NBN’s last lap without fanfare

NO special programmes will be aired on Friday, the last day of operations at the National Broadcasting Network (NBN), but a statement will be made by the chairman or acting chief executive officer on the closure. Newsday learnt yesterday that plans to go out with a bang with a live show from the gazebo fell through. Head of News Errol Pilgrim yesterday said there will be a longer edition of the Morning Show on Friday, and at the end of the Panorama newscast, the unknown faces will be revealed.

He said those persons would only have been known by their names appearing in the credits. He said the network will go off the air at midnight. There is also expected to be a statement on the closure by Chairman Ulric Warner, or acting CEO Dominic Beaubrun. According to Pilgrim, the staff has been amazingly performing their duties without any undue worry about their future. Meanwhile, Newsday sources said former senior manager Bert Hinkson has been contracted to lead the production team to air the online games, Play Whe, Lotto and Cashpot on The Information Channel (TIC) Channel Four from Saturday, January 15.

Hinkson will also choose from a pool of NBN workers to assist in the airing of Carnival programmes. Newsday was told, however, that the programmes to be aired will depend on what the National Carnival Commission wishes to broadcast. Attempts to contact Beaubrun were futile. Yesterday NCC Chairman Kenny De Silva said negotiations regarding the television rights for Carnival events were at a delicate stage and by tomorrow an announcement will be made.