The radio programming in Trinidad and Tobago caters to a diverse ethnic demographic. The genesis of radio broadcasting in Trinidad and Tobago began in 1925 with British Rediffiusion via a wired relay network. During World War II, the US Armed Forces Radio Service network – WVDI 570 AM Radio began broadcasting in May 1943 from Fort Reid, Chaguaramas. [1] At that time, WVDI mainly serviced the armed forces throughout the Caribbean.
British Rediffusion now Rediffusion (Trinidad) Limited created the Trinidad Broadcasting Company in 1946 which launched Radio Trinidad 730 AM in 1947. On October 13, 1957, Radio Guardian 610 AM was launched with the state acquiring the station and renaming it the National Broadcasting Service or NBS 610 Action Radio on November 1, 1969. NBS went on to launch Radio 100 FM on October 6, 1972, being the first station to broadcast on the FM signal. On March 14, 1976, the Trinidad Broadcasting Company launched 95.1 FM, the first privately owned FM station. On January 1, 1991, Radio 105.1 FM became the first station to broadcast local and Caribbean content. In 1992, Radio 97.1 FM became the first station to broadcast pure Adult Contemporary. On July 5, 1993, Radio 103.1 FM became the first station to broadcast the East-Indian format. [2] On December 16, 1993, Radio 96.1FM became the first station to broadcast the Urban Caribbean, R&B and Hip-Hop format. In 1997, Radio 102.1 FM became the first station to broadcast the "Talk Radio" format.
The stations below cover both the AM and FM broadcast bands. Where possible, nicknames of stations have been given alongside the frequencies.
AM stations
The last AM Station, Radio Trinidad 730AM, ceased broadcasting on April 5, 2015 and rebranded as Sky 99.5 on the FM band.
FM Stations
| Callsign | Frequency | City/Town, Island | Network affiliation/Owner | Format | Transmitter Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulse 89.5 FM | 89.5 | Signal Hill, Tobago | Trico Industries Ltd | Variety | Scarborough, Tobago |
| WACK Radio | 90.1 | San Fernando, Trinidad | KMP Music Group Ltd. | Calypso, Soca | San Fernando Hill. |
| Radio 90.5 | 90.5 | Valsayn, Trinidad | Central Radio 90FM Limited | Local Indian music, Bollywood | Cumberland Hill |
| Talk City 91.1 | 91.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | TTT Limited | Talk | Cumberland Hill |
| Mad FM | 91.5 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Caribbean Broadcasting Systems and Services Limited | Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, Urban & Variety. | Port of Spain, Trinidad |
| The Street 91.9 FM | 91.9 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | TriniBashment Ltd. | Soca | Maraval, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Taj 92.3 | 92.3 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Side Walk Radio | Local Indian and Bollywood | Curepe, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Radio Tambrin | 92.7 | Scarborough, Tobago | Kaisoca Productions Ltd. | Talk | Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Hott 93 | 93.5 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | One Caribbean Media (OCM) | Pop, Rock, R&B & Variety | Cumberland Hills, Monserrat Hills |
| Boom Champions 94.1 | 94.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Superior Infinite Productions Limited | Urban | Morne Leotaud |
| Star 947 | 94.7 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Trinidad and Tobago Radio Network | Pop, Rock, R&B & Variety | Cumberland Hill |
| 95 The Ultimate One | 95.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | The TBC Radio Network | Pop, Rock, R&B & Variety | Cumberland Hill |
| I95.5FM | 95.5 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | One Caribbean Media (OCM) | News/Talk | Cumberland Hills, Monserrat Hills |
| WEFM | 96.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Trinidad and Tobago Radio Network | Dancehall, Reggae, Soca, Urban | Cumberland Hills |
| Red 96.7 FM | 96.7 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | One Caribbean Media (OCM) | Urban | Monserrat Hill |
