“Volatile relationship!” CCT explains split with Heritage and Tola Radio
The following is a media release from local telecoms provider, CCT.
Caribbean Cellular Telephone Limited (CCT) wishes to clarify recent discussions in the public domain concerning the termination of our service exchange agreement with Mr. Floyd “Heritage” Burnett and Tola Radio.
Since Tola Radio’s inception as a broadcast entity, CCT has been a supportive partner, providing various services to facilitate the station’s growth and development. These services include tower space for antenna placement on Jost Van Dyke and Peter Island, electricity and backup power service, as well as telephone and both wireless and fibre internet services, altogether valued at well over $60,000 annually.
This support was offered at no monetary cost with the goal of fostering Tola Radio’s success. In exchange, CCT received radio advertising on the Morning Braff show and other Tola Radio programming. This agreement reached its natural conclusion on May 31, 2024, and CCT made the decision not to renew because of the volatile relationship with Mr. Burnett, who has indiscriminately made disparaging and potentially libellous statements about CCT for years.
Nevertheless, in the spirit of goodwill, CCT continued the exchange of services on a month-to-month basis beyond the contract’s expiration and hoped to improve relations with Tola Radio. Unfortunately, Mr. Burnett’s propensity to make disparaging and potentially libellous statements continued and CCT decided to suspend all advertising with Tola Radio and formally end the partnership guided by the expired agreement on July 31, 2024.
Despite the circumstances, CCT extended their provision of services free of charge for an additional month to assist Tola Radio in transitioning smoothly, reflecting our continued desire for an amicable resolution. Mr. Burnett later apologised both publicly and privately for a recent outburst regarding CCT, acknowledging that the incident he complained about was the result of his own software challenges rather than the service provided by CCT. Mr. Burnett also wrote to CCT expressing the same, recognizing the significant support CCT has provided to Tola Radio, and asking for additional time to facilitate a transition. In an effort to continue fostering a positive relationship, CCT continued to provide services free of charge to Tola Radio, extending the deadline for transition to October 31, 2024.
Unfortunately, despite these efforts, Mr. Burnett has continued to make disparaging and potentially libellous statements about CCT, including comments that have even raised concerns regarding the safety of our people. As a result, this matter has been referred to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force for further review.
Tola Radio can retain the same services they currently enjoy from CCT by becoming a paying customer but CCT is no longer interested in advertising on their platform. We wish Mr. Burnett and Tola Radio success in their future endeavours.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Ever heard of “ don’t bite the hand that feeds you”??
The Five families pulling the plug on media they can no longer control.
Wow
“This support was offered at no monetary cost with the goal of fostering Tola Radio’s success. In exchange, CCT received radio advertising on the Morning Braff show and other Tola Radio programming.”
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Whatever “volatile relationship” existed between the two waring parties, one thing has been made quite clear here from this reporting is the admission by CCT. that the business relationship between both parties appears to have began as a quid pro quo which in considered illegal in many jurisdictions.
I don’t know if the back and forth and hesitancy on the part of CCT to terminate their relationship earlier was due to their knowing of the type of relationship they had between themselves which could prove legally challenging, but it suggest so.
In my view, courts don’t grant relief to a party whose hands are unclean in legal jargon. Perhaps that’s why CTT references “potentially libelous statements” as oppose to outright libelous statements, and has instead “referred to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force for further review”
Their business relationship also points to the other issue of unfair business practices in the market place.
Is it fair that one company enters into a business relationship with another, pays them nothing, provide the infrastructure needed in order to gain favorable advertising?
On the surface that does not strike me as fair nor right to the other telecom providers. I don’t now what the law is on this and if it has been established here in the BVI, but it does not strike me as right or legal.
At any rate, I’d just put this out there: What starts out bad, quite often ends up badly. The thrill is gone between these two it appears, and it looks like they are having a difficult divorce. I wish them well.
Disclaimer: I have no affiliations with either party. Just reading and using my own common sense to make headway of what I read. Take it for what its worth.
Quid por quo yes or no.I say yes
There is nothing wrong with a quid pro quo relationship. Providing services in return for a benefit is no different to providing cash for those services. In some jurisdiction such arrangements are taxable but since the BVI does not tax profits, there is no tax implication here.
@Nonsense. We are on the same page relative to describing the situation between both parties as appearing to have been a quid pro quo.
However, I disagree with your assertion that “nothing (is) wrong” with such a relationships. Even if legal, these kinds of relationships are not looked at favorable.
