Where’s the Caribbean CONTENT?

October 22, 2007

Jamaica-We’ve heard it from friends and read the press releases of all of these Jamaican and Caribbean IPTV companies that have launched, offering authentic Jamaican and Caribbean content online. Great that we now have oodles of distributors, channels to choose from, with only one issue…where’s the content?

The fact is that most Caribbean radio,tv,cable carry a steady diet of Americana. As a region we don’t create, package professionally and distribute enough origial content to feed the content needs of the many online distributors that are popping up now. In fact our biggest content creating industry is music and even so we stretching it. The biggest creator and distributor of original content is TEMPO, they learnt from their predecessor who waited for Godot, waited on the music industry to produce that content. It didn’t happen, they died.

The winners in the IPTV, Caribbean radio and tv online will be those who create their own content consistently or form partners with the myriad of original content creators in the region and in the Caribbean Diaspora. That said, it’s a great opportunity for idea gods with a sense of what is great content and make an impact. The technology is cheaper, digital cameras, iMacs or laptops with editing software are cheaper and more accessible to everyone, just comes down to the better ideas. He who was the best and most consistent content wins. Content is still King baby!

Check out: www.cbtv1.com, jam247.tv,realvibez.com, www.kariblinktv.com

Comments

6 Responses to “Where’s the Caribbean CONTENT?”

Esteban Agosto Reid on October 23rd, 2007 1:01 am

Where is the Caribbean Content is definitely an interesting question? Apparently,the paucity or dearth of content with respect to supply seems problematic, despite the numerous distributors and channels which/that are currently available.Also,what is being produced locally or regionally is not necessarily of high quality or standard.One is also of the view that technology may not necessarily be the major issue,barrier or obstacle in terms of content creators.Notwithstanding,one is of the perspective that the lack of content is based more so on the crisis of creativity,imaginativeness,ingenuity,and innovativeness coupled with a lack of thorough un derstanding of the original local and regional content required by the foreign markets in terms of demand and counter penetration as alluded to in an earlier post.Hopefully,these issues will be transcended and resolved in the short to medium term by content creators in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.RESPECT !
David Mullings on October 30th, 2007 10:59 pm

About time somebody asked this question. Yes we do have soap operas that came from Trinidad and Jamaica - but original content has decreased dramatically - just look at Jamaica - we used to have Oliver, Lime Tree Lane, Titus, Punchinello, Hill and Gully, Rappin’ and more - ALL GONE

I believe that the question generates two responses, a question and an answer:

(1) Who is profiting by creating original content? I know for a fact that TEMPO is not profitable and even MTV has distanced itself from the channel (search anything about MTVNetworks, even on their own site and they mention every channel, including their new hispanic Tres and MTV China, but no Tempo)

RJR’s acquisition of RE TV was major because it showed faith in locally produced content and Synergy in Trinidad has been stepping it up - but all these content producers need more support from investors, govt. and then leverage technology to reach a wider audience (IPTV comes to mind)

(2) The Caribbean content is being created slowly and under the radar. Witness the struggling film industry - we will soon be able to put together a triple-digit local movie catalog (still in low double-digits).

Who wants to start a “Caribbean Content Fund” to provide funding for content creators and then share in the profits?
owen on November 14th, 2007 1:38 am

there is nothing I hate like tempo
Nick on January 25th, 2008 12:42 am

Great blog. We are gearing up to produce original content at DancehallSoca.TV Caribbean Lifestyle Media

There are also a few others like IrishandChin.com who will also be launching IPTV channels with all original content
Ingrid Riley on January 25th, 2008 2:54 am

Thanks for the heads up Nick. I look forward to alot more of the Caribbean online this year. Here’s hoping too that you guys make money as well. Keep us posted.
Andel on February 13th, 2008 2:11 am

True content is needed definatley, but for now its slowly getting there… With the launch of www.caribcast.tv an iptv network .. It will push the producers for content and look for new up and comming producers cause tthis is an avenue for them to get there content out there.