CVM's CEO promises better coverage of Olympics

Following complaints from some members of the public that they have been unable to receive CVM's broadcast of the London Olympic Games, the television station's CEO Al Edwards has committed to ensuring quality coverage to as many Jamaicans as possible.

In a statement yesterday, Edwards indicated that while the vast majority of Jamaicans were enjoying CVM's coverage of the Olympics, he regretted that there were pockets of individuals in various parts of the country who were not receiving the broadcast.

Edwards comments come days after the Broadcasting Commission ordered CVM to improve the level of coverage across the island.

The commission had issued a notice of breach of licence to CVM, arguing it had failed to live up to its obligation to provide islandwide coverage, particularly of the Olympic Games.

Hefty sums spent

But Edwards stressed that the company has spent hefty sums to ensure quality coverage.

"To ensure that Jamaicans had the opportunity to view the Olympics, CVM, with the support of sponsors, spent hundreds of millions of Jamaican dollars to acquire the rights to bring coverage of the Olympics to Jamaicans," he said in his statement.

Edwards added that the efforts to acquire the broadcast content were amplified with further investments in technical infrastructure. He said a significant amount of the funds were spent directly on ensuring the broadcasts reached as many Jamaicans as possible.

"To this end, we engaged an overseas consultant, added, upgraded and relocated equipment and conducted further tests of coverage," Edwards said. "In tests of more than 200 distinct locations across the country, not one location with no coverage was identified and actions were taken to improve the coverage in locations with poor coverage."

As part of its coverage of the Olympics, Edwards added that CVM was also providing for free, public viewing on jumbo screens in the centres of Montego Bay, St James; Mandeville, Manchester; Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland; Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, and Ocho Rios, St Ann.