New York , NY: Over three hundred and fifty media executives and tastemakers from the tri-state area turned out at the Spotlight Live, in Times Square, NY to celebrate the launch of Irie TV Network.
“Using internet protocol television (IPTV) service, Irie TV Network plans to deliver high quality Caribbean programs to millions of households in the Diaspora” Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie TV network told the gathering.
“Fourteen years ago, Irie Jam Radio was born out of the need for delivering quality radio to millions of listeners in the Caribbean community in the tri-state area. It is out of this same need that Irie TV Network is born” Clarke said.
Alwyn Scott, President of Global Media Services and Caribbean Retail Networks, a Jamaican based company which partnered with Irie Jam Media to successfully roll out the digital signage platform in Golden Krust Stores in the tri-state area earlier this year said, “We see the Irie TV platform as the start of a reverse colonization as our regional culture has an international appeal but has never before had an affordable platform on which we could reach into the homes of the world community. Now we do. Our people are already socially and culturally integrated, the areas of separation are political and media. While there have been attempts at integration at these levels progress has been slow. Irie TV Network provides the possibility of accelerating our re-integration.”
After the service was demonstrated on 42” LCD TV monitors, strategically placed inside the venue, Louie Grant, VP of Irie Jam Media explained that the Irie TV Network has the potential to air up to 100 channels and as such this will created tremendous opportunities for Caribbean folks in the Diaspora.
“The launch of this revolutionary concept has created many opportunities for established and aspiring independent content providers; particularly those throughout the USA, Canada and Europe; to be picked-up and aired on the network” he said.
For his part, Grant said he is thrilled that Irie TV Network was able to facilitate the launching of this vital Caribbean television network – the largest of its kind in world. He also remarked that he was particularly moved that equity partner Caribbean Retail Network, as well as associates including Golden Krust, Inc. and DC Digital Media are very excited about the myriad of positive and empowering possibilities which lay ahead. He invited others to be a part of this incredible experience.
Once the formalities were done, Alaine had the large gathering singing along as she performed “Sacrifice,” while Pressure made an impression with “Love & Affection” from his new album of the same name. Cultural singer Luciano and Mr. Vegas also performed.
Among those in attendance were legendary Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander; Chris Chin, CEO of VP Records; Charles Spence, General Manager Sales & Marketing N.A ., Daved Levy, WBLS radio; Garfield Comrie, Western Union; Delroy Thompson, Juice TV; David Cassnova, DC Digital Media; Caribbean fashion designer Morvia Williams; Lowell Hawthorne, Golden Krust Bakery; actor Leon; Courtney Panton & the New Kingston Band; Irwine Clare, Caribbean Immigrant Services; Cristy Barber, Tuff Gong Records; George Walker Hype TV and Johann Dawes of Hype TV.
