Mega TV broadcasted live from Cuba – ‘Cuba sin Castro’.
July 3, 2006
WSBS-Mega TV, Channel 22, broadcasted live from Havana during a three hour special “Cuba sin Castro,” anchored by Maria Elvira Salazar, respected journalist and hostess of Mega TV’s show Polos Opuestos. Mega TV took a leadership role among Miami’s television stations and provided viewers with a roundtable discussion that included insight and analysis from prominent members of the exiled community.
The special Cuban broadcast on Mega TV marked the first time a Miami-based television station established a live broadcast signal from Havana following the news of the transfer of power between Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro broke Monday afternoon.
From the offices of the Associated Press Television Network (APTN), Angel Tomas Gonzalez, correspondent for the Spanish daily “El Mundo”, provided updated information about the state of affairs of this unique situation facing Cubans on both sides of the Florida straits.
Respected analysts and leaders of the exiled community were part of this very special broadcast. The group includes: Luis Laredo, former United States Ambassador to the Organization of American States; Armando Valladares, well known political analyst; Maria Elena Cruz-Varela, former political prisoner and award winning writer, and Frank Calzon, Executive Director of “Una Cuba Libre,” an important opposition movement in exile.
Mega TV also went live from different points of the city with reporters, providing insight into how Miamians are dealing with this unprecedented and developing story. Viewers responded to this compelling news programming, as preliminary Nielsen data indicates an increase in the station’s NHSI household ratings by 89% in comparison to the past July 2006 in sweep for the Monday through Friday, 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. time period.
“Mega TV is an entertainment and pop culture channel. However, the station holds an obligation to its viewers to bring them news and analysis on events that are important to the community,” said Cynthia Hudson Fernandez, SBS Chief Creative Officer and Executive Vice-President.
