REBRANDED TTT COSTS TAXPAYERS $45 M IN 3 YEARS

THE re-branded Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT), which has turned three years old, has already set back taxpayers by $45 million. 

But Chief Executive Officer, one David Roberts, has been bragging about the success of the State-owned broadcaster. 

Roberts issued a statement, which TTT and the three radio stations broadcast like the hourly newscast. 

“The rebranding of TTT Limited commenced three years ago for a better Trinidad and Tobago,” he stated. 

But the Maraval Road-based company has been a major financial drain on taxpayers. 

At its launch in 2018, the broadcaster was given $10 million to meet operating expenses and $5 million for “strategic development.”  

A total of $16.6 million was allocated in 2020, and $15 million in the current year. 

Communications Minister Symon de Nobriga recently said that “TTT has risen to the occasion.” 

At the re-launch of the company in August 2018, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said that TTT would be “the gold standard in broadcasting.” 

A recent survey found that TTT’s viewership was lower than Tobago’s Channel 5. 

The company has also not attracted much advertising revenues. 

The broadcaster provides extensive reporting of Government activities, often replaying the coverage at prime time.