JTV Receives Apology From Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee Chairman

No Exclusive Livestream Rights Granted To No Media House

Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee Chairman Dirk Walters today July 27, apologised to Jahphix Television (JTV) owner Kelvin Titley and host Cathy Richards who were stopped from broadcasting the July 23 Prince and Princess Show LIVE on social media and escorted by security from the Multi-Purpose Complex in Road Town, Tortola.

During separate conversations with Titley and Richards, the VIFFC Chairman confirmed that no media entity had been granted exclusive rights to live stream the Prince and Princess Show.

During the popular children’s pageant on Sunday afternoon, members of the BVI Festival and Fairs Sub-Committee prevented JTV from livestreaming on Facebook, claiming that another media house had secured exclusive streaming rights.

Despite JTV’s founder Titley’s request to be shown the evidence of the exclusive deal between the Committee and the media house, none was presented.
Additionally, JTV, which is the most followed social media platform in the territory, had received no prior official notification from the Committee regarding broadcast restrictions.

With members of the public watching, the Sub-Committee officials insisted that JTV’s discontinued its live stream and the team removed from the premises by security.

JTV was also told that exclusive rights were also given to the said media entity to livestream all events for the 69th Emancipation Festival with the exception of Miss BVI which will be streamed as a pay-per-view eveny.

Walters acknowledged that there was a misunderstanding on the Committee’s part and that JTV will receive a public apology.

“There was a misunderstanding with the pageant committee,” stated the Chairman. “There is no agreement with anyone for no exclusive streaming rights.”

He further pledged to put measures in place to ensure similar incidents with the media do not occur in the future.

Walters acknowledged the longstanding relationship between JTV and his Committee, and thanked JTV for its commitment to promoting the territory’s culture, especially Emancipation and Easter Festival events, often without compensation.

JTV founder Titley was pleased with the manner in which the VIFFC Chairman dealt with the matter and stressed that JTV is a community-oriented brand positioned to showcase to the world the uniqueness of the territory.

“Emancipation festivals are held to remember our ancestors’ sacrifices, to honour their courage and to celebrate our accomplishments to date. JTV remains dedicated to promoting the territory’s incredible history, but to ensure our stories are told accurately we must work together,” Titley stressed.