AFTER YEARS OF WORKING in cramped conditions, staff of Starcom Network Inc. are about to get some relief.

That's because by mid-next year, Starcom Network Inc. should begin construction of its new state-of-the-art premises at Wotton, Christ Church (near the Kendal Hill Roundabout).

In an exclusive interview with the SUNDAY SUN, chief executive officer of the Nation Corporation, C. Anthony Audain, said that over six acres of land was acquired. He added that the new location would initially house Starcom and Nation Corporation, but within a five-year span, he hoped that Nation Publishing Company Limited. would also be located there.

Audain, an attorney-at- law said the project was still in its very early stages. The group remains hopeful for a television station.

Meantime, Vic Fernandes, the chief executive officer of Starcom, said that the present River Road, the City office have been cramped for a number of years.

"Starcom had outgrown its premises from 2000, [with] the expansion of four radio stations, and with the advent of DirecTV. Hopefully, we are looking to expand other services [such as] our television and Internet services to be more interactive with our audience."

The company enjoys the largest market share on the island with its high-quality programming, and qualified, dedicated staff. About 125 staff members are employed full-time.

Fernandes added: "We have 77 per cent of the market. You have to keep ahead of the rest."

He praised his staff for maintaining an excellent performance while working under testing conditions.

Harold Hoyte, president of Nation Publishing Co. Ltd., welcomed the prospect of The Nation family of companies operating from the same area and sharing common services.

The Nation Group comprises Nation Publishing, Nation Corporation, and Starcom Network.

The Nation Corporation and Caribbean Communications Network, which is the parent company of Trinidad Express, merged last January to form One Caribbean Media (OCM) Ltd. The Grenada Broadcasting Corporation is also part of OCM.

Starcom Network and its predecessor companies have served Barbados for almost 75 years, first as Radio Distribution (Barbados) Ltd. in 1934. By 1951, all of its assets and liabilities were taken over by Barbados Rediffusion Service Ltd, a new commercial company at the time.

A new era for the company began on October 1, 1979, when Nation Corporation acquired the shares owned by the Rediffusion Group in Britain, making it the first time its ownership became vested in local hands.

THE NATION newspaper was established in 1973 in a small storefront on St Mary's Row, the City, before moving operations to its present location at Nation House, Fontabelle in 1977. (KB)