Journalists and broadcasters on Thursday remembered fellow veteran Doug Hoyte for his decades in television and mentoring that helped shape a generation of reporters, following his death at age 75.
Hoyte died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Wednesday night after a brief illness, just a month shy of his 76th birthday.
He returned to Barbados in 1991 after an extensive career in media and communications in the United States, dating back to 1968. He worked as a television reporter in Tampa, Florida, and briefly served as the first press secretary to Governor Bob Martínez.
He led the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as general manager from April 2016 to 2018, having pioneered joint anchoring of the CBC Evening News with then news director, Sharon Marshall during the 1990s.
Hoyte was also the lead host of the breakfast television programme Mornin’ Barbados and held senior communications roles, including director of communications at Almond Resorts and his own public relations firm, Mountbatten Communications.
In a tribute, Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers (BARJAM) said, “the media fraternity has lost one of its most respected pioneers, a highly regarded news anchor for CBC TV News, who went on to lead the corporation as general manager. His professionalism, attention to detail and distinctive on-air presence were widely admired.”
BARJAM added that while Hoyte wore many hats throughout his life — from Crop Over bandleader to politician — it was his outstanding contribution to broadcasting that left an enduring mark on the island’s media landscape.
“It is his indelible mark in broadcasting that is most cherished by members of the local media fraternity,” the association said.
BARJAM noted that many past and present broadcasters had benefitted from Hoyte’s vast knowledge and experience, describing his training and mentorship as instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous journalists.
“Many former and present broadcasters have benefited from his vast knowledge and experience. Indeed, his training and insight were crucial to many going on to become shining lights in the field,” the statement said.
In addition to being a highly regarded news anchor for CBC TV News, Hoyte also served as the corporation’s general manager. His professionalism, attention to detail and distinctive on-air presence were widely admired.
BARJAM President, Ryan Broome, reflected on Hoyte’s influence on the profession, recalling how he modelled his own approach to broadcasting after the late media stalwart.
“I grew up watching Mr Hoyte as a news anchor and later worked with him during his tenure as general manager of the CBC. As a news anchor, he was always a consummate professional on the set, constantly raising the bar with his dynamism. He also brought a level of flair to the role, to the point where he was well known for his now infamous line — ‘Strike up the band, we’re going home’ as his signature sign-off to end the CBC news programme.”
Broome added that Hoyte’s legacy went beyond his voice and presence on screen. “In short, he truly revolutionised the role of news anchor in Barbados,” he said.
Hoyte is survived by his wife, Wendy and his two sons, Damon and Zachary.
(SZB)
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