News 5 (Belize)

infobox television
show_name = News 5 (Live)


caption =
rating =
format = Evening news
runtime = 30 or 60 minutes (including commercials)
creator = Stewart Krohn
executive_producer = Amalia Mai
director = Rick Romero
starring = see below
country = BLZ
filmed = Belize City, Belize
network = Channel 5
first_aired = December 5 1991
last_aired = Present
num_episodes = about 3,800
website = http://www.channel5belize.com
imdb_id =
tv_com_id =

News 5 Live is the flagship news program of Great Belize Television, Channel 5. The program generally runs for 30 minutes to an hour including commercials and airs weekdays at 6:30 pm CST.

Production history

Channel 5's News Department produces News 5 Live for broadcast every night from Monday to Friday including the original newscast, the repeat later that night at 10:00 PM and at 6:00 AM the following morning (there are no weekend newscasts, but the Friday night newscast airs at 6:30 AM Saturday morning). The program has been the flagship of Channel Five since it premiered on December 5, 1991 (The station itself proclaimed it the second longest running program onair, following San Ignacio Channel 3's "The Kent Pandy Show" [http://www.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=10666 Channel 5 pays tribute to Twin Towns colleague] .

Segments

* "60 Second Sermon with Dr. Bob Roberts": Newly added, featured during the first commercial break as well as on weekends. A short sermon on an interesting Bible verse, with application to real life. Presented by Roberts' Christian Foundation of Faith and Belize's local Baptist churches.
*"Community Billboard": Sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce and Western Union, airing just before the headlines. Features important announcements affecting Belizeans. A derivative, "Village Voice", covers villages served by Channel 5.
*"Creative Caribbean Cooking with the Radisson": Airing on Wednesdays, this program features special meals cooked by chefs from the local Radisson Fort George Hotel.
*"Sports Monday": Usually sponsored by Berger Paints, it is hosted by sports anchor James Adderly, who recaps recent sports events and looks forward to others. Adderly sometimes appears outside of this segment to present important sports news, such as his report on the CARICOM basketball tournament in 1998, hosted and won by Belize. Occasionally airs on Tuesdays if a national holiday falls on a Monday. Known for James' closing line, "Jah over all, I'm James Adderly!"
* "Weather Report": Produced by Bel-Caribe Communications; features Belize's local meteorologists presenting the weather news, with extended forecasts. During the hurricane season from June to November, the report includes "Hurricane Watch", a special look at tropical conditions that can lead to hurricanes affecting the country.
* "What's Happening Belize": Hosted by Saffiyah Muhammad, it premiered on July 18 and is the last news item on Friday nights. Muhammad details upcoming entertainment events that do not make it into the regular newscasts.
* "Healthy Living": Hosted by Marleni Cuellar, it premiered in September and focuses on health issues.

Special Editions/Montages

Note: These are less regularly featured items airing on special occasions.
* Cross Country Montage: Airs every Holy Thursday at the end of that newscast. Compiled images of the winners of the Cross Country Cycling Classic since 1992. Updated every year to reflect that year's winner.
*Independence Day Montage: Usually airing on the newscast before Independence Day, it is a story culled from GBP production "Belize All Over" and narrated by Ernesto Vasquez. Vasquez tells the story of how Belize got its independence from the United Kingdom, ending with an emotional clip of the Belizean flag rising up the pole at midnight on September 21, 1981, to the tune of the National Anthem, "Land of the Free."
* Christmas Eve in Belize City: A special look at preparations for Christmas in the Old Capital, in which reporters talk to City dwellers about their plans. Airs on the December 24 newscast, or whichever newscast comes before Christmas Day.
* Best of the Year: Typically the last newscast of the year, airing around the end of December/beginning of January, reviewing stories that may not be the most important but represent the best work of the reporting team over that year.

Past and present anchors and reporters of News 5

* Marleni Cuellar (main news presenter since late November)
* Kendra Griffith
* Marion Ali (moved over from LOVE FM, previously with Radio Belize)
* Ann-Marie Williams (parttime)
* Jose Sanchez
* Duane Moody
* Janelle Chanona
* Brent Toombs (occasionally; his usual job was cameraman)
* Stewart Krohn (former executive and news producer)
* Ernesto Vasquez (occasional replacement on Friday nights)
* William Neal (occasional replacement)
* Ava Lovell (hosted news in early 2000s)
* G. Michael Reid (hosted Last Word segment in late 1990s/2000's)
* Hyacinth Latchman (now working with WAVE Radio, current City Councillor)
* Alyssa Noble (former reporter)
* Jacqueline Godwin (now with rival Tropical Vision Limited)Note: Persons in bold no longer work for News 5 as employees; Neal still hosts television programs and Carnival coverage as well as the annual Gimme 5 promotion.

Other staff members

* Rick Romero (live program director)
* Mary Rhaburn-Mangar (producer for all programs other than news)
* George Tillett (cameraman)
* Stephen Ferguson (cameraman)
* Luis Sosa (technician)
* Chris Mangar (control room)
* Paul Evans (engineer)
* Arlette Abraham (production assistant)
* Delahnie Bain (Internet newscast editor)

References