NEW YORK – Jamaicans in the United States now have more access to Caribbean television programs, with the official launch on December 4 of the Irie TV Network (ITVN), in New York City.
The service, which will have a decidedly Jamaican flavor in management and content, was unveiled to a wide cross-section of New Yorkers, including business and community leaders, the media and show business personnel.
The network was spearheaded by Robert ‘Bobby’ Clarke, who 14 years ago, also pioneered the start-up of Irie Jam Radio, providing upwards of 12 hours of quality Caribbean programming weekly to an audience of more than one million listeners in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
At the official launch at the trendy Spotlight Live Entertainment Centre in Times Square, Mr. Clarke told the audience that ITVN would use the revolutionary internet protocol television service to deliver a menu of high quality Caribbean programs to millions of households in the Diaspora.
(Left to right) Alwyn Scott, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Caribbean Retail Network: Lowell Hawthorne, President/CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery; Robert ‘Bobby’ Clarke, Irie TV Network and Louie Grant, Irie TV Network, at the launch of the Irie TV Network (ITVN) at the Spotlight Live Club, Times Square, New York
Louis Grant, Clarke’s partner at Irie Jam Media, who also addressed the event, said that the new concept would create opportunities for established and aspiring independent content providers from around the world to air their programs in front of a discerning audience in the comfort of their living rooms or on the road.
“The Irie TV Network has the potential to air up to 100 channels and as such, this will create tremendous opportunities for Caribbean folks in the Diaspora,” he said.
Mr. Grant said he was particularly moved that equity partner Caribbean Retail Network (CRN), as well as associates, including Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill, Inc. and DC Digital Media were very excited about the myriad of positive and empowering possibilities for the future.
Alwyn Scott, President of Global Media Services and Caribbean Retail Network, a Jamaican based company which partnered with Irie Jam Media to successfully roll out the digital signage platform in Golden Krust Stores in the tri-state area earlier this year said: “We see the Irie TV platform as the start of a reverse colonization as our regional culture has an international appeal, but has never before had an affordable platform on which we could reach into the homes of the world community. Now we do.”
Among those in attendance were legendary Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander; Chris Chin, CEO of VP Records; Daved Levy, WBLS radio; Delroy Thompson, Juice TV; David Cassnova, DC Digital Media; Lowell Hawthorne, Golden Krust Bakery; Courtney Panton & the New Kingston Band; Cristy Barber, Tuff Gong Records; and George Walker and Johann Dawes of Hype TV.
