NASSAU, The Bahamas — The multi-million dollar digital upgrade of outdated analog television facilities at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (ZNS) will not only improve the quality of on-air presentations, but also reduce operational and maintenance costs, and increase ZNS’ capacity to produce quality, local programmes, Minister of National Security the Hon. O.A.T. “Tommy” Turnquest said Tuesday.
Mr. Turnquest said the digitalisation process will also enhance ZNS’ brand identity; provide a significant improvement in productivity, workflow, creativity; and enhance professionalism.
He said the signing also “advances” the Government’s stated objective “of causing ZNS to become a producer of local programming, using the works of Bahamian writers, directors, artists, musicians, producers, and technicians.”
Officials at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas Tuesday signed a multi-million dollar deal with Kit Digital Inc., a publicly traded digital integration company, with significant expertise and assets, for the upgrade of ZNS’ television facilities from analog to high definition.
“This marks a significant step in ZNS’ development,” Mr. Turnquest said.
Kit Digital has been awarded a $2.4 million ($2,447,081.51) contract to design, engineer and install ZNS’ digital television facility in New Providence. An additional $2.6 million ($2,641,850) has been approved for the acquisition of a mobile TV vehicle, the digital upgrade of ZNS television facilities in Grand Bahama, supplemental works necessary to accommodate the upgrade, and staff training.
The money is part of a $5million allocation the Government of The Bahamas has approved for the overall upgrade of ZNS television facilities from analog to digital.
The last upgrade of ZNS television equipment occurred in 1997 when in excess of $4 million was spent.
Mr. Turnquest, who has oversight of public broadcasting, said the agreement to upgrade ZNS television facilities satisfies the FNM’s 2007 Manifesto commitment to transform ZNS into a 21st century multimedia Corporation.
“ZNS will now be able to operate with state-of-the-art digital television equipment to provide (its) national audience with video and audio capabilities more in keeping with current television industry standards,” Mr. Turnquest said.
“Bahamians everywhere should benefit appreciably from the improved digital television quality.”
Mr. Turnquest said the communications environment has undergone a “radical conversion” to digital technology over the past 14 years, particularly with respect to television.
“Today, television facilities operate in a computer-based environment, however, ZNS TV-13, the national broadcaster, continues to function in the challenging environment of analog technology. Today, we are changing that. This will ensure that ZNS is able to effectively carry out its mandate,” Mr. Turnquest added.
The project, Mr. Turnquest said, comes at a time when the Corporation continues its transformation to a public service broadcast operation to provide improved quality Bahamian-produced digital programming to a national audience.
“A critical factor for success will be the Corporation’s ability to generate sufficient revenue from the private sector to provide sustainable funding of operational and programming needs. This will depend on the ability to produce quality programming in both content and presentation,” Mr. Turnquest said.
“I am pleased to note that particular attention will be paid in this agreement to the training and development of the Corporation’s staff to enable them to take advantage of the new digital technology.
“I wish to express my thanks to the staff for their effort and support. I encourage them to embrace the change that today’s contract signing heralds and I urge them to fully exploit this opportunity to display their creativity and talents through the production and presentation of quality programmes for the benefit of all Bahamians,” Mr. Turnquest added.
By Matt Maura
Bahamas Information Services
