The government is considering introducing pay-per-view broadcasts for Antigua Carnival in an effort to generate additional revenue and encourage more people to attend events in person.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said free access allows some residents to watch Carnival shows from home instead of purchasing tickets and attending the events.

“The whole idea is to encourage people to leave their homes,” Browne said during the Browne and Browne Show.

Under the proposed arrangement, people who prefer to watch remotely could pay for access, while others may be encouraged to attend the shows rather than remain at home.

“We find that as quite an exciting middle ground, that you can raise some money even if they choose to stay home, or you incentivise someone to come to the shows,” Browne said.

The proposal follows concerns about gaps in attendance at some Carnival events. Browne was also told that pay-per-view broadcasting is already used by other Caribbean carnivals, including in St. Kitts and Montserrat.

No price, platform or implementation date has been announced. It also remains unclear whether pay-per-view would apply to every Carnival broadcast or only selected competitions and major shows.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Government Considers Pay-Per-View Broadcasts to Boost Carnival Revenue and Attendance.