Net Vasquez axes connection with Centaur Cable

Still on news in the industry, the nationalization of Telemedia is already sending shockwaves through cable subscribers from Orange Walk and Corozal. One of the casualties is Centaur Cable Station in Orange Walk, which is owned by P.U.P. leader John Briceño and his family. Since Tuesday’s appointment of the new chairman and owner of Channel Seven, Nestor Vasquez, directed Channel Broadcasting Cable to remove Channel Seven from northern cable operators. Interestingly, the directive was written by Dean Molina, Telemedia’s in-house attorney. But why this change? News Five spoke with Chief Operating Officer of Centaur Cable network, Errol Cattouse, who says these changes come directly from the Channel Seven/Net Vasquez camp.

Errol Cattouse, Chief Operating Officer, Centaur Cable
“One change that has occurred was that Centaur has been a company that has tried to air as many local news program or any local program as possible. And a year ago, we recently got a connection from Belize City where it had afford us the luxury of airing all the local channels to our customers. What has happened since the B.T.L. takeover, we had a directive from B.T.L.—the new chairman of B.T.L.—instructing us to remove the channel 7 News off our line-up.”

Marion Ali
“Was any reason given for this and can you call a name as to who gave the instructions?”

Errol Cattouse
“Well, we received an email from the director of B.T.L.”

Marion Ali
“Who is that?”

Errol Cattouse
“The new director of B.T.L. as we all know it is Nestor Vasquez.”

Marion Ali
“Can you say what reasons were given?”

Errol Cattouse
“Well, Mister Vasquez owns a cable company here in Orange Walk—he is a direct competitor here and he believes that by airing on us—putting Channel 7 on our network gives us an advantage over him.”