The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has unanimously reaffirmed its commitment to live broadcasting for Antigua Carnival, rejecting a proposal that would have imposed a mandatory 24-hour delay on the rebroadcast and streaming of all official Carnival shows.
According to Antigua News Room, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant disclosed the decision during Thursday's post-Cabinet media briefing, explaining that the proposal had been brought before Cabinet for consideration before being decisively turned down.
Merchant said Festivals Minister Dwayne George strongly opposed the delay proposal, arguing that such a restriction would significantly reduce public access to one of the country's premier cultural events and undermine ongoing efforts to promote Antigua and Barbuda to regional and international audiences.
Following deliberations, Cabinet unanimously agreed that the public interest would be best served by maintaining live broadcasts and livestreams of all official Carnival 2026 events.
Merchant noted that Cabinet recognised Antigua Carnival as not only the nation's premier cultural festival but also a major tourism and economic product — one that benefits considerably from real-time exposure across both traditional and digital media platforms.
Live broadcasts, he added, allow Antiguans and Barbudans at home and abroad, regional viewers, international audiences, and those unable to attend in person to participate in the celebrations as they unfold.
While firmly backing live streaming, Cabinet also encouraged residents and visitors to attend Carnival events in person, emphasising that strong public participation remains vital to both the success of the annual festival and the broader economy.
