? Europe & Africa transmission by September 2004
Metro TV, one of Ghana?s premier private TV stations says it all set to become the first TV station in Ghana to transmit throughout Africa and Europe via satellite. According to a release issued last Friday and signed by Mr. Alhassan Haruna ? DEPUTY MD for METRO TV arrangements and contracts have already been finalised with the Satellite service provider to carry the signals over Ghana, Africa and Europe by September 2004.

Mr. Haruna noted in the release that the company has installed a new 4k transmitter about 4 months ago at their transmission site off the Dodowa-Adenta road as part of their preparations to further improve its transmission in the Greater Accra region.

?In its quest to meet International standards required by European Broadcasters & regulators, Metro TV has identified 5 major areas of high priority on its agenda:

?The optimization of its transmission signals to be of continental, video and audio broadcast quality. The migration from the analogue platform to digital DV, Camera coverage, editing and playback on air ? a process, currently almost completed in our studios & production suites.?

The company also noted that also the general overhauling of its set designs and back drops to provide viewers with comfortable and relaxed viewing and the maximization of the African content of its programming by creating, producing and licensing more Ghanaian and African programmes is one of its key priorities in its five point agenda.

Similarly, ?The sharpening of its daily news coverage and current affairs programs in anticipation of election 2004, which is a vital communication element to Metro TV?s Satellite feed to Ghanaians abroad ?and? the Metro TV signal which is to be fed to the rest of Africa, Europe and later to the USA, by the end of the year, will be introduced as METRO PLUS, and will focus on programming that is going to be relevant, interactive and bring Ghanaians living abroad to touch base with home.?

According to the management of the station, the collaboration between Metro TV and MNET Opentime (of South Africa) for its syndicated programme during the late afternoon has been severed effective June 30, 2004.

The release said Metro TV intends to use this time belt for broadcasting programs relevant to the outside market. ?The time slot is crucial given the time difference between Ghana and Europe,? it added.

Observers said over the weekend that the move was very ambitious but the management of the TV station maintained in their release that the huge leap for a station of the size of Metro TV clearly demonstrates the dedication, clear vision and business acumen of its management.