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Reel-to-Reel Projector Use at JBC

  • tcollins66
  • Apr 1
  • 1 min read

Updated: Apr 14

The Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) primarily utilized 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 Projector. Credit: Cinema Antiques
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.

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PBCJ’s Audio-Visual Library invites you to view the digital exhibition “100 years of Jamaica’s Audiovisual History”, mounted to commemorate World Audiovisual Heritage Day (October 27) and to focus attention on Jamaica’s rich audiovisual legacy.

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