BTV news blackout

*SIMON TOBANE SEISA | Wednesday December 19, 2007 00:00

The problem started at around 1700 hours when synchronisation was lost. This centralised synchronisation controls all equipment in this highly computerized system. The system is intertwined so that once the synchronisation is faulty, even the editing could not be carried out. So by the time the system went faulty, not all News were ready.

However, the Video Tape Recorders, which have internal synchronisation signal, were the only equipment that can be used. Therefore only programmes that are on Video Tapes could be aired or broadcast.  

The Engineers worked on the fault, but unfortunately could not restore the system in time for both News to be broadcast. It was only restored at 2130 hours and it is back in service.

The inconvenience is regretted to all our customers

*Simon Tobane Seisa is the Public Relations Officer at Broadcasting Services