MTV Launch Caribbean TV network tempo

	MTV will Launch Caribbean TV network

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Friday, June 6, 2005

Caribbean Week In New York

MTV to launch Tempo, the new Caribbean Channel announced by MTV

BY Tequilla Minsky, Heritagekonpa Magazine

New Yorkers celebrated "Caribbean Week", an annual event sponsored by the Caribbean Tourism Organization . Caribbean Week is a "celebration of the sights, sounds, colors, cultural delights and vibrancy of the Caribbean."

The 2005 edition of Caribbean Week, which ran from may 29 to june 4, featured the day-long Caribbean Fair at South Street Seaport's Pier, Caribbean Marketing Workshop and Awards Luncheon, and the prestigious Governments of the Caribbean State Ball.

The Caribbean Fair was held on Tuesday May, 31, 2005 at Pier 16, South Street

Herb Scannell -Vice Chairman, MTV Networks and President, Nickelodeon, Judy McGrath-MTV Networks Chairman and CEOJennifer Matarangas-King,President and General Manager of Innovative, Wyclef Jean,Frederick Morton-Tempo

Seaport (New York). The fair featured Caribbean artists such as Wyclef Jean, Rupee, Kevin Lyttle, NORE, Elephant Man, Machel Montano, Doug E. Fresh, Oro Solido and guest appearances with legends such as Mighty Sparrow, Soca star Arrow of Montserrat, the group Morgan Heritage, and many more. There were also display and sale of indigenous products, art and other materials representative of the Caribbean.

Moreover, the fair also celebrated the announcement of Tempo, a new cable television network dedicated to Caribbean music and culture. Tempo will debut in October 2005 in markets across the Caribbean
through its distribution deal with Innovative Cable TV and additional
distributors that will be announced in the coming months. The network
will also be available in North America in 2006.

The new venture, Tempo, will be launched by MTV in partnership with Cable & Wireless , one of the leading international telecommunications company in the world. The 24-hour network will target an audience with a passion for the Caribbean lifestyle. Tempo will be covering entertainment and documentary. The network will also and carry its own distinctive content centers around Caribbean music, food, travel, sports, culture and more.

“Caribbean people are a melting pot of nationalities bound together by a shared history and a strong sense of regional pride. They have a passion for living life which shines through every aspect of the culture, making them and the region compelling to advertisers, visitors and other consumers of Caribbean culture,” said Frederick Morton, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of MTV Networks, who has led the development of the network. “Tempo will be the bridge to this culturally rich and trendsetting community. As a native son of the Caribbean, I am thrilled to be at the forefront of developing what will soon become the ultimate source of all things Caribbean, the ambassador of a dynamic people, a magnetic culture and an undeniably breathtaking destination.”

HAITIAN-AMERICAN hip-hop star Wyclef Jean was appotinted as one of the network's representative in the U.S and Caribbean." As Tempo represents a positive cultural influence for all people of the Caribbean, we are proud to announce a creative partnership with a true ambassador of the Caribbean, Wyclef Jean. We will work with him to develop some original series and documentaries, and look for his expertise to help shape the musical taste and tone of the network. Wyclef's business acumen and creative talent will be a tremendous asset to Tempo, we're proud to have him on board,” said Morton.

This is certainly an extraordinary opportunity for Caribbean music and culture. We hope that the new Caribbean network will not limited itself to just the English speaking nations in the region.

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Notable Caibbean Event

Turks Nac Caicos Culture festival

Music stars Shaggy, Ashanti, Gregory Isaacs, Tabou Combo and Bebe Winans are in the lineup for the Turks and Caicos Music and Cultural Festival scheduled for July 25 through Aug. www.turksandcaicostourism.com.

WORLD STEELPAN MUSIC

SUNDAY JUNE 19th 2005

PAN TRINBAGO Presents the FESTIVAL: WORLD STEELPAN MUSIC

THE THEATER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN TICKETS $44.50 & 59.50 Service Charge Included. INFO: 718-941-0444