Why TV3 blacked-out Nana Aba during VGMA telecast

Media General, the operators of television network TV3 has explained the circumstances which led to a brief disruption of its live coverage of the 19th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards when its former News Anchor Nana Aba Anamoah appeared on stage.

Nana Aba resigned from TV3, the broadcast rights holders of the VGMA's under acrimonious circumstances in 2015 after a Twitter brouhaha which involved an alleged online information and photo theft.

Before her resignation from TV3, she was yanked off the air indefinitely for posting a photoshopped image of herself at Manchester United's Old Trafford Stadium on Twitter.

So, it was no surprise on Saturday night during the telecast of the VGMA's that tongues were sent wagging on social media after a one-minute interruption when Nana Aba appeared on stage during the TV3 telecast to present an award.

Interestingly, some critics noted that the interruption occurred only on the TV3 network as DStv's Africa Magic Family [channel 154] which was running a similar feed had no interruptions during her appearance.

The blackout triggered massive criticisms with many claiming the disruption was deliberate and others describing it as petty.

However, Media General in a statement has explained that the issue was purely the result of a technical challenge from the production end.

“Post the awards, investigations were conducted into the cause of the disruption which revealed that the feed from CharterHouse, who produced the show, to TV3 was briefly interrupted causing the break in transmission,” the statement signed by Media General Head of Corporate Affairs, Richard Ahiagble said.

Media General has said it has taken all the criticism in good faith and assured its audience the station will continue to work towards “delivering superior content that enriches your viewing experience”.

Read the entire statement below;

STATEMENT: BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN TV3’s COVERAGE OF THE 19TH VODAFONE GHANA MUSIC AWARDS

During the live transmission of the 19th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), TV3 experienced a brief disruption in service which impacted our viewers across the country.

Our team, working with our partners and event organisers, CharterHouse urgently got to work to ensure transmission was restored to our cherished viewers immediately.

Post the awards, investigations were conducted into the cause of the disruption which revealed that the feed from CharterHouse, who produced the show, to TV3 was briefly interrupted causing the break in transmission.

As the leading media organisation in Ghana with extensive experience in live productions, we appreciate and understand the technical challenges inherent in producing an event such as the VGMAs. We are aware that the break in transmission from CharterHouse to TV3 was of a technical nature and not deliberate.

We apologize to our viewers for the brief loss in transmission and have taken your feedback in good faith. We will continue to work towards delivering superior content that enriches your viewing experience.

But above all, it is our hope that you [our viewers] enjoyed our coverage of the Awards.

Keep watching TV3, First in News, Best in Entertainment.

Signed

Richard Ahiagble

Group Head, Corporate Affairs

Media General.