Trinidad and Tobago Television

The Trinidad and Tobago Television Company (ttt), (callsigns: 9YL on channels 2 and 9, and 9YM on channels 13 and 14) was a national television broadcaster in Trinidad and Tobago. The company operated two stations, ttt on channels 2 and 13 and Alternative Television on channels 9 and 14. The headquarters of ttt were located at 11 A Maraval Road, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago,^[1] which is now the home of the current state-run television station, C TV. The station was closed at midnight on 14 January 2005.^[2][3]

History

The first ttt logo

On 31 August 1962 the two-island state of Trinidad and Tobago became an independent state within the British Commonwealth. At the same time, ttt, Trinidad and Tobago Television was launched and there were two channels to transmit the service to the two the islands, 2 and 13.

The first events that were shown on ttt were the Flag Raising Ceremony and the Playing of the National Anthem for the Birth of the Nation and the inauguration of television.^[4]

Company information

ttt has been the state-owned television broadcaster for over thirty years from 1962 to 1991. It was the only television operator in Trinidad and Tobago. ttt provided the young nation with its earliest collection of cultural heroes, showcasing the diversity of Trinidad and Tobago's plural society by embracing some of its best exponents of indigenous artistic expression. The station is best known for its cultural presentations such as Mastana Bahar and Scouting For Talent.

Timeline of events

• 31 August 1962 Trinidad and Tobago Television began broadcasting.
• 27 July 1990 The stations were taken-over during the Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt. Several employees, including Raoul Pantin, were held hostage,^[5][5] and the station was used for propaganda by the Jamaat al Muslimeen. Channels 9 and 14 went off the air permanently after this incident.

TTT Anchorman Jones P. Madeira (right) informs the nation that the Jamaat al Muslimeen has taken over the nation on Friday 27 July 1990. Leader of the Jamaat, Imam Abu Bakr (centre) and other members of the organisation look on.

• 13 March 1994 The Trinidad and Tobago Television Company was merged with the state-owned radio company, the National Broadcasting Service. The new entity was called the International Communications Network. The government later acquired the bankrupt AVM Television (AVM Channels 4&16), which it merged with the International Communications Network (ICN) to form the National Broadcasting Network (NBN). The brand-name ttt was retained and AVM Television was renamed The Information Channel (TIC 4&16).
• 14 January 2005 The National Broadcasting Network was shut down. The Information Channel became NCC 4, and ttt Channels 2 and 13 ended their transmissions at 12.00 midnight.^[6][7][8]

Panorama

The station's flagship news programme, Panorama, remains an icon in Trinidad and Tobago, even as the station has gone off the air. For 29 years it was the nation's only evening news programme, allowing the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago access to television pictures from across the country and around the world.

Personalities

ttt launched the careers of several of the most recognized journalists and broadcasters in the Caribbean.

Former staff members

• Dominic Kallipersad - now Head News Anchor at CCN TV6
• Lisa Wickham
• Francesca Hawkins - now News Anchor at CNC3 Television
• Shelly Dass
• Michael Clarke
• Tony Fraser
• Errol Pilgrim
• Sir Trevor McDonald - ITV anchor
• Allyson Hennessy - deceased
• Terrance Greaves - deceased
• Horace James
• Mervyn Telfer - first ttt News Anchor
• Melina Scott
• Dale Kolasingh
• Hazel Ward-Redman - deceased
• Holly Betaudier - deceased 17 July 2016
• Sham Mohammed
• Salisha Ali
• Jai Parasram
• Bobby Thomas
• Jones P Madeira
• Gideon Hanoomansingh
• Anthony Harford
• Robin Maharaj - weatherman
• Debbie Lewis-DeGannes
• Hansley Ajodha - presenter at WIN TV
• Clyde Alleyne
• Ashford Jackman

Other notable presenters include Peter Minshall, Ann Austin, Barry Gordon, Freddie Wharwood, Errol Chevalier, Hans Hanoomansingh, Raffie Knowles, Don Proudfoot, Farouk Muhammad, Lloyd Roehler, Brian Carter, Sharon Coward, Ruskin Mark, Terrance Greaves, Vaughn Salandy, Gary Moreno, Josanne Leonard, John Victor, Afzal Khan, Bernard Pantin. Technical staff included Victor Daniel, Shaffick Mohammed, Errol Harrylal, Wellington Yen Chong, Carl Narine, Geddes Jennings, Kenrick Grannum, Stephen Lee Pow, Charles Deighton Parris, Thomas Mora, Oneal Davis, V Dave Surajdeen, Peter Singh, Mario George, Grantley Ogiste, Tony Salandy, Buffy Sinanansingh.

Network slogans

• it's yours! (1962–2005)

References

External links

• ttt pioneers blog
• Facebook Group - remembering ttt
• ttt Pictures