Apr 2009 Financial News

Gayelle to carry CNC3 news

Apr 02, 2009

CNC3’s newscast at 7 pm will now be simulcast on Gayelle the Channel. Gayelle announced on Tuesday that it was closing its newsroom, with effect from March 31, 2009, and paying severance to 16 displaced news staff. Based on a strategic alliance with CNC3 which was formalised yesterday, viewers of Gayelle will now see the CNC3 news at 7 pm in the time slot of Gayelle’s former newscast. Managing Director of the TPCL Grenfell Kissoon stated that CNC3 (a division of TPCL) was happy with the strategic alliance. The official signing ceremony took place yesterday, in the boardroom of TPCL, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain.

Among those present at the signing ceremony were TPCL’s managing director Grenfell Kissoon, executive director of Gayelle The Channel Errol Fabien, TPCL’s deputy managing director Brandon Khan, CNC3’s General Manager Cyntra Achong, CNC3’s engineering and operations manager Anthony Seegobin and Rosemarie Sant, Head of CNC3 News. Kissoon said that CNC3’s signature programme was its news, and over the past three years the station had built a reputation of news leadership through its compelling content, high quality presenters, and overall professionalism.

He expressed the view that Gayelle’s choice of CNC3 as its news provider over all other available options in the industry was testament to the quality of the CNC3 news product. He said he recognised and respected Gayelle’s strength in the production of local culture- and community-based programming and was happy to complement their offering with news programming, in which CNC3 had distinguished expertise. In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Gayelle’s head of news Paolo Kernahan said, “Dismal survey figures coming out of Flow, coupled with falling advertising revenue since January, led to the closure of the news department.”

Yesterday, Fabien said, “CNC3 news best represents and reflects T&T. The substance of its (CNC3’s) newscast fits the format of good news.” He said the continued move was the only way forward for consolidation of resources. Fabien said all other programming would remain unchanged. He also said viewers could anticipate a similar situation with radio stations. Fabien added: “I feel some radio entities will merge resources so they can continue to exist, probably even seeing some stations changing hands or divesting interests.”

CNC3’s general manager Cyntra Achong said yesterday’s official signing of the partnership agreement “marks a significant turning point within the media landscape in Trinidad and Tobago.” Commenting on the alliance between the media houses, Achong said, “The fact CNC3 and Gayelle have come to an agreement to share a single newscast speaks volumes for the potential of collaboration.” Achong added: “This deal represents a genuine desire to see the local media industry mature and grow. We certainly do not see Gayelle as a competitor.” She also said, “In fact, Gayelle management recognises the CNC3 news product as the leading news in T&T.

She said Fabien had stated: “Given the fact the CNC3 news contains the most local content among any newscast available in CNC3, it allowed our decision to partner with CNC3 to be an easy one.” She added: “While we will continue to focus on different markets, the economics of putting together the most competitive newscast really dictates measures of cooperation in moving forward.” He also said losses due to the economic downturn had hastened their decision to speed up the process.


Source:
Michelle Loubon
Trinidad Guardian
Thursday April 2, 2009

http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/04/02/gayelle-carry-cnc3-news