A new initiative intended to expose Bermuda to millions of viewers of a major US network television programme is expected to roll out this morning at little cost to the taxpayer.In March, Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert announced a partnership with Bermuda Broadcasting Company that was supposed to ensure live images of Bermuda beamed across the US between segments on the CBS This Morning Show.Describing the move as an “unprecedented opportunity” the Minister said the live inserts would also feature regular weather updates on Bermuda’s climate and that there were plans to secure a similar deal with ABC.He said the Island would benefit from unlimited publicity, with $350,000 paid to local CBS and ABC affiliate Bermuda Broadcasting Company Limited as part of the deal.Yesterday, BBC CEO Rick Richardson said that after months of testing, the live shots would begin today “or Friday latest”.However Government would now pay “virtually nothing” as BBC had found alternative sponsors, Mr Richardson said in an e-mail.“We have discussed sponsorship that would have the Government only paying for part of the research and development. So the original agreement on the money side will change. We put that to Tourism yesterday as we have sponsors.”He continued: “The Government, at the end of the day, will pay virtually nothing for the deal.”When he announced the partnership with BBC earlier this year, Mr Furbert said the $350,000 cost to the taxpayer paled in comparison to the millions of dollars worth of exposure that Bermuda would get.But he could not give a start time or say how long Bermuda would be featured on the network schedule.The Royal Gazette made repeated attempts to update the public on the initiative only to be met with silence from Mr Furbert and Mr Richardson.Last week a Government spokesperson would only say that “discussions are ongoing”.Mr Richardson noted yesterday that the two parties were required to keep the agreement confidential. But he said that the arrangement “calls for installments and a technical fee”.BBC will provide the live shots to CBS, which will broadcast them at their discretion.The CBS arrangement also proposes a live segment from Bermuda and a contest offering viewers the chance to win a trip to the Island.