Radio in Guyana

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The radio programming in Guyana caters to a diverse ethnic demographic.

Contents

History

Radio began in 1920s British Guiana with rudimentary wired service using telephone lines to transmit BBC broadcasts. Shortwave was used until 1931, then made a comeback in 1935 when there was a demand for cricket commentary. From this came two stations, VP3BG and VPSMR which were run separately until 1938 when they were merged into station ZFY under the British Guiana United Broadcasting Co Ltd. In 1949, ZFY secured a medium wave transmitter. In 1950 the first foreign capital entered the radio market when ZFY was purchased by Overseas Rediffusion Ltd. ZFY was renamed Radio Demerara in 1951, and in 1955 moved into the first professional studio on high street. and in 1957 a new transmitting and receiving station was erected at Sparendaam on the East Coast Demerara. A second station was established in 1958, the British Guiana Broadcasting Service (BGBS). [1]

In 1968, the government took over BGBS, and it became the Guyana Broadcasting Service (GBS). Soon after, Guyana gained independence from Britain, and the policy shifted toward one of nationalization. In 1979, assets in Radio Demerara were sold by Broadcasting Relay (Overseas) Limited to the government. [1]

GBS rebranded in 1980, by then with Channel 1, on the frequencies of former Radio Demerara at 760 kHz and Channel 2, formerly GBS at 560 kHz. Channel One became Radio Roraima and Channel 2 was renamed Voice of Guyana. FM service 98.1 went on the air in 1998. In 2004, GBC and the Guyana Television Broadcasting Company Limited (GTV) merged to form a new company, National Communication Network Incorporated (NCN). [1] The airwaves were then government-dominated, owning and operates two radio stations broadcasting on multiple frequencies capable of reaching the entire country; government limits on licensing of new private radio stations constrained competition as of 2007. [2] Licenses and competition: In 2009 the Court of Appeal ruled that the government had an unlawful monopoly on the airwaves and was not adequately considering radio license applications. In 2011 the government approved applications for ten new radio stations, although the process was controversial and lacked transparency.

The first privately owned radio station obtained license in 2012, and it was closely aligned with the government. [3] Vieira Communications Limited (VCT) charged the National Frequency Management Unit with procrastinating on radio license applications since their own application languished since 1993. [4] In 2013, NTN was the second such privately owned radio station to obtain a license. [5]

Legislation

Press freedom: The government controls most radio stations, which limits the dissemination of diverse views and open public discussion. The NGO Reporters Without Borders criticized press freedom in the country in 2012, due largely to its radio broadcasting monopolies. [3]

The 2011 Broadcasting Act granted wide and sweeping powers to GNBA for the issuing, suspension and revocation of licenses, and for demanding uncapped amounts of time for Public Service Broadcasts. In order to clarify the amount of public service content required by stations, the Broadcast Bill 2017 established that all broadcasters carry one hour of public service programs daily. [6] Breaking this law subjects station owners to a one-year prison term, a fine of $1 million and the forfeiture of all their equipment. International press freedom bodies, such as Reporters without Borders and the International Press Institute, voiced concerns over the provisions of the bill. [7]

Stations

These stations cover both the AM and FM broadcast bands. Where possible, nicknames of stations have been given alongside the frequencies.

AM stations

Callsign FrequencyURLStreamCity/Town Network affiliation/Owner Format
Voice of Guyana560 Online Guyana
Voice of Guyana700 Online Guyana

FM stations

Callsign FrequencyURLStreamCity/Town Network affiliation/Owner Format
Little Rock Radio - 88.5 Rock FM88.5 Online Guyana Rock
NTN Radio [5] 89.1 Online Guyana
Radio Guyana89.3/89.5/89.7 Online Guyana Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. [4] R&B, Soca, Bollywood Hits, Chutney, Hip-Hop and Reggae
Mix 90.1FM 90.1/91.5/103.3 Online Audio Georgetown

