Anton Darrel Parks has worn many hats, but the one that fits him best is Senior Television Producer. Affectionately dubbed the “Media King” by colleagues, Parks was known for his relentless pursuit of excellence, consistently striving to elevate the standard of local broadcasting to a stage of enhanced creativity, professionalism, and national pride.

 

Born in Scarborough, Tobago, to parents Anthony and Bernadette Parks, Anton attended the Scarborough Methodist School before moving on to Bishop’s High School. Long before the cameras and studio lights, Parks was on a vastly different professional path. After graduating from Bishop’s High, he migrated to London, England, in 1998 to pursue a career in Information Technology, obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science from South Chelsea College.

Anton embarked on a brief career as an IT analyst at the German investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort Benson (DKB), based in Central London, where he worked in data entry for several years. Yet, it was his passion for music that would eventually redirect him to broadcasting. A true music enthusiast, Parks also enjoyed moonlighting as a DJ, known across music industry as “Dj Parks” while playing at various clubs and pubs across London. On Saturday mornings Parks secured a slot at the Brixton based radio station, Lightening 90.8FM.

It was here that the station manager, “Mr. Fox,” offered pivotal advice: “You have a nice voice bruv; you should be an announcer.” Not realizing the depth of this encouragement, Parks subsequently enrolled at the London School of Journalism and then at the London Metropolitan University in Lewisham.

 

Fueled by a newfound dedication to the airwaves, he graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcasting and Communication. This achievement also secured him a short internship at the prestigious Leavesden Film Studios, the legendary home of the Harry Potter series.

In 2009, Anton returned to Tobago from the UK and began working as a radio announcer on The Streets 91.9 FM’ where he hosted and producer several successful shows, The weekday morning show “Wired” and the Back in Times on Sunday afternoon quickly became household staples. His serendipitous return to television began with a simple stroll after lunch at his parents house through Signal Hill with his youngest daughter, Tamara, which led him to walk past the “blue building” what’s that building? Tamara asked, “That’s the local TV station” Dad, wouldn’t it be cool if you worked on Radio and Tv?

That would become the crucible of his broadcasting dreams on the island. Within days of submitting his résumé, he was hired, and a new chapter commenced. Parks started his career at Tobago Channel 5 as a Technical Operator Trainee, but his upward trajectory was swift.

Anton, or “Uncle Parks” as he became affectionately known, soon became the face of “Jamboree,” an exciting and interactive children’s show he co-hosted with “Aunty Cammie” at The Gulf City Mall in Lowlands. This was the first TV show he eventually produced—the inaugural step in a remarkable progression. He quickly became known for producing most of the station’s live on air programming, from the station’s flagship program, the Rise & Shine Morning Show to it’s political and highly acclaimed night shows High 5 Reloaded and Your Point of View.

Parks realized he had an intense, innate passion for production. His pivotal moment came with the production of “Spice-Island in the Pot,” with food designer Arlene Pereira, was a fresh colorful, stimulating, 30-minute cooking show that aired during the Saturday morning program, The Weekend Digest. Spice proved different from all the other shows he produced in the past: Parks conceptualized, directed, edited, filmed, and even marketed Spice. It quickly became the cultural foundation for his next professional chapter.

Armed with a burning desire to raise the bar of broadcast excellence in Tobago, he birthed Total Local Television (TLtv), an online streaming platform exclusively focused on everything Tobago. TLtv covered current affairs, human interest features, and, of course, entertainment. However, in October of 2021, a brand new television station emerged from the collaborative efforts of Parks and some of his former Tobago Channel 5 colleagues: Tobago Updates Television. Parks became instrumental in this fresh media venture, leveraging his producing imagination to transcend broadcast boundaries.

Parks produced the highly acclaimed Tobago Updates Morning Show, GMT, the 2 hour mid morning show Brunch, as well as the weekly political show 4 The Hour. His broadcasts took viewers beyond the studio walls—from Pigeon Point and Fort King George to Goat Island, Little Tobago in Speyside, and even the Nylon Pool— Parks brought Tobago’s picturesque beauty and culture directly into homes but some of his most memorable and enjoyable features were the short 5 minute capsules with host Kandace Jackson, which really pushed the envelope of local television.

When asked about his favorite aspect of broadcasting, he stated, “Seeing the ideas I put on paper come to life on screen. The euphoria is inexplainable and mind-blowing.”

Parks credits his Tobago upbringing for grounding him in humility, discipline, and compassion, qualities that prepared him for life in England. Conversely, his life in England instilled resilience, adaptability, and diligence. But for all his professional accolades, when asked about his proudest achievement, he replied simply, “Being a father.”

“I want my kids to know that their Dad did a lot for Tobago and loved what he did,” he says with a smile.

Now based in the United States, Parks continues his work in media, imparting his over 20 years of broadcasting knowledge through educating, consulting, and, naturally, content creation.