MDTV is one of Spanish Town’s…Dela Vega City, to be exact…pride and joy. The five-year-old hip and exciting 24-hour cable station, owned and operated by Steble McDermott’s incomparable House of Hits Records, situated at 369 Second Rodney Way in Dela Vega City, Spanish Town, has positioned itself as ‘a new dimension in entertainment television’ and its thousands of viewers grew so rapid since it first started airing that the increased demand forced the operators to take it on a larger scale.

MDTV first brought its exciting entertainment to homes across St. Catherine and parts of Kingston originally under the name Urban Music Report. Now five years later, as MDTV, Mr. Mac inked an islandwide deal with cable providers, Flow. Subscribers across Jamaica have the pleasure of sitting in their living rooms and have MDTV beam from their TV screens on channel 393 on Flow’s digital system, and enjoy the channel’s 24-hour exciting, innovative programming.

Programming

Operating from the huge second floor of the fabulous House of Hits building, with an impressive fully equipped studio and set, MDTV’s vast programming are mainly family oriented.

“As part of our thrust to become the most watched cable channel, we have designed programmes that will appeal to any and everyone,” said Bunnésha Ellis, MDTV manager and executive secretary.

“Our objective is to effectively provide content that is clean and family oriented, promote emerging music talent in Jamaica, produce and promote live shows for airing that houses a lot if not all local talent and to be seen as the innovators in cable TV content provider. We want to be seen as not only able to entertain, but to edutain as well with programmes such as As Black As I Am, History One On One, Prep School Championship, among others.”

A recent survey revealed that MDTV’s outstanding programming and schedule allows it to capture a wide cross section of viewership, particularly among the younger generation, broken down in three main categories: Adults (age 35-55), Young Professional (age 25-35) and Teenagers (age 15-25).

MDTV’s creative programmes include: Healthful Living: highlighting the benefits of living well. Vintage of Yesteryear: showcasing interesting acts who have contributed to the film and music industry, both the faces we know and those behind the scene. Fashion Hut: featuring local designers and fashion wear under the tagline ‘Class, Style & You’. Out & About With MDTV: featuring teen programmes like Bike Day, Stunt Wars, Extreme Motor Sports, Monster Stunts, various games and so much more. Urban Music Report: highlighting local shows and launch of music and film events, like the Actor Boy Awards and the EME awards. Street Gospel Mix: looking at gospel events and an array of gospel Artists. Behold The Ministry: broadcasting church services from Fresh Fire Ministry in Portmore. Street News: highlighting the latest controversial news across the world, what’s not, is it in, is it not. House of Hits: Where Artists get to showcase their top 15 videos from all genres.

Of course, there is Press Play and various other music video programmes. There are also themed programmes, for instance, during Black History month the cable channel aired the programme Black As I Am, showcasing legendary black Artists, actors, etc., and other great programmes featured on this 24-hour cable station.

Coming soon will be the programmes: Teen Korner: the MDTV team will select a school to go to and showcase their many talents. At the end of the year, the best talent selected from each school will come together for a playoff and the winning school will be in for a big surprise. Oops!! Will definitely be a favourite. This interactive programme will give viewers a chance to be the eyes of MDTV, catching those oops moments on camera and send them in…but it’s got to be authentic. So if you happen to be out there and see something really funny and embarrassing, make sure to flip out your camera or camera phone and capture it. The best ones will make it to MDTV’s exciting Oops! Corner. Cultural Vibes will be another new innovation, featuring cultural videos, local and international. And definitely look out for the MDTV charts coming real soon.

By the end of the year, MDTV promises to showcase a new and exciting schedule.

The Packages

The cable station’s advertising packages are extremely competitive. For instance, a $40,000 package can guarantee you 720 30-second slots over three months, 8 times per day. Of course, there are other optional and negotiable packages that you can speak to a sales rep about. But tha 40 grand package deh a di big big favourite, fi real.

Artists also have their own special package. It’s called The Block. For $35,000, they can become the Artiste Of The Week. For that week they can decide what they want to highlight about their career…interviews, music videos, have a crew follow them around and capture a typical day for them and all the interesting things they do.

MDTV is out and about at all the happening events, getting nuff love and shout outs from the viewers and celebrities.

“A lot of people like it because they say our programmes are different, fun and innovative. They say we are like a breath of fresh air,” said Bunnésha. “They love our clarity and the content, and are even requesting more programmes. One of the things that amazes them is our location. They can’t believe such excellence is beaming from the heart of Spanish Town.”

Artists like Beenie Man, Konshens, Wadda Blood, Luciano, Captain Barkey & Wickerman have all given their endorsement to the channel and appreciate the work it is doing in promoting their careers.

“In addition, the business community have now recognized us as a serious contender and are giving their support,” Bunnésha said.

The Team

MDTV has a very vibrant and professional team that keeps the 24-hour cable channel on top of its game. These dedicated persons, some of whom are from within the community, are among the most talented.

The management team posses a wealth of knowledge in quality media relations and broadcasting. Headed by CEO Steeble McDermott with Bunnésha Ellis as the manager and executive secretary, Auto Visual Concept does most of the camera work, while the crew also consist of producer Elvis Grant; cameraman Ricardo Williams, Paul Wilson responsible for media communications; Venicia Allen and Lornell Nelson in production; photographer Travis Williams; videographers Clive Allen, Marvin Campbell, Clint Smith and Peter Graham; and hosts Lisa Ellis, Rasan Gordon, Simone Bennett, Alicia Taylor and Lacy Hyman.

And you can join the MDTV team if you have the right ingredients. The cable station is looking for young, professional, fun, outgoing persons to host some of its vibesy programmes. The cable station also needs some hot males to host an upcoming fashion show. So if you think you have what it takes, give them a call or drop them an email at lisa.mdtv@gmail.com

MDTV is indeed the new dimension in entertainment television. Make sure to tune in to channel 393 on Flow’s digital system and get your daily fix of the exciting programmes and packages the station has to offer.

Contact them at: MDTV, 369 Second Rodney, Dela Vega City, Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Tel: 984-2477-8, Fax: 984-2476 Email: lisa.mdtv@gmail.com Website: www.myspace.com/mdtvpromo