Linden

TBC Radio Network Pop, Rock, R&B & Variety
Real FM93.1 Online Guyana Top 40/Pop
Hits and Jams 94.1 BOOM FM94.1 Online Guyana Variety
Radio Essequibo [8] 95.5 Anna Regina [9] NCN Regional broadcasting (Adventure, Akawini Mission, Bethany, Machabo, Kabakaburi) [10]
Radio Paiwomak97.1 Annai, Guyana NCN/North Rupununi District Development BoardGuyana's first indigenous community radio, in Macushi language. [11] [12]
98.1 Hot FM98.1 Online Guyana Soca, Chutney, Reggae, Pop & News
Vibes 100.1 FM100.1 Online Guyana Variety
Mega 102.1102.1 Online Georgetown International
Voice of Guyana102.5 Online Guyana
104.3 Power FM104.3 Online Guyana
Voice of Guyana106.5 Online Guyana

Defunct

Related Research Articles

The transport sector comprises the physical infrastructure, docks and vehicle, terminals, fleets, ancillary equipment and service delivery of all the various modes of transport operating in Guyana. The transport services, transport agencies providing these services, the organizations and people who plan, build, maintain, and operate the system, and the policies that mold its development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low-power broadcasting</span> Radio or TV service, 100w or less

Low-power broadcasting is broadcasting by a broadcast station at a low transmitter power output to a smaller service area than "full power" stations within the same region. It is often distinguished from "micropower broadcasting" and broadcast translators. LPAM, LPFM and LPTV are in various levels of use across the world, varying widely based on the laws and their enforcement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regions of Guyana</span>

Guyana is divided into 10 Regions:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demerara</span> 1745–1803 Dutch colony in South America

Demerara is a historical region in the Guianas, on the north coast of South America, now part of the country of Guyana. It was a colony of the Dutch West India Company between 1745 and 1792 and a colony of the Dutch state from 1792 until 1815. It was merged with Essequibo in 1812 by the British who took control. It formally became a British colony in 1815 till Demerara-Essequibo was merged with Berbice to form the colony of British Guiana in 1831. In 1838, it became a county of British Guiana till 1958. In 1966, British Guiana gained independence as Guyana and in 1970 it became a republic as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. It was located around the lower course of the Demerara River, and its main settlement was Georgetown.

Aboriginal Voices Radio Network was a Canadian radio network, which primarily broadcast music programming and other content of interest to aboriginal people. As of June 2015, the network operated stations in Toronto, Ontario, Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta, and Vancouver, British Columbia. All of its stations were licensed as rebroadcasters of its flagship station, CKAV-FM in Toronto. The network's administrative office was located in Ohsweken, Ontario, on the Six Nations Indian reserve near Brantford. The stations' music programming consisted mainly of adult contemporary music, along with specialty programs focusing on aboriginal-oriented content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demerara River</span> River in Guyana

The Demerara River is a river in eastern Guyana that rises in the central rainforests of the country and flows to the north for 346 kilometres until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. Georgetown, Guyana's largest seaport and capital, is situated on the east bank of the river's mouth. The river divides Essequibo Islands-West Demerara on the west bank from Demerara-Mahaica to the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parika</span> Place in Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Guyana

Parika is a port village located in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region of Guyana. Its ferry service is operated by the Ministry of Transportation, to and from the Essequibo Islands and West Demerara area. It is a hub for land transport, since it is a route stop for local taxis commonly called "buses."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Essequibo (colony)</span> 1616–1803 Dutch colony in South America

Essequibo was a colony and later county on the Essequibo River in the Guiana region on the north coast of South America. It was a colony of the Dutch West India Company between 1616 and 1792 and a colony of the Dutch state from 1792 until 1815. It was merged with Demerara in 1812 by the British who took control. It formally became a British colony in 1815 till Demerara-Essequibo was merged with Berbice to form the colony of British Guiana in 1831. In 1838, it became a county of British Guiana till 1958. In 1966, British Guiana gained independence as Guyana and in 1970 it became a republic as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. It was located around the lower course of the Demerara River, and its main settlement was Georgetown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potaro River</span> River in Guyana

The Potaro River is a river in Guyana that runs from Mount Ayanganna area of the Pakaraima Mountains for approximately 255 km (158 mi) before flowing into the Essequibo River, Guyana's largest river. The renowned Kaieteur Falls is on the Potaro.

