NASSAU, Bahamas — Executive Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB) Picewell Forbes on Monday night accused Cable Bahamas of “intruding” on ZNS’ broadcast of the Boxing Day Junkanoo parade, The Nassau Guardian reported in an article on Wednesday, December 28.
In a statement released during the parade, Forbes said, “Tonight’s intrusion on the broadcast of the 2022 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade by Rev Cable Bahamas and its company Aliv by placing a message redirecting viewers of the ZNS Network to their Channel 212 is further proof of the fundamental issue of having a cable provider competing with the broadcast services they are tasked to carry.”
Forbes added, “This move by Cable Bahamas occurred without any discussions or agreement with The Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas.
“This is an anti-competitive approach that has negatively impacted the satisfaction of our contractual obligations with advertisers and sponsors. Our broadcast was blocked at 6 p.m. and was blocked for more than an hour.”
Forbes said the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) will be notified “of this conscious and deliberate action by REV Cable Bahamas on behalf of its companies”.
“The Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas takes the view that competition is good for the industry and good for our country,” Forbes continued.
“However, we condemn these actions that seek to deprive the public of the best Junkanoo presentation as done by The Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas. We are seeking to have this matter resolved to the benefit of our loyal viewers.”
When contacted yesterday for Cable to tell its side of the story, a senior company official said a statement on the matter will be released today. See Nassau Guardian article at https://thenassauguardian.com/zns-accuses-cable-bahamas-of-blocking-its-junkanoo-coverage/
