NASSAU, The Bahamas – Officials at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (ZNS) yesterday signed a multi-million-dollar deal with Kit Digital Inc [NASDAQ: KITD], a publicly traded digital integration company, to carry out an upgrade of the television broadcaster’s facilities from analog to high definition.

The multi-million-dollar digital upgrade will not only improve the quality of on-air presentations, but also reduce operational and maintenance costs, and increase ZNS’s capacity to produce quality, local programmes, Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest said Tuesday.

The Minister added that the digitalization process would also enhance ZNS’s brand identity; provide a significant improvement in productivity, workflow and creativity; and enhance professionalism.

He said the signing also “advances” the government’s stated objective “of causing ZNS to become a producer of local programming, using the works of Bahamian writers, directors, artists, musicians, producers, and technicians.”

The $2.4-million contract awarded to Kit Digital is for the design, engineering and installation of ZNS’s digital television facility in New Providence. An additional $2.6 million has been approved for the acquisition of a mobile TV vehicle, the digital upgrade of ZNS television facilities in Grand Bahama, supplemental works necessary to accommodate the upgrade, and staff training.

Minister Turnquest said the communications environment has undergone a “radical conversion” to digital technology over the past 14 years, particularly with respect to television.

“Bahamians everywhere should benefit appreciably from the improved digital television quality,” he added. (watch report here)