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Reel-to-Reel Projector Use at JBC

  • tcollins66
  • Apr 1
  • 1 min read

Updated: Jul 15

The Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) primarily utilised reel-to-reel projectors for screening pre-recorded video footage, news segments, and educational programs, allowing for content assessment and refinement before airing. Additionally, these projectors served archival purposes, preserving significant broadcasts and cultural programs that shaped Jamaican identity and pride during a transformative era.


Reel-to-Reel film projector with brown and beige reels, a metallic body, and visible dials.
Reel-to-Reel Projector. Credit: Cinema Antiques

As Jamaica's main public broadcaster, JBC used this technology to effectively disseminate information, contributing to an informed citizenry amidst the political and social changes of the 1970s. This reliance on reel-to-reel technology also facilitated JBC's transition to more advanced broadcasting methods, laying the groundwork for future media developments in the country. Overall, reel-to-reel projectors were essential for cultural expression and information sharing, profoundly influencing Jamaica’s media landscape during the 1960s and 1970s.


Cultural Impact

The reel-to-reel projector profoundly impacted Jamaica's cultural landscape and media by enabling the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation to produce and disseminate local content that reflected national identity, heritage, and community narratives during a transformative era.


This technology facilitated the documentation of significant events and cultural expressions, enriching the collective memory and fostering a sense of unity among the Jamaican populace.

About

 

The Audio-Visual Library is an arm of the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica's Programmes Department. Our mandate is to conserve and promote the longevity of PBCJ's audiovisual content, thus preserving Jamaica's culture and audiovisual heritage.

Contact
 

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If you have comments or queries, please send an email to av@pbcjamaica.org

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