secured the rights to broadcast BBC World.

Rick Richardson, chief of Bermuda Broadcasting, said the deal would plug scheduling gaps, mostly on ZBM 9 Cable 3, which shows local and American CBS programmes.

The agreement, costing around $200 an hour, will also lead to more regular BBC World news programme slots on ZFB 7 Cable 2, also broadcast on Cable channel 13.

And Mr. Richardson said the link-up with the BBC could pave the way for Bermuda to air famous British shows like Panorama, Eastenders, Top of the Pops and Match of the Day.

He said: "The BBC have termed this a trial period to see that we are retransmitting OK and that there are no problems with signals and everything.

"We've just got a decoder from them and we've bought a new dish to meet their specifications.

"Hopefully, this will lead to something more substantial and we are certainly looking in those areas.'' ZFB and ZBM were anxious to sign up with BBC World so embarrassing gaps in programming -- when CBS is not airing to affiliate stations -- do not have to be filled by scheduling line-ups.

The deal, officially agreed on last week, will be part-paid by sponsorship if Bermuda Broadcasting executives can secure a corporate partner.

"We haven't written letters and arranged meetings yet but we certainly will be and that will start next week,'' added Mr. Richardson.

"I was at a conference in New Orleans last week and was on the line to the principles of the BBC and that was when we concluded the arrangements.

"I didn't want to delay it any further, as we had been in negotiations for several months, and now we are hoping to talk to some potential sponsors who want to identify with the product.'' He said the deal would be attractive to corporations who wanted to be part of a major community service, with BBC World now available on a free, non-cable channel.

He also claimed the BBC was the flag-bearer for worldwide news programmes, with the best reputation of any renowned TV network.

"The BBC is regarded as probably the best service in the world,'' added Mr.

Richardson.

"For the first time, this provides an opportunity for a corporate sponsor to identify with a quality product.

"They would also be doing a community service because many people still do not have cable. And if we are able to get corporate sponsorship, we may well be able to expand our BBC World coverage.

"This is something I am not averse to doing and something I have looked at for some time. I would like to see more of these news programmes, but also other programmes, and that's a personal feeling of mine.'' British Labour MP Ian Davidson, part of a Westminster delegation to Bermuda last month, said the Island could boost its ties with the UK by showing more British TV programmes.

Mr. Richardson added: "We have been trying for some time to get more programming from the UK.

"Now it appears as though we are through the first step and we're hoping to take it onto the next stage.''