I also disagree with your view that given there are no tax implications as per you, there is also nothing wrong.
In my view their relationship appears improper to begin. By CCT’s admission there relationship meets the definition of quid pro quo.
Questionable unfair market place practice implications is also a reasonable issue here as well.
When I said I am uncertain about the case law in the BVI relative to these matters, I was thinking about the laws on the books relative to these kinds of relationships and unfair business practices in the BVI.
Regardless, in regards to the original matter, if this matter ever ends up in court on its own merit, I doubt the dispute between both parties will find a successful win in court.
The is a high likelihood the case would get thrown out because of that apparent quid pro quo relationship between both parties.
They would be wasting their time and money going after each other in court imo.
They have 2 choice in my view to resolve their differences:
1. Kiss and makeup like before, or
2. Kiss and say goodbye for good, and call it a day.
Divorces are never easy. I don’t envy them.
Quid pro quo bringing facts.
Thank you! Private businesses are free to bargain as they please. It is if someone is in a public position and using their position to obtain personal benefits, that is where the issue of quid pro quo comes on. Sounds like someone just learned a term (knowledge) but did not take the time to learn the basis upon which it is founded (understanding) in order to know when and how to apply it (wisdom). Don’t just seek knowledge buddy. Make sure understanding and wisdom are also in the room because boy oh boy…
in some jurisdictions this could be construed as unfair business advantage thus making it illegal businss practice.Quid is on point.
Unfair business advantage (bargaining power) and quid pro quo are two separate things. While we are at it, what exactly was the unfair business advantage. Getting $60,000 worth of service and equipment for free?? Come on. Stop talk nonsense. They gave him a helping hand and he should be well established on his feet now to pay for whatever service he wants. If anyone is disadvantaged, he did it to himself. Just a lesson todo not bite the hand that feeds you. Simple. Stop acting entitled and ungrateful. It is sickening. If you have a problem with CCT, go to CCT and fix it. Shocks man.
You clearly do not understand what quid pro quo or unfair business practice means.
CCT did not give Tortola Radio money for free as you put it. They did it in exchange for favorable advertising space on that show.
Nothing is free in this life. No business fronts $60K/year for nothing. It would not surprise me if the advertising they received amounted to more than the 60K they put out.
When it comes to unfair business practice, there are 2 other telecommunication companies. Is it fair to those other 2 companies that you have one of the 3 players entering into a quit pro quo agreement with a radio station to advertise their product and services?
Assuming the other 2 telecom companies have no similar agreement, that’s where the problem arises. One company has an unfair advertising advantage in a small marketplace.
The proof will be in the pudding. What kind of agreement if any the other 2 telecom providers have with Tortola Radio if any? If they advertise on those spaces, are they paying upfront?
You seems to be seeing this matter from a personal standpoint when you refer to the radio host “as doing it to himself”.
In my view, the radio hosts personality trait is irrelevant. As far as I am concern both parties entered into an improper relationship.
They could never win a case in a court of law against each other, because you cannot go into court to seek relief of any sort with unclean hands.
Some people may conduct business like this in the BVI and get away with it, but not elsewhere.
Laughable. Please check back with me if this matter ever ever hit the courts, and ruled on my a judge.
I would be happy to have further discussions on it with you, and share more knowledge and understanding. I’m certain the courts may have a differing opinion.
Meant to hit “dislike” botton
Do you think advertising on a radio for a year can ever be greater than the privilege of receiving free radio equipment and services at $60,000 minimum a year? And the fact that he was criticizing CCT when he was not satisfied tells me there was NO quid pro quo. He would have had to be misleading the public to say great service even when he believed there was no great service. Now, CCT as a satisfied customer no longer wants to advertise on his platform, why should this man still receive the benefit of free radio equipment and services? FREE means he ain’t paying for it. That was the CONSIDERATION GIVEN as part of a VALIDLY CONSTITUTED CONTRACT. If CCT paid 60,000 in cash for advertising in return, would that be quid pro quo??? No. So what makes it quid pro quo if payment was in services? I’m just curious.
@Mistake. I don’t post for likes. I post to engage in meaningful discussions. If you dislike anything that I post, it would be helpful if you respond with your own point of view.
My boy that is a serious hit its gonna put real pressure on you. BVI is pure mix up and blender.
Heritage and Cindy do NOT have any manners nor do they understand business etiquette. It is just shameful to watch!
