Coined by his colleagues as the “Media King,” Anton Darrel Parks wears many hats, but the one that fits best is senior television producer. After returning to his hometown of Tobago following years of study and work in England, he became known for his relentless pursuit of excellence, consistently striving to elevate local broadcasting into something distinctly Tobagonian — marked by creativity, professionalism, and national pride.
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- I wanted to modernize the look and feel of what was coming out of Tobago, so I created TLtv, an online platform focused on everything in Tobago, he said.
- Being a father, he said. I want my kids to know that their dad did a lot for Tobago and loved what he did.
Born in Scarborough, Tobago, to Anthony and Bernadette Parks, Anton attended Scarborough Methodist School before earning placement at Bishop’s High School. Long before cameras and studio lights, however, his path looked very different. After graduation, he moved to London in 1998 to pursue a career in information technology, earning an associate degree in computer science from South Chelsea College.
Anton began his professional career in central London as an IT analyst at the German investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, where he worked in data entry for several years. Still, it was his passion for music that ultimately redirected his path. A devoted music enthusiast, he moonlighted as a DJ known across London as “DJ Parks” performing at clubs and pubs before securing a Saturday morning slot at Brixton-based radio station Lightning 90.8 FM.
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It was there that station manager Mr. Fox offered pivotal advice: “You have a nice voice, bruv you should be an announcer.” Taking that encouragement seriously, Anton enrolled at the London School of Journalism and later attended London Metropolitan University. He graduated with honors, earning a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and communication, which also led to a short internship at Leavesden Film Studios the renowned home of the Harry Potter film series.
In 2009, Anton returned to Tobago and began working as a radio announcer at The Street 91.9 FM, where he hosted and produced several shows. The weekday morning program “Wired” and the Sunday afternoon show “Back in Times” quickly became household staples.
His transition into television came unexpectedly during a walk through Signal Hill with his youngest daughter, Tamara.
“What’s that building?” she asked.
“That’s the local TV station,” Anton replied.
“Dad, wouldn’t it be cool if you worked on radio and TV?”
That moment became the catalyst for his television career. Within days of submitting his résumé, Anton was hired at Tobago Channel 5 as a technical operator trainee. His rise, however, was swift.
Soon affectionately known as “Uncle Parks,” he became the face of “Jamboree,” an interactive children’s show he co-hosted with Aunty Cammie at Gulf City Mall in Lowlands. It was also the first television show he produced. He quickly became known for producing much of the station’s live programming, including its flagship program, “Rise & Shine.”
Anton’s productions extended beyond the studio, bringing viewers across Tobago from Pigeon Point and Fort King George to Little Tobago in Speyside and the Nylon Pool. Among his most memorable works were short five-minute feature segments with host Kandace Jackson, which pushed the boundaries of local television.
He soon discovered a deep passion for production. A defining moment came with “Spice-Island in the Pot,” a vibrant 30-minute cooking show featuring food designer Arlene Pereira. Unlike his previous projects, Anton fully owned the process conceptualizing, directing, filming, editing and marketing the show. “Spice” became the cultural foundation for his next chapter.
Driven by a desire to elevate Tobago’s media presence and showcase the island beyond the expected, Anton launched Total Local Television (TLtv), an online streaming platform dedicated to current affairs, human interest stories, and entertainment.
I wanted to modernize the look and feel of what was coming out of Tobago, so I created TLtv, an online platform focused on everything in Tobago, he said.
An even greater milestone followed. In October 2021, through a collaboration with former Tobago Channel 5 colleagues, Tobago Updates Television was launched. The station offered a more creative and relatable approach to broadcasting, with Anton at the forefront pushing boundaries through innovative programming, including live morning shows filmed outside the traditional studio setting.
Reflecting on his work, Anton says his favorite part of broadcasting is simple: “Seeing the ideas I put on paper come to life on screen. The euphoria is unexplainable.”
He credits his upbringing in Tobago for instilling humility, discipline and compassion qualities that prepared him for life abroad. In turn, his years in England cultivated resilience, adaptability and diligence.
Yet, despite a career spanning more than 20 years, his proudest achievement remains deeply personal.
Being a father, he said. I want my kids to know that their dad did a lot for Tobago and loved what he did.
Now based in the United States, Anton continues his work in media educating, consulting and creating content while sharing his decades of experience with the next generation of broadcasters.
