Starcom Network
Encyclopedia
Starcom Network began its life as Radio Distribution (Barbados) Limited, with the introduction of the first broadcast
station then located at Wildey
, St. Michael in 1935. At that time, the company transmitted its broadcast signal using a cable network system, known as subscription radio
. As the only radio station in Barbados
until the first wireles radio station 900 AM
was started in 1963, subscribers used to pay for the radio on a monthly bases. The service (basically a large PA system) later renamed Barbados Rediffusion was broadcast via cable to wall-mounted textured wood finished receivers. Each device was connected to wires via telephone poles all the way back to the studio. The premier presenters were Alfred Pragnell, Olga Lopes-Seale
, Maurice Norville and David Ellis
. It was broadcast from 4pm to 10pm. The service was later expanded, featuring soap operas of the day. With the passage of time, Barbados Rediffusion closed on November 30 1997.
Voice of Barbados
then at the frequency 790 AM was introduced in 1981, as Barbados' second wireless radio station. With the change from 790 AM to 92.9 FM it became as Barbados' fourth FM station. Sister station "Yess 104.1 FM" (now known as Love FM) was Barbados' third station that broadcast in a full 24-hour rotation. Hott FM started on December 1 1997 as Starcom's second FM station by the company. The company also started selling television and other electronic items for consumers. Starcom also started the resale of US-based DirecTV
service. It changed to StarCom in 1999. With studio headquarters now located on River Road in capital city
Bridgetown
, St. Michael.
Broadcast
Broadcast or Broadcasting may refer to:* Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals* Broadcast, an individual television program or radio program* Broadcast , an English electronic music band...
station then located at Wildey
Wildey, Saint Michael, Barbados
The Wildey area of the Parish of Saint Michael located roughly 4 km east of Bridgetown, it lies on the border with the Parish of Christ Church. Normally a very busy area with the ABC Highway, Wildey is one of the main convergence points for vehicles travelling either towards the capital-city...
, St. Michael in 1935. At that time, the company transmitted its broadcast signal using a cable network system, known as subscription radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
. As the only radio station in Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
until the first wireles radio station 900 AM
900 AM (Barbados)
CBC Radio is the flagship radio station of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, Barbados' public broadcaster. It broadcasts on 900 kHz and 94.7 MHz .CBC Radio was introduced in 1963 as the first wireless radio station in Barbados...
was started in 1963, subscribers used to pay for the radio on a monthly bases. The service (basically a large PA system) later renamed Barbados Rediffusion was broadcast via cable to wall-mounted textured wood finished receivers. Each device was connected to wires via telephone poles all the way back to the studio. The premier presenters were Alfred Pragnell, Olga Lopes-Seale
Olga Lopes-Seale
Dame Olga Lopes-Seale, DA, GCM, MBE, BSS was a Guyanese-born Barbados-based social and community worker, radio broadcaster and singer.-Life:...
, Maurice Norville and David Ellis
David Ellis
David Ellis or Dave Ellis may refer to:* David Ellis , Welsh priest and poet* Dave Ellis , computer game designer and author...
. It was broadcast from 4pm to 10pm. The service was later expanded, featuring soap operas of the day. With the passage of time, Barbados Rediffusion closed on November 30 1997.
Voice of Barbados
Voice of Barbados
Voice of Barbados was introduced in 1981 as Barbados' second radio station. Originally located at 790 AM, the station was meant to complement the Redifussion service...
then at the frequency 790 AM was introduced in 1981, as Barbados' second wireless radio station. With the change from 790 AM to 92.9 FM it became as Barbados' fourth FM station. Sister station "Yess 104.1 FM" (now known as Love FM) was Barbados' third station that broadcast in a full 24-hour rotation. Hott FM started on December 1 1997 as Starcom's second FM station by the company. The company also started selling television and other electronic items for consumers. Starcom also started the resale of US-based DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
service. It changed to StarCom in 1999. With studio headquarters now located on River Road in capital city
Capital City
Capital City was a television show produced by Euston Films which focused on the lives of investment bankers in London living and working on the corporate trading floor for the fictional international bank Shane-Longman....
Bridgetown
Bridgetown
The city of Bridgetown , metropolitan pop 96,578 , is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. Formerly, the Town of Saint Michael, the Greater Bridgetown area is located within the parish of Saint Michael...
, St. Michael.
External links
- Starcom Network - website
- Starcom - Profile by ONE Caribbean Media
- History of the Starcom Network