The life and times of Kenny DeFontes: A broadcasting legend in Bermuda
The world of broadcasting in Bermuda has lost a true pioneer with the passing of Kenny DeFontes. DeFontes, who started his career in the 1960s as a one-man electrical service business, went on to build a broadcasting empire that shaped the island's media landscape. Despite his success, DeFontes studiously avoided the public spotlight, preferring to let his work speak for itself.
DeFontes' journey began with VSB Radio-1450, a country music station launched in 1981. This marked the start of a broadcasting dynasty that grew to include four stations and, in 1990, VSB television. The early days were challenging, with lightning knocking out the TV station's transmitter just two weeks after its launch, and the global recession hitting Bermuda hard. DeFontes' characteristic pragmatism shone through in his response to these challenges, earning him respect in the industry.
One of his most notable ventures, VSB Radio, set a high bar for local news programming, even though it eventually folded in 2017. The TV station, VSB TV 11, fought through advertising slumps and streamlined operations, continuing broadcasting until 2014. DeFontes' practical skills, honed from his early electrical work, proved invaluable in broadcasting, allowing him to fix equipment from the disc jockey's board to the antenna at Fort Hill.
DeFontes' impact on the industry was profound, but he remained a private individual, avoiding the limelight. His retirement in 2014 marked the end of an era, as the radio side of the business limped along, eventually going off the air two years later. DeFontes' legacy is one of innovation, resilience, and a commitment to local programming, leaving a lasting impact on Bermuda's media landscape.
In the words of his colleague, Charles Webbe, DeFontes' life was a testament to his dedication and privacy: "To say that Kenneth DeFontes is a private person is to put it mildly. But the truth is, he avoided the limelight. From his modest, windowless office on Reid Street, he ran the DeFontes Broadcasting Companies for 30 years and resisted the glitter and glamour that comes with television broadcasting." DeFontes' passing is a reminder of the importance of his contributions and the enduring impact he had on Bermuda's media scene.
