WRHM (Guyanan TV station)

WRHM
CountryGuyana
Broadcast areaNational
HeadquartersGeorgetown
Programming
LanguageEnglish
Picture format480i (NTSC and ATSC)
Ownership
OwnerWRHM Inc.[1]
History
Launchedmid-1980s
Links
Websitehttps://www.capitolnewsonline.com/
Availability
Terrestrial
VHFChannel 7

WRHM, also known as WRHM 7, is a Guyanese over-the-air television network owned by WRHM Inc., it is the second oldest television station in the country and the first to be available entirely free-to-air. In addition to its main station on channel 7, it operates a second station on channel 38.[2]

History

It is unknown when exactly did WRHM sign on. Before its launch, there was only one television station in Guyana, VCT Network, which was a scrambled outlet in its early years. WRHM was the first to broadcast its signals without subscription.[3] WRHM was given two licenses, even though it was not originally registered as a company, which it did so in 1992.[4] In February 1998, WRHM announced that it would relocate its second channel (channel 6) to UHF channel 38, with the vacated VHF frequency being used by CNS.[5] The move was complete in April.[6]

On 6 April 2000, WRHM was the Guyanese carrier of a special CARICOM discussion program on the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice.[7] The station, alongside VCT, was the target of criticism due to the airing of the Andrew Douglas tape.[8]

It obtained the rights to the 2008 Olympic Games alongside the Caribbean Media Corporation and US network NBC. The channel would carry rights from both feeds, with CMC favoring Caribbean athletes.[9] This caused a minor incident with NCN Television, causing it to prevent the channel from airing any NBC outlet without consent from the parties involved.[10]

The station was one of several that pooled its resources to combat a GUY$2.5 license fee.[11] On 1 October 2013, the station received a warning from the regulator to apply for a new license by 31 October, otherwise, the station would be considered illegal under the new laws.[12]

Its founder Rex McKay died on 21 December 2023, at the age of 95.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "WRHM Inc". Guyana National Broadcasting Authority.
  2. ↑ "Broadcasters List". Guyana National Broadcasting Authority.
  3. ↑ The silent revolution, Stabroek News
  4. ↑ WRHM held two TV licences despite not being a registered business : …as Ramotar dismisses favouritism claims on issuance of radio licences
  5. ↑ WRHM to transmit on Channel 38 frequency - equipment expected shortly, Stabroek News, 20 February 1998
  6. ↑ WRHM Channel 6 to move by weekend, Stabroek News, 15 April 1998
  7. ↑ LIVE TV TALK SHOW ON THE CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE FOR AIRING ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT
  8. ↑ Guyana police angered by TV tape of escaped criminal
  9. ↑ Olympics for WRHM, Stabroek News
  10. ↑ WRHM prevents NCN from broadcasting Olympics
  11. ↑ TV stations to challenge steep license fee
  12. ↑ Several radio, TV stations may soon be deemed illegal
  13. ↑ Senior Counsel Rex Mc Kay passes away
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