The Cayman Islands government-broadcasting channel is set to start soon. Monday 5^th November was the date that has been mentioned but nothing official sent by way of a press release to us until late Monday afternoon.

One would have expected a big fanfare on its first broadcast but there has only been a whimper.

The Cayman Islands Government Television (CIGTV) will begin live coverage of the Legislative Assembly proceedings, the Premier’s press secretary, Charles Glidden, has confirmed. Unfortunately, there were problems as the Press Release confirms:

CIGTV20 On WestStar Cable:  Technical Problems Prevents LA Coverage

“The new Government television channel, CIGTV20 successfully sent test signals to the WestStar cable system beginning at midnight last night. Unfortunately CIGTV20 was unable to provide live coverage of the Legislative Assembly today as planned because of a technical problem with the remote connection to the cameras in the Legislative Assembly. CIGTV20 will air recorded programs tonight beginning at seven with a statement from Premier McKeeva Bush concerning the Frame Work for Fiscal Responsibility and the cruise port facility.

“The video cameras in the Legislative Assembly send video feed and are controlled via fibre optic cable between the Government Administration Building and the Legislative Assembly Building. While video was able to be received at the studio control room in GAB, the cameras at the LA could not be remotely manipulated. Engineers are working to resolve the problem in time to cover the LA when it resumes on Tuesday.

“Instead of the planned repeat of the morning session of the Legislative Assembly this evening, CIGTV20 will begin its evening programming tonight at 7 with a statement from the Premier followed by a series of GIS Spotlight shows at 7:20pm. The Premier’s statement repeats at 8:05. At 8:25 a recorded news conference announcing public consultation for the Strategic Plan for Education will be broadcast.”

End

In an earlier statement Mr. Glidden said, “Recorded coverage will be repeated a number of times to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to view the proceedings.”

Mr Glidden disclosed plans also call production of two weekly programmes, namely A Word With the Premier and Ministerial Journal as well as a daily Government News Update.  A Word With the Premier and Ministerial Journal are interview/talk show formats and Ministerial Journal will feature a different Ministry each week.

The first Government News Update will start airing on 26 November and will be a news format show of five to 10 minutes, featuring developments in government.

The other programmes will be added each week.

There will also be weather forecasts and a bulletin board of community events presented using graphics. GIS Spotlight, archival footage and news conferences will also be broadcast.

“Once the channel is launched, work will begin on developing more programmes. In the medium term, the aim is to have programming that includes coverage of proceedings of legislative committees and Government Boards that are open to the public; community access programmes such as religious programmes and productions from independent producers; arts and cultural programmes; special events such as Heroes Day and the Agricultural Show; features on Government Department initiatives; sports; and shows featuring information/education on subjects such as health and agriculture. Of course, CIGTV will be available for broadcasting emergency information,” Mr Glidden stated.

CIGTV’s room and studio are located in GIS on the second floor of the Government Administration Building. GIS will offer technical support and CIGTV will be broadcast via the WestStar cable network on channel 20.

CIGTV will soon come.