Enternainment
RTC to Merge with Communications Directorate
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 19, 2023 – Now under the Office of the Premier, several changes will be made to Radio Turks and Caicos including a merger between the station and the communications directorate.
The revelation was made by Shonia Thomas-Been, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Premier during a May 3rd sitting of the Appropriations Committee under questioning from Edwin Astwood, Committee Member and Leader of the Opposition. Astwood was displeased with the optics of the decision to put the national radio station directly under the premier.
“Others who aren’t the Premier, or on his team may see that as a barrier to using the service, because the appearance
of it is that it is communications for the Office of the Premier is not for the entire government or country. That is how it would appear to people,” he maintained.
Astwood requested a guarantee that this would not be the case and PS Thomas-Been responded that the communications directorate was responsible for disseminating information on all areas of government.
“We don’t want the public to be misled because the program objectives are clear that the communications directorate will serve all of the government,” she said.
Another complaint coming from Astwood was the low wages not only for regular work hours but for overtime. Astwood highlighted that with so much asked of the employees who broadcast national events including the House of Assembly live, they should be compensated well.
The PS agreed with Astwood on this count and promises were made of more rounded salary packages for the staff as the department found its footing following its move.
“This budget does not allow for innovation or creativity within Radio Turks and Caicos,” said Thomas-Been, who continued with, “At some point we are going to have to revamp this whole budget so that we heighten the programs, products and services of RTC,” she acknowledged.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
March 9, 2024 – In only its third week after being released on Friday, February 14th, the Bob Marley: One Love biopic is on its way to a huge milestone at the global box office, surpassing the $150 million mark worldwide.
The film is making headlines for its continuous growth in success, being one of the most anticipated films in the world, telling the story of one of, if not the Caribbean’s most famous and most influential musicians during his life and even in death.
According to reports, domestically, One Love generated $82 million and internationally $63 million, totalling a growing $146 million. This past weekend alone, its domestic earnings came up $7 million and nearly 8 million overseas.
Its success is projected to go even further, as it’s about to reach and pass the 150 million dollar mark, especially as it’s about to be launched in a brand new market soon.
Reports say the film has not been shown in any new markets since its release, but is scheduled to debut in several Asian countries this month.
Currently, the United Kingdom is One Love’s largest international market where it managed to bank more than $17 million, followed by France with $12 million and Brazil $4 million. In Jamaica, so far it has earned $600,000.
The film has attracted mixed reviews. For instance, on Rotten Tomatoes, an American review-aggregation website, it’s at 42 percent. However, audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes is at 92 percent as well as a great A CinemaScore from opening day crowds. CinemaScore I’d a market research firm based in Las Vegas.
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