HBO Presents “Where the Music is Always Alive: Jamaica Jazz & Blues 2012”

In the midst of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence, HBO and Flow will host a private screening of theHBO Special,Where the Music is Always Alive: Jamaica Jazz & Blues 2012. The program, debuting in the Caribbean August 4^th and throughout Latin America in September, showcases the most important musical event of the region, which this year includes legendary artists such as Celine Dion, Shaggy, Damian Marley, John Holt and Jully Black.

“We are thrilled to be sharing in this celebratory moment, together with Flow, here in Kingston,”said Javier Figueras, Corporate Vice President of Affiliate Sales for HBO Latin America Group. “By investing in local productions, we continue to bring Jamaica’s cultural wealth and natural beauty to a forefront throughout both the Caribbean and Latin American regions.”

In addition to celebrating Jamaica’s musical tradition, the HBO Special also brings the emblematic landscapes and scenic views of Montego Bay, Ocho Ríos, Dunns River Falls and the Blue Mountains into sharp focus. While capturing the rhythmic beats of Reggae, Ska, Mento and Rocksteady, Where the Music is Always Alive: Jamaica Jazz & Blues 2012 also highlights the island’s appeal as a sunshine paradise.

“This fascinating Special will bolster our ongoing efforts to tap into the burgeoning Latin American market, as many viewers will certainly be lured to our shores by the captivating sights and sounds of our beautiful island,” said the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Entertainment.“The fact that it will showcase Jamaica to viewers in Caribbean and Latin American countries means it will provide a unique and invaluable opportunity to further market our destination and build brand Jamaica. It not only shines the spotlight on the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival but also puts our rich culture and history on display as we celebrate our 50^th anniversary of independence. We are honoured to be associated with this brilliant initiative, which continues to redound to the benefit of our wonderful destination. I must commend Flow and HBO for the production of what has proven to be a very innovative and effective marketing tool, which continues to provide destination Jamaica with significant exposure in the Caribbean and Latin America.”

With one-third of its patrons being visitors to the island, this year’s Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival saw the largest audience turn-out in the three-dayconcert’s history. The HBO Specialshares this vibrancy onscreen, not only through performance vignettes, but also through energetic commentaries featuringacclaimed artists such as Kymani Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Mykal Rose, The Temptations, Tessane Chin and Tami Chynn, among others.

“This was an extremely important opportunity for us to use our technology and platforms to help widen the reach of Jamaica by highlighting the very best of what the island has to offer,” said Michele English, President and COO of Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions brands. "Our partnership with HBO for a second year in a row demonstrates our continued commitment to support, share and celebrate local culture with the rest of the world, and, at the same time, garner international attention for Jamaica.”

The half-hour programwill have a repeat showing onMonday, August 6^th (Jamaica’s Independence Day); additional showings will air in the Caribbean throughout August and September. The show will also be available to HBO On Demand subscribers(contingent upon cable operator).

Flow Revolutionizes Cable with 3D TV

History is being created in the local cable market with the introduction of 3DTV channels by Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operator of the Flow and Columbus Business Solutions brands. The company announces the addition of two 3D TV channels to the lineup on their digital cable television service, becoming the only provider in Jamaica to offer this revolutionary technology.

12 new High Definition (HD) channels to Flow’s channel lineup bringing the total number to 35, the largest number of HD channels available from any provider in Jamaica. The range of HD channels covers all popular genres of television programming including children’s, lifestyle, sports, news, and entertainment.

“It is very important to us to ensure that we always provide our customers with leading communications technologies and services. Our introduction of 3D TV and the expansion of the HD channel portfolio at this time is part of our overall plan to relentlessly deploy the most innovative services so that our customers can experience and enjoy more,” said Denise Williams, director of government and corporate affairs. “Flow has deployed the most technologically advanced network in the country and we are committed to keeping Jamaica at the forefront in terms of innovative and leading edge products and services.”

High-definition (HD) television refers to video resolution significantly higher than traditional television systems, as much as five times richer than that of Standard Definition (SD) television. A revolution in viewer experience, 3DTV enables viewers to perceive depth, height and width of motion for objects on a screen. 3D uses optical illusions to mimic reality, making the content on screen look real. Flow’s introduction of 3D TV means that Jamaicans can now enjoy this experience in the comfort of their homes rather than only on an outing to the cinema. 

3D TV’s are now available on the local market. Columbus has partnered with Jamaica’s leading electronics retailer Courts, to offer consumers greater value on the electronics purchases. With the purchase of any television set at Courts, consumers who sign up for Flow’s cable TV service will receive one month free cable, free installation and a 30% discount on an HD box.  

Since launching service in Jamaica 6 years ago, Columbus has consistently provided consumers with cutting edge technology that has transformed their cable television viewing experiences. In addition to offering the a fully digital cable service with the most channels available (over 280), innovations from the company include an interactive programming guide with parental controls, Flow On Demand, Bill View on Flow channel 800, Caller ID on TV, and mosaic channels for sports, news and movies.  

More Savings for Flow Digital Landline Customers

Effective July 15, Flow customers will enjoy reduced rates for calls from Flow’s digital landline telephones to local mobile numbers.

The bold move by Flow comes in response to the cap established by the OUR for mobile termination rates which has enabled the broadband service provider to pass on the savings to its customers.  Under the new rates, consumers will enjoy savings as high as 30% on their calls from Flow landlines to mobile numbers. 

As of July 15th calls from a Flow landline to a local mobile number will be billed at only $6.99 cents per minute. The rate will apply for Flow's residential postpaid and prepaid landline service across all calling periods.

