Grace Jackson ... one of the special guest analysts. - Ian Allen Staff/Photographer

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

The Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) yesterday announced extensive coverage plans for the Beijing Olympic Games that will surpass any previous such venture by the regional media outfit.

With three broadcast blocks daily for the duration of the August 8-24 Games, the CMC Olympic coverage, labelled 'The Caribbean Dream', will deliver live coverage of all the main action for Caribbean competitors at the Games of the 29th Olympiad.

"I can guarantee you that this will be the best we've ever had," Errol Clarke, the CMC's chief operation officer said at the coverage launch.

"I believe that at the end of the session come August 24 that we would have delivered to the region, something that CMC is going to be challenged to better in 2012 when the Olympics is in London," Clarke added.

Specific coverage

Broadcast hours will extend to a total of 153 hours of Caribbean specific coverage, more than double the 68 hours done in Athens four years ago.

Lengthy coverage blocks from 6 to 10 a.m. (The Breakfast Broadcast) and 10 p.m. to 1 p.m. (Late Night Live) Eastern Caribbean Time, will capture live coverage of main Caribbean events - including track and field, swimming, boxing, table tennis and cycling.

The highlights show, a two-hour 'Prime Time Package', will include analysis and interviews and will be transmitted daily from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Eastern Caribbean Time).

Clarke, who disclosed that CMC's broadcast coverage is costing in excess of US$2 million, promised viewer satisfaction for the 2-1/2 week show.

A total of 17 countries in the region have so far signed on to CMC's coverage of the games.

The Hilton Barbados hotel will be the Olympic Centre, hosting live coverage transmitted from the CMC team in Beijing, plus analysis and discussion with past Olympians and interactive segments.

A group of Olympians from throughout the region, including Olympic track and field medallists Grace Jackson, from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago's Edward Skinner, will appear as special guests at the CMC Olympic Centre.

Other Olympians booked so far for the CMC shows are Curvin Wallace (Nevis), Diane Dunrod-Francis (St Kitts), Bernard Wilson (Grenada), Dr Lennox Adams (St Vincent and the Grenadines) and Jamie Peterkin (St Lucia).