GBM Shines at CBU Awards: Scores First Digital Win

Belize is celebrating big on the regional media stage! Greater Belize Media (GBM) proudly walked away with an impressive 10 awards and 4 special mentions at the 36th Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Media Awards held in Barbados, cementing its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s top broadcasters.

The awards ceremony featured more than 50 categories ranging from news and investigative reporting to culture, sports, and digital storytelling.

While Jamaica’s powerhouse RJRGLEANER Communications Group snagged the top spot with 12 awards and 6 mentions, Belize was right on their heels. GBM’s outstanding showing not only placed it among the top performers in the region but also marked an exciting first in company history, a digital award win since the launch of GBM’s digital department just over a year ago.

“This is a proud moment for Belizean media,” said GBM’s Digital Editor Hipolito Novelo after the win. “We’ve been investing in digital because we know that’s the future and to have our work recognised on a regional stage proves that Belize can stand tall in the digital era.”

Some of GBM’s standout wins included:

Best Investigative Report (Television): News 5 Investigates Caribi Bleu Casino

Child Rights Champion Award (sponsored by UNICEF Belize): “I Am A Child, Not A Bride” – Ending Child Marriage in Belize

Best Comedy Reel (Digital): Michael Peyrefitte; You Can Call Me Fat, But You Can’t Call Me Thief

Best Sports Story (Digital): I Am Not Disabled; I Am THIS Abled!

The National Channel (TNC) Belize also made its mark with a win for Glazed Out the Competition: Season 3 in the Best Entertainment Programme category.

Meanwhile, regional counterparts also scored big: host country Barbados picked up 8 awards and 7 special mentions, led by the Barbados Government Information Service and Starcom Network; Trinidad and Tobago saw strong showings from TTT Limited and the Guardian Group; and for the very first time, Radio Turks and Caicos earned a Special Mention on its debut entry.

GBM’s CEO, Marleni Cuellar, was also voted in as Vice President of the CBU Board of Directors.