Fresh TV, Bermuda?s newest television station, launched last year with lots of goodwill from the public and Government?s blessing, but with the anniversary of its first broadcast upon us, the station finds itself devoid of most of its staff and struggling to keep any original local programming on the air.

The station now provides a steady diet of reruns, with owner Elmore Warren making frequent appearances as news anchor.

Former news anchor Julie Matthews is understood to have left the company following a pay dispute.

Mr. Warren, who had promised that the station would reinvigorate the local television industry with fresh home-grown programming, declined to comment when asked for an update.

Government allowed Fresh TV to use its cable channel three free of charge for a trial period of one year.

Broadcasters Bermuda Broadcasting Company and DeFontes Broadcasting objected saying that Government was aiding unfair competition. But fears that existing stations would be drained of advertising revenue have not materialised, according to the BBC?s CEO Rick Richardson.

Mr. Richardson said that the past year had been ?tough? but that wasn?t because of Fresh TV.

?Fresh TV hasn?t affected our bottom line,? he said. ?The market for broadcast especially for television last year was particularly soft with a number of key clients not advertising on television as they were revamping their television campaigns.?

Mr. Richardson went on to say that Fresh TV had not delivered on its promises of quality local programming.

?We didn?t feel the impact of Fresh TV. They didn?t enter the market as they said they would enter, they did not deliver the programming that they promised, or the Minister promised, nor did they deliver the quality of programming they promised so Fresh TV did not have any impact.?

Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb had justified Government?s support saying there was a need for more local content on television, and said that after the one year review the station would have to pay the annual $14,000 licence fee.

Reports reaching this newsroom, however, suggest a cash-strapped organisation barely keeping its head above water.

?It would be like knocking the competition and I don?t want to criticise another company,? said Kenny DeFontes when asked his assessment of the new station?s performance.

?Certainly it?s taken revenue from both companies ? how much I don?t know. I can?t really comment on their operation because I?m not privy to their balance sheet.?

He would not comment on the quality of Fresh TV?s local programming but did report that three former staffers had approached his station for a job.

?I have two applications in writing and one verbal.?

Shawn Crockwell is keeping the faith, however. Mr. Crockwell, who hosted two recently suspended programmes on Fresh TV, told The Royal Gazette that he was still connected with the new station on a part- time basis.

?When he resumes broadcasting I will be back there as a host,? he said. ?As we stated on air he took a hiatus to focus on getting some sponsorship and I look forward to being a part of it.?

Asked his reaction if Government decided to extend the free trial period by another year, Mr. DeFontes said: ?Well maybe Government will consider giving the broadcasting companies free licences ? it will help both DeFontes and the other company.?

Ms Webb could not be reached for comment yesterday. But Telecommunications Director William Francis said that the department was in talks with Fresh TV about the future.

?We do realise the licence has expired and we are having discussions with them,? he said.