seethe proceedings in their entirety.
Speaking about what else will be broadcast on government’s own television channel, Bush said that in time it would show press briefings, public meetings, special events and even public board meetings, as well as its own news bulletin. The premier spoke about the channel opening up opportunities for programmes made by local producers, filling a gap for genuine locally programming, as well as providing a public announcement service for important emergencies.
However, the premier seemed most keen that the channel could be used to broadcast government business and policy without the filter of the local press, which Bush has on numerous occasions accused of spinning government’s message.
“It is just the beginning but before long its value will be evident to all,” the premier said in his announcement in the Legislative Assembly, as the broadcast went live for the first time.
He confirmed that government is not being charged to broadcast the programmes or for the channel and the costs are limited to staff and production. The channel is being managed by Charles Glidden, the premier’s press secretary. Donna Bush will be broadcasting on the shows and GIS is filming and producing the content.
For those that have a cable box, CIGTV is being broadcast on channel 20.
Category: Politics
I hope the incoming government does not abolish this ne Channel 20 for political vendetta.
Donna is precious to all of us and we want her to have a great career and enjoy all the benefits of government ivil servants. Do none of you elected in 2013 has any business disrupting this woman's career or trying to cut channel 20 off. It must prevail.
This is a good thing that government has created. I wish Donna every success, she will do a great job, We love her so much.
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THIS GOVERNMENT is a JOKE.
There is nothing that anyone receives that is FREE,
I REPEAT there is nothing free especially when it comes from the government.
That is why we are in this terrible MESS as this Government believes
the revenue collected is free and they are obligated to waste it freely.
UDP supporters get a lot of stuff free.
Yet another wonderful example of McKeeva logic: it's free once you pay for it. Cayman, I really hope that for your sake that you can do better.
Bush your Caymankind jetti mind control will not work on the educated. Obviously it still works on those you need to keep yourself in control of the islands money.
You guys not missing much, right now I am watching Elio and I must sayhe is not making much of a contribution, all he is doing is talking about Arden, Ezzard and Alden. When will these politicians learn that people are suffering here and none of them seems to give a hoot. Come on guys Caymanians want to see some actions about job opportunities, and the small businessses that are closing because of all the fees and the high cost of doing business. Wake up and smell the pain we are feeling. Elio your time is up now, your boss says we done with the Chinese so why are you still talking about them. Get it through your square head nuff is nuff.
A&E is still on the air…it is now channel 52.
If they wanted to add this "FREE" channel 20, they took off A&E which quite a few people I know including myself are avid watchers.
Who wants to watch them act like school children. We can drive by a school any lunch hour and do that.
Find another channel and bring back A&E, thank you. Cha, we watch that. Put it on channel 10 these days that never works anyway.
Well this is the one time I am glad I only have the free channel. I will be saved from having to watch those idiots carry on like immature school children in the LA.
Mac you are so full of it
Free
Man you need to kneel at another alter which is not made of material gain
Represent us please
Dig deep
Don’t do this to your people
U know better
I pray u will look in that mirror when you are all alone and right the wrongs
Answer my prayers
Interesting, this is being "managed" by the Premier's press secretary? Isn't that another form of censorship?
In any event the whole set-up is a complete waste of tax-payers money, where is the value for money, was that ever established? Perhaps KPMG can do another report to justify it, post-decision as always with the current motly crew? Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh me pure hearties!
Yeah, Mac can spell FREE but he doesn't know what it means, unless it is something for his cronies from our public purse.
How is it F.R.E.E. when we are paying an exorbitant amount to WestStar and the channel that has been assigned to CIGTV is channel 20 which is a channel for which we have always and continue to pay to receive.?
The original programme that was on WestStar Cable Channel 20, A&E is now located on Cable Channel 52.
Perfect example of what the premier says and what is fact is NEVER the same…
for those who don't get it…you are the lucky ones……..
I think it is time for the Cayman Government to enforce the terms of the original franchise agreements and have Weststar Tv provide the four free over the air channels that are called for. The original franchise seekers were required to provide a minimum of two over the air channels (or broadcast channels that can be received with just an antenna and nothing else) and two cable channels (or subscription channels requiring a cable box and payment for service.) Just to refresh your memory;the present Weststar is made up of two of the original francises;Cayman Is Television Network,which operated Cayman 27,and Island Tv which operated Island 24. While we are talking about Wesstar Tv ,I think it is time for them to get some competition as their rates are far too high..In addition ,each customer is allowed one free cable box , with each additional box costing $10 per month.These boxes probably cost Weststar about $100 each,which means that after ten months they are making profit on each of these boxes.As far as I am concerned these boxes should be provided to each cable subscriber at no extra cost ,because Weststar's rates are already so high .
I agree "I think it is time for : 11/8/2012 19.58…… Do you know that Weststar even charge $ 25 for a replacement remote control – least that I was asked to pay when I went to their Office….I told them forget it – I would do without !
I stopped my service because despite changing my antenna several times, changing the boxes, doing all kinds of service calls – I could never get anything but a pixilated picture even when it was not raining…. (which was the one thing they guaranteed as a selling point would never happen)…
Most frustrating when you're in the middle of watching a game or at the Pivotal moment in a Movie……………..
And imagine, I was paying well over CI$ 100 .00 a month ……. In the states, I could have gotten Cable/Telephone and Internet in a package for way less thank that….. (Yeah, I know, we're not in the States and …. 'if it has anything to do with price of rice in Ethiopia'….. I am Caymanian also)…
Anyway, I'm happy not to have this channel with the Premier's ranting and ravings – Free or otherwise !!!
If I want excitement – I'll rant and rave at my Goldfish – I 'think' that should be F.R.E.E. !?? (or should I check with the Premier first ??
Get a cable box.
Read my lips it's F.R.E.E., wha part a da ya don't understan.
How many people have a cable box from WestStar TV? So since I don't have one I will need to pay money to a private company to be able to view the Government TV channel. More expenses again, cost of living going up everyday and salary coming down. I am really disappointed, I was looking forward to see the circus live.
I have satellite TV and have NO INTENTION of subscribing to Local Cable TV. If it is not available over the air, then I won't be watching it. HA!
Wait, maybe I will go to someone's house and watch it. HEHE! Yeah Right!