Regional Media Companies

Caribbean Broadcasting Union

The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) represents both public and private broadcast systems in the English, French, Spanish and Dutch speaking Caribbean. Associate membership has been granted to some organizations based in and out of the region, which provide services essential to broadcasting and to the interests of the CBU.

The objectives of the CBU are to promote the interest of broadcasting among members through: (1) development and execution of broadcasting projects and programs relevant to the social, economic and cultural well-being of Caribbean countries; (2) collaboration with members in the training of personnel, and taking other measures for the improvement of their broadcasting operations; (3) promotion of professional standards and ethics, and the support of international arrangements relating to the regulation of broadcasting and other forms of electronic communications; (4) development of suitable areas of co-operation among members, including the production and exchange of broadcasting material; (5) representation of members in dealing with other organizations and interests, including negotiation of broadcasting rights and arranging coverage; (6) marketing and sale of programs, publications and services to member organizations and persons regionally and internationally; (7) collection and dissemination of information on all aspects of broadcasting and other electronic communication; and (8) promotion of regional awareness and integration through any and all of the above and other means.

Caribbean Media Corporation

In June 2000, the Caribbean News Agency (CANA) and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) merged their commercial operations to form the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). The intention was to capture the synergies of the two organizations to increase and improve the quality of news, information and entertainment products, while keeping with their mandate to serve the Caribbean and promote and deepen the integration efforts of member-states of CARIFORUM.

CMC is a regional multi-media organization dedicated to excellence in communications services through radio, television, print and new media services. The Corporation provides media services to clients across the Caribbean, North America and in Europe. From Belize in the north to Guyana in the South, CMC aims to service the region and bring the world to the Caribbean.

Like their parent companies, CANA and CBU, did for a combined period of over 50 years, CMC continues to upgrade their media skills in journalism, publishing and technical services. CMC expands services through satellite delivered media services for radio and television and has a team of over 15 full-time and contract employees who are committed to the enhancement of the regional entertainment, journalist and program development process.

CaribVision

Caribvision is a 24-hour Caribbean TV channel that officially launched in August, 2006. It’s slogan is "The Eyes and Ears of the Caribbean", and it is the new flag ship of the Bridgetown-based Caribbean Media corporation, the CMC. CMC, the commercial operation formed by a merger of the Caribbean News Agency and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, intends to showcase the best of the region.

Caribvision, which is beamed to over 10 regional countries and North America, features the work of several partners, including the CBC in Barbados and other member stations in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Cuba.

TEMPO, An MTV Network

Launched in November 2005. TEMPO is the newest channel from MTV Networks, the force behind channels like MTV, VH1, NICK, TVLAND, Comedy Central and SPIKETV. TEMPO is the first and only network dedicated to all things Caribbean—music, culture, travel, community, sports, and so much more. TEMPO is a music driven lifestyle channel for Caribbean people and for lovers of Caribbean culture.

Systems covering 20 Caribbean countries – including Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman, Curacao, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and the U.S. Virgin Islands – will carry TEMPO on an expanded basic level of service to more than 300,000 homes.

TEMPO airs a mix of original and acquired programming – including series, specials, movies, documentaries and sporting events – that is vibrant, relevant to its audience and true to the spirit of the Caribbean and its culture. TEMPO is partnering with, among others, Wyclef Jean, an ambassador of Caribbean lifestyle and culture, to create original series and specials — offering the unique point of view that is Caribbean, providing you access to one of the Caribbean's most vocal supporters.

As a responsible member of the Caribbean community, TEMPO firmly believes and recognizes that knowledge is power. TEMPO is committed to educating its audience about issues that affect their communities. TEMPO is working with the local creative community to create Caribbean-focused HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness messaging, including PSA campaigns and programming. TEMPO seeks to further this campaign through even more comprehensive media outreach. In addition to messaging, TEMPO will be offering observation data and analysis to uncover the factors influencing vulnerability to HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean community. Some of the factors that will be explored are cultural and behavior patterns (such as early initiation of sexual acts and taboos related to sex and sexuality), gender inequality, lack of confidentiality, stigmatization and economic needs.

BBC Caribbean Service

The BBC Caribbean Service reaches more than a million people through 50 partner FM stations across the English-speaking Caribbean and on shortwave to the wider English, Spanish, and Dutch Caribbean. A team of about half a dozen people in London and a dozen correspondents across the Caribbean and the US work on special programs and website information to keep Caribbean people up to date with news that affects their region, their global role, their business abroad and the Caribbean diaspora.

The BBC Caribbean Service’s flagship program is the evening edition of BBC Caribbean Report. This news and current affairs program brings decision makers, players, and the public together to discuss the news events of the day. In addition, two morning editions of BBC Caribbean Report set the pan-regional news agenda for Caribbean listeners during morning drive-time.

BBC Caribbean Magazine is a popular cultural, current affairs and entertainment program reflecting the cultural influences of the Caribbean while the daily morning program BBC Sports Caribbean is compiled by World Service Sports for a Caribbean audience.

Launched in 2003, BBC Caribbean Interactive has moved from a pilot phone-in program during the Iraq war to become a quarterly fixture, attracting calls from the Caribbean and its diaspora to discuss topics ranging from Caricom at forty years old to World Aids Day. E-mails and faxes have come from the Caribbean but also as far afield as the UK and Alaska.