Barbados Broadcasting to 1940s

Barbados is located in the East of the Caribbean Sea.  In 2009, it had a population of 255,872 people, 90% descendants were African slaves, 6% Asian or mixed, and 4% white.  Its area is 166 square miles.  40% are Anglicans in this tropical island that became independent in 1966 from Great Britain.

In 1934, Radio Distribution (Barbados) was formed as a local company, and ushered in the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations that were eventually replaced by the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1940.  By 1935, Thomas Archer operated an amateur station VP6YB, through which Barbadians were invited to listen to local broadcasts.  There were two other such stations VP6TR and VP6MO.  It should be noted, that this was during the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) season, and Archer’s station broadcast the match, but none of the amateur stations were granted permanent licenses.  The Barbados Advocate in 1934, complained about poor reception, the crackling, and popping sounds during radio broadcasts. 

At a legislative session in 1934-1935, the governor of Barbados, M.A. Young, announced the establishment of the Radio Distribution (Barbados) Ltd., headed by Mansfield Robinson, with its first English manager Herbert J. Whitmell. Some advertising was permitted.  The station eventually got a five year license from the government, and was to be a wired, commercial operation.  Rediffusion had gotten a small amount of stock in England, in exchange for equipment 

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

needed to establish the service.  Around 1946, Overseas Rediffusion gained control of the company in a stock transfer.  Initially, for this service, Barbadians had to pay less than two dollars a month license fee, and the system covered the greater part of Bridgetown, its capital.

By 1938, Radio Distribution had expanded its service, and the company suffered a set back, because a fire destroyed the Central Foundry Building which held its offices and main amplifiers.  By 1939, with the beginning of WW11, a government experimental station was inaugurated, under the control of an information officer.  The station was government owned and non commercial.  In 1943, the government decided permanently against wireless broadcasting.