non-cable subscribers, after VSB TV Channel 11 struck a deal with NBC.

CBS and ABC programming was already available through ZBM TV Channel 9 and ZFB TV Channel 7 respectively.

Yesterday, VSB announced its affiliation with NBC International.

Mr. Mike Bishop, the station manager, said it was not the same as being an affiliate of the NBC network, but was the closest link with NBC available outside the Continental US.

VSB would receive "some very excellent prime time material,'' but not the NBC network's full prime time lineup, Mr. Bishop said.

Some syndicated programmes which are shown on NBC, like Fresh Prince, were not included and would continue to be seen on ZBM 9.

NBC Nightly News with Mr. Tom Brokaw, Dateline NBC, and all other news-related programming would be available, he said. The Tonight Show would not.

But viewers could expect NBC's full sports package, including NFL Football, the 1994 Super Bowl, PGA Golf, NBA Basketball, and the 1996 Olympic Games.

"We feel that this association with NBC, which we have been working on for some time, will provide VSB with a variety of interesting and exciting programming which allows us to further establish ourselves in the local broadcast market,'' Mr. Bishop told The Royal Gazette .

NBC sports programming would begin this weekend with the Michael Jordan Celebrity Golf Classic and professional volleyball. NBC news and entertainment programming would begin on October 1.

At ZBM/ZFB, Bermuda Broadcasting Company deputy general manager Mr. Rick Richardson said he thought the affiliation would make VSB more competitive.

But because NBC did not offer full network affiliation outside America, as CBS and ABC did, "it's not cut and dried,'' he said. "We're not locked out of NBC programming.'' In fact, Mr. Richardson said the BBC could secure rights to the 1996 Olympics.

If the BBC did, it would not be from NBC, Mr. Bishop said. "We are the ones who have the rights to the Olympics in 1996,'' he said.

Mr. Bishop also announced that the local programme Style! Bermuda would move to a new time of 8 p.m. on Mondays.

A new nightly programme called Sunset Bermuda, hosted by Mr. Bishop and Mrs.

Shirley Dill, would be offered, he said.