| Music Radio 97 | 97.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Telemedia Limited (CL Communications) | Easy Listening | Cumberland Hill |
| U97.5 Hot Like Pepper | 97.5 | Chaguanas, Trinidad | Upward Trend Entertainment Ltd./Multicultural Radio | Asian music/Mix Music | North Post, Diego Martin |
| ISAAC 98.1 [The Promise] | 98.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Family Focus Broadcasting Network | Gospel | North Post, Diego Martin |
| BBC World Service | 98.7 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | British Broadcasting Corporation | World News | Cumberland Hill |
| Next FM | 99.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | TTT Limited | Soca | Cumberland Hill |
| Sky 99.5 | 99.5 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | The TBC Radio Network | Religious | Cumberland Hill, San Fernando Hill |
| Sweet FM | 100.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | TTT Limited | Soca , Adult Urban [R&B] | Cumberland Hill |
| Slam 100.5 | 100.5 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | The TBC Radio Network | Reggae, Soca, Urban | Cumberland Hills |
| Scorch FM | 101.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Scorch Limited | Soca | Cumberland Hills |
| Fire 101.7 FM | 101.7 | San Fernando, Trinidad | Heritage Communications Limited | Indian/Bollywood/Pop/Mix Music | San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Lit102.3fm | 102.3 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Radio Vision | Pop, Rock, R&B & Variety | Monserrat Hill |
| Radio Jaagriti 102.7 FM | 102.7 | Tunapuna, Trinidad | Central Broadcasting Services Ltd. | Hindu religious programming | Monserrat Hill |
| 103FM | 103.1 | Barataria, Trinidad | Winfield Aleong Broadcasting Company Ltd. | Local Indian/Bollywood | Monserrat Hill |
| Platinum Hits 103.5FM | 103.5 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | United Cinemas Limited | AC | Cumberland Hill |
| Heartbeat 104.1FM | 104.1 | Valsayn, Trinidad | Radio News Network | Adult Urban [R&B] | Cumberland Hill |
| MORE FM | 104.7 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | PBCT Limited | Talk | Long Mountain, North Post |
| Vibe CT 105.1 FM | 105.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | The TBC Radio Network | Sport/ Variety | Cumberland Hills |
| The Parliament Channel | 105.5 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Government of Trinidad and Tobago | Talk | Cumberland Hill |
| Sangeet 106.1 FM | 106.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | The TBC Radio Network | Local Indian/Bollywood/Variety | Monserrat Hill |
| Freedom 106.5 | 106.5 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | The TBC Radio Network | Talk | Cumberland Hill |
| Radio Toco | 106.7 | Toco, Trinidad | Toco Multicultural Foundation for Integrated Development | Community News | Toco, Trinidad and Tobago |
| W 107.1 FM [The Word] | 107.1 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | One Caribbean Media (OCM) | Christian | Morne Chaleur |
| 107.7 FM Music for Life | 107.7 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Trinidad and Tobago Radio Network | Soul | Monserrat Hill |
HD Radio Stations
Defunct
- Radio Trinidad - Inspirational Radio 730 AM (Golden Network)
- Voice of Rediffusion (Silver Network)
- NBS Radio 610AM ( Radio Guardian)
- Love 94.1FM Heart And Soul (Gospel Station)
- Radio Shakti 97.5FM
- 98.9 YES FM (Formerly Radi-YO)
- WMJX Radio 100.5FM Smooth Jazz
- Ebony Radio 104.1FM [3]
- Radio Prime 106.1FM
- WIN Radio 101.1FM
- Power 102.1FM
- Aakash Vani 106.5FM
Other Links
References
- ^ Deacon, Gary (2015-05-27). "Vintage QSLs from the Golden Days of Radio : TRINIDAD WVDI Chaguaramus - 1958". Vintage QSLs from the Golden Days of Radio. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
- ^ Webmaster. "Company Overview | 103FM: First, Finest, Forever". Retrieved 2019-08-12.
- ^ [1]
- Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) - List of radio licenses issued by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago
- [1] - Trinidad and Tobago Guardian 2018-02-17