Can’t understand why anyone supports heritage and his show. It’s always filled with controversy and confusion.
Well Migoman, you may not be able understand but he has tons of sponsors and even more listeners.
Is Heritage is c*n man?
From the beginning when he came out with his first car raffle.
That man like to much man u don’t hear who he talks he and Boss like man, pay you Bill when u o need to cut u off, give me my service
Le he tek da in he a**
A** make things bad for yourself will love to … who said u can run a radio show he talks like he has s**t in his mouth, … think he smarter than everyone else
He continued to burn bridges and then thinks he can soften up when he meets the owners in person! After he done bad talk them! This if why weed isn’t for everyone!
Radio will never be the same again! lol!
Deport him back and side. Typical ungrateful no class rambunctious
Misbehaviour from dees set. Tek Dat!
Must confess I have never listened to him nor the woman but from what I heard and read they are an atypical duo dragging down
the quality of their adoptive home. My ear bag dem refused the early morning assault.
Adopted home you said…lol. You’re an idiot. He’s a Virgin Islander. And why are you all still calling Cindy’s name? She’s not a part of the show anymore.
We are not convinced.
Who are his parents
What is his birth name
BVIslanders don’t hide under makeup names.
Only in his dreams.
Reason why he always disagreeable and in confusion. No Peace
Them take long how u going to continue to talk bad about who have u up an running he better look sharp other sponsors don’t pull out to
Only vi*o refused to carry the story he look like he has one friend left
Heritage is out of control. His apparent success has gone to his head. He will be his own demise very soon.
Cindy and Heritage. Male & female hot headed gangsters. Both intelligent, smart, but not wise or clever..”Wisdom is key, seek it my brothers and sisters”. Seek it, it calms you do, makes you rational and reasonable, it humbles you when u need to, it rebels you when you need to, it gives you the fortitude to handle any situation appropriately..
Stupid sorry stupid. Got too big for your britches. Morning Braff is just a GOSSIP MAGAZINE.
Heritage can be pigheaded yes but he’s a young BVIslander who has pulled himself up and made a name for itself. Tola radio has a lot of support. I tune in every day. You may not agree with the callers but that’s ok. It’s a platform for everybody and they do air the issued some of which we may not hear about otherwise. What Heritage needs to do is get some better advice and look to older wiser people for counsel. You’ll rise above this Heritage. Hold your head up. You’re good people. Stay humble.
this dilemma is seen in many artist , their inability to manage business , they have the product (talent) but dont listen to the individuals with experience /expertise on the business side to make thier talent a success.
AS the people say heritage is built of tougher stuff and someone who wants to dangle him on a string is only for a time that will work.
If there wasn’t so much SMOKE there wouldn’t have been so much fire.
Heritage has no respect, lots of people helped him.get that station going and he disrespect them daily even his own family members.
Heritage & Cindy. Two f**ls that don’t have any tact or decorum spewing verbal diarrhea under the guise of “keeping it real”. SMH
@ west side we just went ki**er AKA N to come out of jail we have a brand new h car for he 308 cal when he comes out the BVI going to c who is the real ki**er
Well all tola radio got to do is make a call to them friend west and big drew to give them some financial support
Since he always advertising them in his shows buh free this person and free that person strpz
Free a dude who calls himself kills and free a ex politician who almost sold the country out of greed. Craziness
He started get to big head for himself. I listened that twice and I don’t know how people could listen that pure ignorant people
Yo ki**er can’t come out one thing a smart man know, you have to cut off the heads of the snake and them waiting for him,dis is the killing feel and it his turn!
Ayo want shut down Heritage because he exposes a lot of wrong doing in the government .
Only his show we know what is going on
This had nothing to do with his business ethis
The show is an eye opener to the quagmire that goes on .
This is Natures Little Secret
We have been closing our eyes to what had been going on here and protectin UK / THE
GOVERNOR the gansters AND POINTING OUR DIRTY
FINGERS AT THE
UK /THE GOVERNOR /AND THE COMMISSIONER TO NFOOLNBTHE PEOPLE / ARE WE GOING TO BLAME THEM NOW ? OR HOW ABOUT THE
COI? / ¹THE WIGGED DUDE WOULD SOON BE HOLLERING NOUT HIS USUAL RACIAL LYRICS TO DECIEVE US THINKS HE IS A GENIUS , YEAH RITE
Thats the thing with free things the cost is usually greater than you realize its just not costing you money.