An “Oops” Moment in Steelband Panorama 2010

Who Is Responsible??!!

Global - A funny thing happened on the way to this year’s steelband music Panorama internet broadcast.  It got lost, and found, and lost again, and then resurfaced - for some.  Talk about “mass media confusion.”  And yes, ‘confusion’ would be the operative word to describe the online broadcast fiasco of the 2010 steelband music Panorama event by the Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG).  The end results were massive migraines, many disheartened customers and frustration for many partakers and curious people from all over the world, interested in the carnival season internet stream of which the Panorama finals event was part.  Moreover an opportunity to expand and cultivate a global base was squandered and even permanently impaired.  In this “must” forum, the stakeholders were never able to establish or exact professionalism at the highest order.

When Steel Talks’ concern was immediately heightened when, for two days, the event description next to which the Panorama Pay-Per-View option was posted, had absolutely nothing to do with the Panorama - not the case for the other three events.  It was probably a sign of things to come. The description was eventually changed after When Steel Talks (WST) alerted the event marketing authorities of this egregious error.

It would be easy to blame Pan Trinbago, CNMG, iMedia Caribbean, or even the Cultural Ministry of Trinidad and Tobago for their shortcomings.  How could Pan Trinbago not know that this episode, as scripted, would have an adverse effect on their prized product, Panorama?  How could CNMG not know that they lacked the technical infrastructure to handle the online crush of interested parties, and subsequent professional and dedicated customer service personnel - if something went wrong? How could iMedia not know that its promotional and advertising scheme - at least for the Panorama component - had nothing to do with the realities of how the global steelpan community operates and communicates?  And how could Trinidad’s Ministry of Culture not know this venture was simply a bad move given what was (or not!!) in place?

Live! and in vivid text exchanges, WST and the rest of the world watched the drama play-out over the internet in the most public manner.  Three days’ worth of drama.  And, in of all places, CNMG’s own Facebook Connect for the whole world to see.  At times it was comical, humorous and strange - but most times it was unbelievable and painful.  Talk about having your dirty laundry hung out in public.

Embarrassing!!

Ordering and viewing the panorama on the CTNTWorld.com site was an exercise in frustration and extreme futility for many.  Believe it, When Steel Talks tried - and tried.  People descended on the CTNTWorld.com site with anticipation, excitement and exuberance.  That quickly changed to disbelief, disappointment, disillusionment and then, ultimately - rage.  And the callous disregard experienced by many became the theme of the night.  As we all know by now CNMG - the parent company for Trinidad media outlets Talk City 91.1fm and CTNTWorld.com Television - had secured exclusive broadcast rights to this year’s major Trinidad and Tobago carnival events.  On the surface it seemed like a shrewd business move - if you can deliver the goods.  However, this would be prove far from the case.

The Soca Monarch 2010 Finals was the first event up on Friday evening for the carnival season.  Indeed, as WST monitored the internet chatter as early as 24 hours prior, there was much doubt expressed by the audience, based on their prior experiences, that this could be done without a hitch.  However, it was clear they were willing to give it a try.  There only concern was that they receive fair value for their investment -  US$19.95 per event.  Many people opted for the “Carnival All Inclusive Bundle of US$80.00” which, according to the promoters allowed you to view the events of Soca Monarch, Panorama, Dimanche Gras and Parade of the Bands if ordered on or before February 12.

Ironically, out of pure luck the steelpan community was spared somewhat from what could have been a total wipe out.  The Panorama was the second show of the four carnival weekend events.  So, many people - after learning about the Friday night Soca Monarch debacle - were cautious about ordering the Pay-Per-View event.  Still, others who wanted to register and pay for the event on Saturday February 13, the date of the Panorama, were locked out.  And far worse were those who paid early for the event and were still locked out.  And, yet for those who were able to get in, and on, (though some as late as the large band category) - their experiences were quite good.

Strangely, CNMG came up with a scheme that notified paid patrons of their necessary credentials only minutes before or after the show had begun.  This obviously did not work.  To make matters worse CNMG officials were for the most part, non-responsive to their customers after they had paid for the shows.

Fundamentally, WST is about Pan, so from our perspective ultimately it is Pan Trinbago’s responsibility to not sign on to circumstances that would put their Panorama product and brand in such a precarious international position.  If the complete internet exclusivity had been enforced to the letter, there would have been absolutely no live internet coverage available of 2010 Panorama.  A few stations chose to broadcast all or some portion of the panorama.  However, they all had their issues ranging from bad audio, drop outs, delayed broadcast or incomplete broadcast.

It is When Steel Talks’ expectation that this episode will never be repeated in Trinidad and Tobago’s Panorama future, and full refunds given and apologies made to all dissatisfied customers.  After all, business executives’ heads have rolled for far less.  If that were to occur because of this fiasco, there are at least four organization heads that would. 

It is time for all those responsible for and connected with this issue - to become as good at their jobs as the Pan musicians already are at theirs.  Pan deserves nothing less.

Below are some actual experiences detailed by WST network members, (identified by initials)

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