THE management and staff of CNS Channel 6 is observing and celebrating 20 years of operation in Guyana as a television station. According to Mr. Chandranarine Sharma, the owner and founder of the television station, the significant anniversary stimulates reflection.
“Over the years there have been challenges, obstacles and difficulties which were overcome and the station continue to provide information, education and entertainment to its wide cross section of viewers,” Mr. Sharma and his wife Savitree Singh-Sharma said in a press release yesterday.
They noted that the first transmitter as CNS channel 12 took place on June 7, 1992 in very humble circumstances. With limited funds and equipment, the first broadcast started on the eve of June 7, 1992 in a section of Mr. Sharma’s house. He substituted lantern post for an antenna and utilizes boxes for seats and tables. The only other TV stations then in existence were WRHM, VCT and GTV.
According to the Sharmas, broadcasting hours was then limited to 2 – 4 hours per day with the emphasis on Indian movies. The station encourages local talent and there was the emergence of many talented singers and dancers. Local talent blossomed. As the years progressed Mrs. Sharma’s innovativeness and creativity were exemplified with the station presenting for the first time in Guyana, programmes such as:
– Death announcements, In-Memoriam and greeting with photographs
– Call–In Programme where a panel answered questions from ‘John Public’
– Covering local events around the country for example: fires, strikes & floods, also organizing and providing flood reliefs.
– The ‘Voice of the People’ which emerged the most popular TV programme where citizens ventilate their views.
Today, the station has widened its presentations covering international events and transmitting 24 hours a day. The TV station offers employment to 26 persons with a formal structure having Mr. & Mrs. Sharma as Directors and Tyrone Ali as Manager.
“The mission of CNS 6 remains to satisfy the needs of customers through courtesy and excellent services. The management remains optimistic that permission will eventually be given for a relay station so that its transmissions could be picked up in Berbice, Linden and the Interior,” the husband and wife duo stated.
They also took the opportunity, on this 20th anniversary of CNS 6, to thank their customers and staff for their support.