Channel 5 and Love FM plan joint coverage
The politicians are not the only ones gearing up for what appears to be an impending general election. We in the media, in addition to reaping a revenue bonanza that occurs only once every five years, are also making plans for election day. Jacqueline Woods reports on what you can expect from News 5 when the big vote rolls around.
(Clips of 1998 election coverage)
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The 1998 general election not only resulted in a landslide victory for the People’s United Party, but it was the first time that Channel 5 and Love FM united to bring the nation the sights and sounds of the event as it unfolded throughout the day and night on August twenty-seventh.
Stewart Krohn, Managing Director, Great Belize Productions
“The response was overwhelming, both within the country and outside. There was a lot of suspense, emotions were high and I think the kind of coverage we were able to give was just overwhelming.”
Rene Villanueva Sr., General Manager, R.S.V. Ltd.
“It was beyond our expectations. I mean people asked us even from the coverage of the last election, will you guys be doing this again, this is what we like to see.”
Prime Minister Said Musa has not yet announced when the 2003 General Elections will be held, but all indications are that it will be soon. The political parties and candidates have been heavily campaigning, and the media houses have been gearing up for that day. Today, the Managing Director of Great Belize Productions, Stewart Krohn, and the General Manager of R.S.V. Limited, Rene Villanueva Senior, announced that their stations will once again team up to cover the big event.
Stewart Krohn
“Alone, neither Channel 5 nor Love FM could provide the kind of comprehensive election coverage we would like to do. So by combining our resources and making a simulcast on television and radio, we think the viewing and the listening public will get a level of election coverage that is quite extraordinary.”
Rene Villanueva Sr.
“We compliment each other, because as you know radio, Love FM is nationwide, it can be heard throughout the length and breadth of Belize and even beyond our borders. Channel 5 is not as nationwide as Love FM is, but it provides the visual effect for those who receive it on its system. So the visual and audio combined will give listeners perhaps the best election show that they have ever seen.”
Stewart Krohn
“On the television side, we’ll have more reporters and cameras in the field. Our live capability should be somewhat improved. The graphics on the screen should be a little bit quicker, a little bit more up to date, and the internet coverage both Love FM’s continuous live coverage over the internet and Channel 5’s text coverage over the internet should be a very good package for both listeners and viewers in Belize and outside of Belize.”
Channel 5 and Love FM’s joint broadcast of the 2003 general Elections will start at 6:30 a.m. with Love FM’s Morning Show followed by simulcast coverage throughout the day. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
By the end of next week Channel 5 will have its signal expanded to cable subscribers in Corozal, and more viewers in the Stann Creek District will be able to catch our signal over the air via a new transmitter broadcasting from Melinda on Channel 13.
