Channel Broadcasting Cable in tandem with BTL continues to block Channel 7
and KREM’s television signals in communities in western Belize. And today
the Belize Broadcasting Authority held an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.
The BBA issued a release this evening making it clear that by the terms of its
license, CBC is obligated to carry all local channels, including Channel 7 and
KREM television to households that have its cable.
It’s called the “must-carry rule” and CBC says it has been
complying by carrying Channel 7 and KREM at mile 8 community and Hattieville,
those communities where its signal is receivable over the air. But that’s
not what the terms of the cable operators license say. The terms stipulate that
even if the channels are not available over the air in a certain area the cable
company “shall use its best efforts to obtain the existing on-air
and independent local television programs.”
By the interpretation of the Broadcasting Authority, that puts the onus on
the cable company to get those signals. And the fact is, it already has the
signals available in those areas, but CBC is presently blocking them out of
the cable that goes into residences because that what Telemedia wants. The Broadcasting
Authority release closes by saying that it expects all operators to comply with
the terms of its license immediately.
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