Brief History – BLESS TV
In December 1999 in preparation for the “We Shall Behold Him 2000” Evangelistic Crusade, SDA churches in the area conducted a series of singspiration. On hearing the quality of the musical presentations, Individuals from a cable company in the area, offered the music director for the crusade a free channel on his cable network.
This information was brought to the attention of the Communications Department of the Braeton SDA church. Immediately meetings were held to see how best this offer could be utilized.
In 2000 a Steering Committee was formed comprising members of all the churches in the area. The intention being that BLESS TV would be owned and operated by the SDA churches in Portmore. Budgets were prepared, schedules were drawn up, and grand plans were made for the churches to provide the funding and programming necessary to commence such a venture.
Broadcasting commenced in 2001 on Starcom (who incidentally was not the company which originally offered us the service).
In 2003 Oliver’s Cable Network also gave a free channel, which joined to Starcom, facilitated the service being extended from the Greater Portmore communities to Waterford, some sections of Independence City, Cumberland and Passagefort.
Since 2003 a studio has been temporarily set up at a member’s house (at little or no cost to the churches) until the churches are in a position to set up a studio and purchase the necessary equipment. This facilitates ‘live’ broadcasting, (the Lesson Study Programme on Thursday evenings is broadcast live).
In January 2005 JACS, the biggest cable operator in Portmore, came on board, allowing a 100% coverage of the Portmore area with most households having access to BLESS TV. Additionally, we now transmit to Spanish Town and its environs. This has been facilitated by the purchase of a Fibre Optic Laser Transmitter by Central Jamaica Conference. The feedback and reviews from our viewers have been positive and encouraging.
Objectives:
The overall objective is for BLESS TV to be owned and operated by the SDA Churches in Portmore; becoming a ‘viable’ entity, supported by sponsors and Central Jamaica Conference – promulgating the message of hope to a dying world – wherever that world may be found.