CBC, CBC, CBC, I am convinced that you exist to torment the citizens of Barbados and to see how far you can push their patience.
I believe when giving a gift, the giver should spend time thinking about the choice. The giver should choose an item that is relevant to the receiver, and it should be something that can uplift and add to the development of the receiver.
I am not convinced that any of the above was taken into consideration as it relates to the gift being presented to Barbadians this month.
Days Of Our Lives, which in my opinion should be renamed Waste Of Our Time, is a programme that does nothing to help in the development of one’s thinking, or to increase one’s capacity to be innovative. Nor is it relevant to the “days” we are living in.
I am one who firmly believes that deejays and programme managers of radio and television stations have significant influence and should therefore be held highly accountable to the society. These individuals are given the opportunity to influence the way of thinking and the behaviour of its citizens. All of this is done through what is produced and broadcast.
Face 2 Face and the People’s Business are currently two programmes offered that I turn on my television for. These programmes stimulate discussion and create an atmosphere where knowledge can be gained.
CBC’s choice and taste of movies, graphics quality and production sets all need work. The Business Report shown during the Evening News reminds me of a “Bajan cook-up”, when you just take things from here, there and everywhere and throw them in a pot and serve them as a meal. The Weather Forecast and the style of delivery have not changed much since I was a child. I encourage CBC to purchase some HD cameras and equipment, so it can at least broadcast in HD.
Let’s get back to the “gift” Waste Of Our Time (Days Of Our Lives). It is your desire, CBC, to show the abovementioned programme on Saturdays from 1 p.m.
to 6 p.m. Are you aware that many of your regular viewers are on Swan Street or Broad Street or picking up their children from lessons or training or standing in supermarket lines at some point during this time?
Are you aware that many children are returning home from lessons or swimming or ballet at this time and are hoping to relax by watching a nice show on CBC, as this station might be their only option?
If, in 2011, this is your strategy to increase your viewership, I would have to conclude that your establishment lacks passion, creativity and innovation, and has lost connection with where the world of media is going and has gone.
I would swear I heard the late Prime Minister while he was Leader of the Opposition criticizing the then Government for not opening the markets for other broadcasting stations to set up in Barbados. Yet when he became Prime Minister his administration did the same thing. I think the time has come for the Government to let go of CBC.
Some have argued that CBC “constantly broadcasts crap” to force people to purchase MCTV. I had MCTV and DirectTV and I discontinued both services. Currently, I prefer to download, purchase or watch movies online or subscribe to online television sites because of their variety, quality and affordability – something I am sure many Barbadians do as well.
I can still remember the days of STV, which provided only five channels: CNN, TNT, Lifetime, Cartoon Network and ESPN. Those were the good days.
If it is CBC’s desire to draw more people to its company, it needs to provide a product that is of excellence. We live in a world of technology and the Internet, and the products we once depended on can now be obtained elsewhere.
CBC, please think about this gift and see if by satisfying the vociferous few you risk losing credibility in the eyes of the passive majority.
• Corey Worrell is a former Commonwealth youth ambassador.
