Panama’s Only Live English Language Radio Show

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Panama’s only live English Radio Show

12-May-2017

Currently Panama has one live radio show in English. For just over six years “The Breakfast Show with Gerry D” has brightened the day for many English-speaking residents and visitors who were left without radio after the withdrawal of the US presence in Panama.

Host and co-producer of the show, Panamanian citizen of English origin, Gerry Dowden, better known as Gerry D, made his debut into the world of radio during his military service in the British Royal Air Force, where he served as a telegraphist In the area of communications. At eighteen he found himself in Sharjah where he was first exposed to working on radio (Forces Radio Sharjah) the local station catering to the soldiers and covering local areas, including Dubai.

Many years passed. Gerry retired from the Air Force and spent several years trading and brokering in the London area. During those years he kept up his love of radio with small music programs broadcast on internal radios in hospitals in London. Later yet, he found an opportunity to start business on the Isthmus of Panama, and once again his old fascination with radio emerged.

Having noted the absence of English programming in Panama, in 2006 Gerry, together with his friend Richard Vizor, founded “Panama Broadcasting Corporation” (PBC) which finally began in the former “Radio Metropolis”, buying two hours of airtime for a program on Sunday evenings.

The show was a success and after meeting with Alessio Gronchi, director of Grupo Grada, producer of 4 radio stations, including “Cool FM”, it was agreed to broadcast a two hour show, two nights a week, entitled “Cool Nights”, and eventually it was agreed to start a live primetime show which became “The Breakfast Show with Gerry D”.

Behind the program, Gerry is supported by Yazmin Quiroz, his assistant who is also in charge of the schedule of guests for the show; Leila Nilipour who edits and selects the news section and Neil Danby, co-producer of the show.

The morning show presents different segments of interest such as healthy cooking with Yoly De Sedas; technology and trends with Alex Neuman; movie reviews with Andres Clemente; wine tastings live with Carlos Mata and a section of concerts and events by “The Visitor” Panama. His guests have included such personalities as Roba Morena, Monalisa and Rodrigo, Alfredo Hidrovo and so on.

After just over six years on the air, “The Breakfast Show with Gerry D”, has gathered a loyal audience of both locals and expats who enjoy the transmission, as well as partners, friends and business allies such as King’s College, a major sponsor who has been with the show since the beginning.

The Breakfast Show is broadcast Monday through Friday by “Cool FM” (89.3) from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., on Cool FM’s app, on their website CoolFmPanama.com and on PbcPanama.com.

 

https://www.thevisitorpanama.com/2017/05/panamas-live-english-radio-show/