About Us
For its first years ZIZ worked with limited means to serve the citizens of the Federation — airing parliamentary debates live (before England did the same), reading exam texts for students, and giving even the shut-ins a chance to be heard. Entertainment was never far away, from Aunt Lulu and Uncle Goldwyn to Karney Osbourne’s poetry and the Latin music of Goldwyn Caines.
Through the BBC came London Calling the Caribbean and, best of all, live commentary of World Cup and Test cricket — enjoyed in village shops across the islands. That spirit of keeping the Federation informed, educated and entertained still guides ZIZ today.
Our Timeline
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Mid-1930s · The call-sign ZIZ
The sons of Administrator Douglas Roy Stuart and Kittitian radio enthusiast Kenneth Mallalieu run experimental broadcasts around Basseterre and are issued the call-sign ZIZ — until the station falls silent.
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1955 · The idea takes shape
A national station becomes a favourite project of C.A. Paul Southwell, Minister of Communications and Works. The Colonial Development & Welfare Fund earmarks £16,000, raised to £23,000 by 1959.
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1960 · Building the station
Karney Osbourne is named Broadcasting & Public Relations Officer and trains in Canada and with the BBC in London. The studio is built at Springfield, with two weeks of test transmissions before launch.
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5 March 1961 · ZIZ goes on air
The station is officially opened by Lord Hailes, Governor-General of the West Indies Federation, and begins transmitting 6–9 p.m. nightly. Early voices include Joseph Archibald, Lorna Sheppard and Zephaniah Joseph.
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1960s · Voice of the community
Live parliamentary debates, schools programming and favourites like Aunt Lulu and Uncle Goldwyn. BBC links bring London Calling the Caribbean — and live Test cricket — to village shops across the islands.
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1973 · Onto FM
ZIZ begins transmitting on its FM frequency to reach a wider, more discerning audience.
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1975 · More power, and Nevis
Power is increased to 10,000 watts and a studio is established in Charlestown, Nevis.
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Today · The National Broadcasting Corporation
From three evening hours in 1961, ZIZ has grown into the National Broadcasting Corporation of St. Kitts & Nevis — a family of stations serving the Federation across radio, television and digital.