Michele English, coo of Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of the Flow brand, explained that the Company has always focused on ensuring that customers get the best value for money.  “Since our launch we have been able to provide our customers with the best pricing on landline telephone service including being the only telephone service provider offering 100%  free on-network calls (Flow to Flow), lower calling rates to call Lime landlines than Lime charges for its own on-network calls and truly unlimited international calls to the most frequently called destinations.  Our move to reduce these calling rates is just another step to fulfilling our promise to always deliver the best value to our customers,” she said.

Since launching service in Jamaica 6 years ago, Columbus has consistently provided consumers with cutting edge technology that has transformed how they use the internet, experience cable television and communicate across the landline telephone network. Columbus offers the fastest internet speeds and has influenced a reduction in the cost for internet service by over 90%.  In addition to offering Jamaica’s only fully digital cable service with the most channels available (over 280), innovations from the company include HD and 3D channels, Flow On Demand, Bill View on Flow channel 800 and Caller ID on TV.

FNBL Contenders for Southern Conference MVP

The 2012 season of the Flow National Basketball League has reached fever pitch with the Southern Conference Finals to be held today, Saturday July 7 at the National Stadium Basketball Court. Since its launch in late April the league has seen several players switching team alliances , creating new rivalries and even more fierce competition. The Urban Knights will face off with the Runnin’ Rebels in what promises to be one of the hottest games of the season. While the winner of the Southern Conference is anyone’s guess, several players stand in contention for MVP of the Southern Conference. Three of these are Kirk  Ferguson of the St. Georges Saints, and Balldon Todd of the  Majesty Garden Legends, and Kemar McLeish of finalists the Runnin Rebels.

McLeish, is one of the Flow NBL’s more prominent players, having helped to guide his former team the Urban Knights to a championship, and was also an MVP for last season playing for Majestic Gardens. This season however McLeish made the transfer to Runnin Rebels along with three other players from two year runners up Majesty Gardens Legends.

According to Pete Matthews, head coach of Running Rebels, McLeish is an individually skilled player who has learned work well within the team. Matthews commented on the new energy brought by McLeish, “Initially there were some things that were lacking as he got a feel for the team, however he was willing to enhance his game and has become a team player.”

McLeish  has achieved a skilled 179 points, 67 rebounds, 19 steals, 24 assists and 4 blocks, in this year’s competitive season. Ferguson, who is point guard for the Saints, scored an amazing 256 points, 133 rebounds, 29 steals, 54 assists and 13 blocked shots for the season. Meanwhile Todd, shooting guard for the Legends made an impressive 300 total points, 146 rebounds, 41steals, 37assists and 1 blocked shot.

The players expressed excitement at the possibility of MVP status in the Flow NBL. “I feels good to be in this position, and if I were to win this would be  extremely good for me and my teammates” said  an humble Todd, “It is exciting to be in the running with players like Kemar McLeish who is one of the better players in the League.”

Meanwhile former Tivoli Gardens Wizards player Ferguson remarked, “I am really excited about the possibility. I am elated that I could contribute so greatly to my team, especially since it is a new team. I'm glad to be in the running for the title.”

Though their teams are no longer up for the Southern Conference championships, the players weighed in on who they felt would win the Southern Conference title.

“I think the Rebels will win because they are an experienced team, they can break out at any time and win” said Ferguson. A like minded Todd also has his money on  the Runnin Rebels, remarking “I think they have a good chance .”

The cards are on the table, but fans can see the action for themselves by heading down to the National  Stadium basketball courts tonight at 7:00pm.

Flow builds on tech-talent of Jamaica’s youth, partners with Digital Jam 2.0

Many young Jamaicans will be exposed to the virtual employment opportunities as Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions, teams up with the Government of Jamaica and the World Band for the Digital Jam 2.0 conference to be held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston this week. This is another opportunity where the Company is using its modern broadband network to help tap Jamaica’s technology potential, and is lending its support to the ‘Mega Tech’ event being held on Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30.

Digital Jam 2.0 will see Jamaican youths being exposed to a number of specialised workshops, a job fair as well as the opportunity to sharpen their talents at a ‘Hackathon’ and an app development contest. The telecom company joins the project in helping to shape the country’s place in a global pool of virtual innovation--an aim that complements Flow’s continuing work in supporting Jamaican development said Michelle English, President of Columbus Communications Jamaica Ltd., operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions brands.

“We are more than happy to support this progressive move for ICT in Jamaica,” said English, who will also be a panellist at Digital Jam 2.0. “The Digital Jam 2.0 initiative truly complements our drive for young people to take advantage of innovation, and to encourage entrepreneurship. We are focused on providing as many opportunities as we can for Jamaicans to experience the full benefits of our cutting-edge technology.”

Along with existing initiatives such as providing broadband for the UAF e-learning programme, over J$33 million is spent each year by Flow to offer high speed internet to public schools across the country, and the company is gearing up to launch a competition in September which will shine a light on the tech talent of Jamaican students. Flow’s support of Digital Jam 2.0 is part of a larger focus by the company to provide support and information for the country’s youth on the employment opportunities afforded by the technology sector, support which the event’s coordinator Ingrid Riley said is invaluable.

“We are so happy to have Flow on board for what is really a national initiative for engaging young people,” said Riley. “[It is] putting before them the informational experiences that will enable them to think about employment and entrepreneurship in the digital age.”

Understanding the links between growth and technology, Flow is also cultivating the cultural network between Jamaica and the rest of the world through a partnership with cable network HBO to broadcast a documentary on the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival to millions of people globally.

Here at home, the company helps make Jamaican businesses more efficient and internationally competitive with its top-notch technology. Flow is also firmly committed to bolstering the country’s economy through the use of ICT tools, and has spent US$300 million to establish the best broadband infrastructure on the island.