Tamara McKayle - New head of CEEN News
Published:Tuesday | October 11, 2016 | 12:00 AM
The Caribbean Entertainment Everyday Network (CEEN) a subsidiary of International Media Content, parent company of Caribbean sports cable giant, SportsMax, has a new, young and vibrant executive producer and presenter, Tamara McKayle to lead its news department.
McKayle is no stranger to local media having worked locally for more than six years with her latest stint being writer, producer and presenter in the television department at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), where she worked for just over three years.
Many Jamaicans in fact may remember her as the 2010 winner of CVM's 'The Anchor' Journalism reality show, which she won while a final year student at (Caribbean Institute of Media and Communications) CARIMAC at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
"I am someone who will work really long hours just to ensure a specific task gets done, for example a television feature I am working on or a script. I have always had a real passion and openness to learn from those who are more experienced and wiser so that I can hone my own craft," McKayle told The Gleaner.
McKayle, the 2011 Prime Minister Youth awardee for journalism and professed woman of faith, will in her new role manage the news team at CEEN TV which includes reporters and producers.
She will also be presenting the live nightly CEEN Caribbean News which currently broadcasts throughout the New York Tri State area in the United States on Optimum and VerizonFios and in Ontario, Canada on BellFibe and Rogers Networks.
The vision
"I like the vision that my superiors shared with me on the direction CEEN News is taking and that is why I decided to join the family. What I hope to bring to the table with the help of my team is an end product that is world class in look and quality," McKayle said.
CEEN is a 24-hour subscription television channel serving the growing Caribbean Diaspora; reaching approximately 230,000 Caribbean homes in North America and Canada.
Founded in 2011, CEEN TV carries the largest and most varied selection of Caribbean programming, from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and the rest of the English speaking Caribbean.
"I would like the CEEN name to be more recognised locally and regionally because while we are reaching those overseas, our locals should instantly know who we are and where to go if they want news from Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean to reach those further afield," McKayle said.
CEEN also shows a wide array of live programming from the islands, including Jamaica's Manning and DaCosta Cup seasons, the yearly Boys & Girls Athletic Championships, Miss Jamaica World, Sunshine Girls netball, and Trinidad & Tobago's carnival competitions and Road March to name a few.
McKyale admits that the journey has not always been easy. "No it hasn't. I think often people would see you on television and think that's so glamorous but the real work is what happens behind the scenes," she said.