Business Access TV (BATV) was launched July 12 of 2015 and is already a fast rising commodity in the business realm. With founder and business entrepreneur at the helm, Garth Walker felt it necessary to not only hire the right team but to do so with a strict time line in mind. It was crucial for Walker to secure the right team as he emphasized in his own words “the right team can guarantee your success or your failure” and he did sought tirelessly, hiring 27 persons in approximately three months. As he shared his experience of the birth of BATV he also shared some advice for young entrepreneurs. “Even though it is good to listen and take advice from those around you including staff, as a leader you must know when to take a stand.” It is on this basis that BATV was born.

As a business man, Garth Walker considers himself a workaholic. However he plays just as hard so he is always ready for a good social event. His staff can attest to him being in business mode 24 hours a day. “You can reach me any time, as long as you are talking business” says Walker. A family man at all times Garth considers his businesses as his children so it is his responsibility to take care of them. Although always in work mode it is not tiresome or overbearing to him and he was able to share the secret… “Always look at the BIG picture, it’s not work if you are doing something you love to do. Every day brings a new challenge and the exciting prospect of meeting this head on.”

Business Access TV was born out of the ever popular Wealth Magazine; as persons bought into the brand, both television and magazine grew in popularity. BATV has since become more independent, increasing in viewership with each program aired. And with a huge announcement set to rock the Caribbean, the next step for BATV will be a tremendous one. The Observer team was able to scoop first-hand knowledge about a new contract Business Access TV has just signed to distribute their channel in both Trinidad and Barbados. This creates a big deal as the markets for media and advertising are not only being opened up further but will soon have a bridge between them. Walker sees BATV as more than a Jamaica business channel but more of a regional channel that can be simultaneously broadcasting the same feed while remaining relevant across the Caribbean. The way Walker sees it “The next three years Business Access TV must be a power house in the region.” This seems to be more than achievable as their motto reminds us that they are “Serious About Business”.

Business Access TV delivers high quality programs that promote positive ideas and initiatives to grow wealth and prosperity. He is not afraid to take the calculated risk in a not so ideal economy because he knows “business is out there, it is for us to go find it” and with that said there was an immediate call for more vibrancy especially in the media industry and for advertising on a whole.

Garth doesn’t consider himself an emotional person but when asked about his favourite memory of BATV he took a moment to reminisce on the day of the launch and just like a proud parent he was filled with joy.

One of his biggest unofficial mentors is Butch Hendrickson who he admires for his dedication to the building of small business; especially in manufacturing and other sectors. He also admires the honesty in which he conveys in conversations. Pretty much “what you see is what you get”.

“I never had a doubt in my mind that BATV has a space in this market, we started with zero clients but we are here to compete with a particular segment of that market.” As the two major cable providers continue to build out and expand coupled with the soon to be launched ReadyTV by Chris Dehring, BATV will continue to expand its reach domestically; especially with the recently penned deal to distribute in Trinidad and Barbados. BATV is nicely positioned to capitalize on the cable viewership in the Caribbean. Providing 13 quality business programs with one in particular Walker describes as a sure hit… that is BATV’s coverage of corporate events. “Hundreds of corporate events that were not usually covered by video, BATV has bridged that gap and will continue bridge that gap for our clients; this has turned out to be a winner as I knew it would”.

“BATV is here to recanalize how we think and over the next couple months as we continue to expand our footprint in the Caribbean as Jamaicans, Trinidadians, Bajans, etc will be able to watch BATV’s programming including their domestic businesses from their respective countries and for the travellers they will have the same Business Access TV wherever they go.” BATV is serious about business and it shows.