The Konawaruk River is a river in Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana. About 60 miles long, it is a tributary of the Essequibo River, joining it just south of the Potaro River mouth at 5°18′N58°55′W.

The Railways of Guyana comprised two public railways, the Demerara-Berbice Railway and the Demerara-Essequibo railway. There are also several industrial railways mainly for the bauxite industry. The Demerara-Berbice Railway is the oldest in South America. None of the railways are in operation in the 21st century.

Adventure is a village located in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region of Guyana, on the Atlantic coast, at sea level, one mile south of Onderneeming.

Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is a publicly owned utility company in Guyana, providing electric power in the country. Domestic voltage can be 110 or 220 depending on the area, both 50 and 60 cycle power. Services are provided from Charity to Moleson Creek, including the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam in the Essequibo River.

Telecommunications in Guyana include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet. Early telecommunications were owned by large foreign firms until the industry was nationalized in the 1970s. Government stifled criticism with a tight control of the media, and the infrastructure lagged behind other countries, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) holding a monopoly on most such services. In a 2012 census report on Guyanese households, 55.5% had a radio, 82.7% had a television, 27.8% had a personal computer, and 16.2% had internet at home, 49.3% had a telephone landline, and 70.6% had a cellular phone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockstone</span> Village in Upper Demerara-Berbice, Guyana

Rockstone is a village on the right bank of the Essequibo River in the Upper Demerara-Berbice Region of Guyana, altitude 6 metres. Rockstone is approximately 26 km west of Linden and is linked by road.

The Kuribrong River is a river of Guyana, a tributary of the Potaro River 2 miles north east of Potaro Landing.

National Communications Network (NCN) is a national, state-owned television and radio broadcasting corporation in Guyana. It was formed in 2004 through the merger of the government radio service, Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and the government-run television service, GTV. NCN's studios are situated on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown.

Mining in Guyana is a significant contributor to the economy owing to sizable reserves of bauxite, gold, and diamonds. Much of these resources are found in Guyana's Hilly Sand and Clay belt, a region that makes up 20% of the country.

Windsor Forest is a village in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara of Guyana. It is located along the Atlantic Ocean coast. It was the first Chinese settlement in Guyana, however few Chinese remain. It was the birthplace of First Guyana President Arthur Chung.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuschen</span> Village in Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Guyana

Tuschen is a village in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region of Guyana. It is located along the Atlantic Ocean coast. The original name of the village was Tuschen de Vrienden. During the 20th century, it was a small village. The Tuschen Housing Scheme resulted in a considerable growth, and is one of the largest housing schemes in Guyana.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "A brief history of radio in Guyana". Stabroek News. 2010-10-28. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  2. ↑ "Guyana Communications", World Factbook, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, 4 December 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Guyana", Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 20 March 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Ramroop Group radio on the airwaves". Stabroek News. 2012-12-08. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  5. 1 2 "NTN launches radio station". Stabroek News. 2013-03-03. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  6. ↑ "PM defends one-hour demand on stations". Stabroek News. 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  7. ↑ "Broadcasting amendments enacted". Stabroek News. 2017-09-25. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  8. ↑ "Radio Essequibo commissioned". Stabroek News. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  9. ↑ "Radio Essequibo commissioned". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  10. ↑ "President commissions $12M 'Radio Essequibo'". News Room Guyana. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  11. ↑ "Radio Paiwomak 97.1 FM | North Rupununi District Development Board". nrddb.org. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  12. ↑ "Radio Paiwomak celebrates 20th anniversary". Guyana Chronicle. 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
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