Not just Dancehall: new show reveals the women behind the dance

BY SELINA McCALLUM

CEEN TV, Caribbean Entertainment Everyday Network, announced recently that they have partnered with Elliott Productions, creators and producers of reality series Dancehall Divas, to bring the show to its international audiences in early 2020.

Dancehall Divas will highlight the intriguing lives of some of the women who are part of the complex dancehall sub-culture lifestyle. Riddled with drama, opulence and swag, viewers will see how the other half of dancehall lives. The show seeks to challenge the popular, sometimes misunderstood perception, of what the dancehall lifestyle is about.

These Divas, though sometimes controversial, are also accomplished, career-driven, and intelligent, and yet they show the versatility of being part of a vibrant dancehall scene.

The Divas will represent Caribbean cities, the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and Kingston, Jamaica.

The executives of CEEN TV are proud to be part of this partnership.

“CEEN TV is always at the forefront and continues to be the cutting edge of Caribbean content, and Dancehall Divas is just another bold step in satisfying the ever growing demand of original and local content,” said CEEN TV representative.

The network is based in Kingston, Jamaica, and is for Caribbean people throughout America, Canada and the UK. It is the North American sister channel of Sportsmax.

CEEN TV is provided by cable providers Rogers and Bell in Canada, and Fios and Optimum in America. The network has broadcast access in over 1.7 million homes, is currently the most watched multi-cultural channel in the diaspora and is also streamed globally online via subscription.

“CEEN TV is the only 24/7 channel that caters 100% to the appetite of not just the Caribbean diaspora, but also stake holders and persons who are interested in and consuming things Caribbean,” said a representative of the network.

This will be the first reality show of its kind in the world, but when comparing Dancehall Divas to other reality TV shows, it comes close to Love and Hip Hop and Basketball Wives.

The first season will have ten 30 minute shows and a live reunion show. The series will air Thursday nights from 9:00 pm to 9:30 pm, a prime time TV slot giving a chance for the show to capitalize on the sole attention of its audience. Dancehall Divas will appeal to the targeted demographic advertisers most favour — women between the ages of 24 and 55 years old.

Creator and Executive Producer, Heather Whitehead, noted that there will be about nine main cast-members appearing in the series.

“I can say without a doubt that the official first season will be nothing short or riveting and sensational, because we have included cast-members who will force the conversation about inclusivity and diversity in dancehall,” said Whitehead.

The Executive Producer said the official cast photos and reveal will be released closer to the launch of the series.

“The cast’s unique stories, mishaps and everything in between will resonate with and be relatable to viewers and this makes for an entertaining, must-see television. This is not your average dancehall content,” said Whitehead.