Forty nine years old and still going strong, ZIZ Radio marking a significant milestone

ZIZ News…March 5, 2010 – ZIZ Radio is marking yet another milestone in the history of Broadcasting not only in St. Kitts Nevis but throughout the region by been one of the longest National Broadcasting Institution.

Today, Friday March 5, marks 49 years of Broadcasting, one year short of its Golden Jubilee celebration.

Throughout the day persons were given an opportunity to call in and wish ZIZ Radio a happy 49th birthday and persons also got an opportunity to win various prizes compliments business houses which have been partnering with ZIZ Radio over the years.

Following surveys that have been done by reputable firms over the years and also by some local business enterprises, ZIZ Radio continues to lead the market.

From since the inception of ZIZ Radio it has gone through many changes to better serve the public with the addition of the FM frequency and its presence on the World Wide Web.

And for a brief history of ZIZ Radio, on Sunday, the 5th March 1961 the project became a reality. Punctually at 4.00 p.m. Administrator Lieutenant Colonel H.A.C. Howard opened the proceedings. The Hon. F.T. Williams then handed the keys to the building to the Chief Minister Southwell who delivered the feature address in which he gave a brief history of the project and acknowledged the contribution of all those involved. He also explained the Government’s involvement in the project. He said that radio was considered such a potent and effective force for good or ill that governments all over the world found it necessary to control broadcasting in their territories. He also expressed the readiness of the St. Kitts Government to co-operate with the West Indies Federal Government in respect to any reasonable proposals for regional broadcasting. At the end of his speech Southwell handed the key to the building to Lord Hailes, Governor General of the Federation of the West Indies who proceeded to open the Station.

Following the official launching, ZIZ started transmitting for a three-hour period, between six and nine every evening. One of the very first speakers to be heard on the air was Joseph Archibald, Registrar of the Territory who shared his favourite gramophone recordings with his audience in My Kind of Music. A big success was the transmission of three songs recorded at the Irish Town School. Broadcasting and Information Officer Osbourne hoped that this was the beginning of a series of visits to schools throughout the island. Lorna Sheppard, Secretary of the Station was also given the duty of announcing the songs on Pepperpot, a children’s programme and of introducing the Wednesday Concert. The technical side of the operation was in the hands of Zephaniah Joseph. Lloyd (Bill) Bramble was appointed programme assistant in 1963 and Eustace Hicks joined the the staff as Operator technician in 1966.