Growing Together: From Great Belize Television to Greater Belize Media
Celebrating 34 Years of Belizean Excellence (1991-2025)
On May 26, 2025, Great Belize Television officially became Greater Belize Media. This transformation represents a name change and another milestone in the decades of growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to Belizean excellence.
The Foundation Years: Building Belize’s Television Legacy
In 1983, Great Belize Productions Ltd. (GBPL) was formed as a small video production company, producing commercials and documentaries while providing production services to international productions. But in 1991, history was made when GBPL acquired a broadcasting license and became the nation’s first television station with locally produced programming, giving birth to Great Belize Television (GBTV), locally known as Channel 5 Belize.
In December 1991, we launched News 5 Live – Belize’s first national independent television news program. This flagship program became the cornerstone of our commitment to informing the nation and remains a trusted source of news today, 34 years later.
Three Decades of Belizean Programming Excellence
From 1991 to 2025, Channel 5 became synonymous with quality Belizean content. We created programming that reflected the vibrancy and diversity of Belizean life, including beloved shows such as The Andy Palacio Show, Lauren Da Mawnin, One on One with Dickie Bradley, Spotlight, Veranda Tales, Fanta Quest, Masters of the Floors, Yes to I Do, The Belize Apprentice, and Great Belize Cooking.
In 2008, we launched the Open Your Eyes morning show, which became a staple of Belizean mornings. Our summer entertainment phenomenon, KTV, captured the nation’s attention year after year, while our annual week-long anniversary celebration, Gimme 5, became a beloved December tradition.
What made our content special—what has always made it special—is that it was created by Belizeans, for Belizeans. News and stories that mattered to our community were produced by our local talent, establishing a standard that foreign content simply could not match.
Throughout these decades, Channel 5 built an established reputation for high-quality productions that earned multiple regional awards, cementing our position as Belize’s leading television station and foremost local and regional programming provider.
The Digital Evolution: Growing with the Times (2016-2025)
Understanding that growth means adaptation, we embraced digital transformation early. In 2016, less than a year after the feature became available, GBTV began live-streaming our programs on social media, becoming the first major television program in Belize to offer content to an online community.
The real acceleration began in 2022 with the institutional strengthening of our organization. This marked the beginning of a strategic evolution redefining what it means to be a media company in Belize.
2023: Breaking New Ground
In 2023, we established our digital news department – a first for any television station in Belize. This wasn’t simply repurposing TV content; we created content specifically for web and social platforms, understanding that digital audiences have different needs and consumption patterns.
2024: One Newsroom, Unified Vision
2024 was a landmark year of transformation. We launched our integrated One Newsroom, where all news players work together to produce content with a digital-first approach. We also introduced our Midday news bulletin, News 5 @Noon, designed for people on the go who want to stay informed throughout their busy day.
Perhaps most significantly, in 2024, we moved all our programs from analogue to digital, ensuring that all our viewers could benefit from the best available technology. This technical upgrade enhanced picture quality, sound clarity, and overall viewing experience for audiences across Belize.
2025: Expanding Our Reach
This year brought even more innovation. We launched the first-ever national Spanish TV news program, Noticiero 5 Semanal, recognizing Belize’s linguistic diversity. Our morning show received a complete revamp—from its look to its content—to better serve our audience’s evolving needs.
We added Morning Boost, an exercise program that airs at 6 a.m. and promotes health and wellness in our community. Powa & di People, our talk show that tackled important issues like electoral reform before the elections, demonstrated our commitment to facilitating national dialogue on critical matters.
The Rebrand: Reflecting Our Evolution
On May 26, 2025, the same day we launched our revamped news program, we officially became Greater Belize Media. This rebrand represents one of the final steps in updating our brand to reflect the internal changes we have employed over the past three years.
What This Means for Our Community
We are no longer just a television station – we are a comprehensive media company. This evolution means:
For Our Viewers: You can expect the same quality Belizean content you’ve trusted for 34 years, now delivered across multiple platforms and formats. Whether you prefer traditional television, digital streaming, social media, or our new program offerings, we meet you where you are.
For Our Clients: Our expanded capabilities mean we can offer comprehensive media solutions – from traditional advertising to digital campaigns, from content creation to multi-platform distribution strategies.
For Our Community: We remain committed to telling Belizean stories, but now we do so across all media platforms, ensuring our local perspectives and voices remain at the center of our national conversation.
For Our Partners: Our growth represents new opportunities for collaboration, sponsorship, and community engagement across traditional and digital platforms.
Growing Together: Our Continued Promise
Our tagline “Growing Together” encapsulates our philosophy. We are growing with the times, adapting to technological changes while maintaining our core values. We are growing with the development of our country, expanding our services based on user demands and trends. Most importantly, we are growing with our audience – the same community we’ve served faithfully since 1991.
The station continues to offer nationwide coverage, transmitted via cable in all districts. We maintain the most extensive local media presence on social media platforms, connecting with audiences across Belize, the Caribbean, and the Diaspora.
As a proud member of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, the Public Media Alliance, and the Belize Chamber of Commerce, Greater Belize Media continues to uphold the highest standards of broadcasting excellence while expanding our production services and digital capabilities.
Looking Forward: Our Commitment to Belizean Excellence
Traditional television and legacy media are not dying – they are evolving, and they will forever be necessary. Our flagship television programs will always provide the depth, context, and local perspective that cannot be found elsewhere. They represent the voice of Belize, told by Belizeans.
As Greater Belize Media, we promise to continue our 34-year commitment to Belizean excellence. We will continue to innovate, to lead, and to connect. We will continue to tell our stories, celebrate our culture, and serve our community across every platform and medium.
This is not just a rebrand – it’s a recommitment to growing together with Belize, ensuring that as our nation develops and evolves, we remain your trusted source for news, entertainment, and the stories that matter most to us all.
Greater Belize Media: Growing Together.
