Digicel announces closure of its region-wide news outlet and sports broadcaster

Telecommunication giant, Digicel, has announced that it is shutting down its Caribbean-wide news outlet, Loop News and its regional sports broadcaster, SportsMax as it repositions its business operation.

Loop News will shut down immediately while plans are underway to wind down SportsMax by August 8.

In a statement on July 8, Digicel Group Business Officer, Liam Donnelly, said the move “is a strategic repositioning to ensure Digicel is best placed to deliver secure, scalable services for the future.”

“While we are proud of the legacy of SportsMax and Loop News, we are now focused on where we can create the greatest value for our customers and the communities we serve,” he said.

On its website, Loop News said it was proud of what it has achieved over its 11 years of its operation by providing news for people across the Caribbean.

“Since our inception, Loop has become a trusted source of news, winning several awards and building a passionate, engaged community of readers and viewers,” the site said. “As we reflect on over a decade of journalism and community impact, we are deeply grateful for the relationships we have built and the stories we have told.”

Loop News was founded in 2014 and had gathered many readers across the Caribbean, from Jamaica to Trinidad.

“We would like to say thank you for the incredible support we have received from our readers and viewers across the Caribbean and beyond over the years and are deeply honored to have been a part of your daily lives,” the news site said in announcing the closure.

SportsMax was launched in 2002 and featured local, regional, and international premier sporting content. Throughout its operation, it had amassed viewers from across the Caribbean and also on the international market.

Donelly said Digicel will now focus on Trend Media and the recently acquired tech firm, Symptai, which will allow the company to offer an expanded suite of ICT services, including cloud, cybersecurity, digital advertising, and compliance. These will be supported by strategic partnerships and a growing demand for end-to-end managed solutions across the region.

“We extend our gratitude to the teams behind these brands and to the audiences who welcomed them into their lives,” Donnelly stated. “Their work has left a lasting mark, and we thank them for it. Likewise, we would like to thank the readers and viewers of Loop News and SportsMax for spending time with us over the years. It’s been a privilege to inform and entertain you.”

He said affected staff members have been advised and the company will provide transition support in accordance with local laws.