The Broadcasting Commission -- Licensing & Licensed Services: The Broadcast Industry

Radio is the oldest, most popular electronic medium, which was introduced to Jamaica in the 1930s. The popularity of radio listening continues to be reflected in the interest in establishing new services, which broaden the range of programming available.

The years 1988 to1992 were very exciting times for radio in particular, for it was being transformed by the introduction of niche programming. During that period, five new services were licensed, among which were stations fashioned around the genres of religion and reggae. This trend of niche programming was a general indicator of the direction of Jamaican radio. This was supported by the more recent licensing experience of 1992 – 1996, where the four new media services, commonly designated as “community radio services” direct their programming to a clearly defined audiences.

With the government’s approval for the implementation of a licensing framework that is cognisant of the wide range of possible media services, the radio landscape can be expected to show growth.

Local broadcast television, like radio, has benefitted from the addition of new services over the past ten years. The grant of two new TV licences in 1991 and 1992 marked the end of a period where the television market had been controlled by one entity.

As with radio, the new licensing framework, which begins with the reclassification of licences, will prompt expansion as well as support the introduction of new approaches to operations and programming.

Television continues to be an important tool for information, entertainment and education for Jamaicans with sets in the majority of households. The Commission’s role is to make sure that television programming meets established and developing standards. Television stations are held responsible for everything they put on air, including advertising.

Licensee	Address	Broadcast Service
Aeronautical Telecommunications Limited GM (Actg.): Linvol Stephens	1 Braemar Avenue, Kingston 10 Tel: 978-3974/4037 Fax: 978-3346 aerotel@cwjamaica.com	Kool 97 FM Radio(97.1; 97.3; 97.5; 97.7; 97.9, )
Alliance Francaise De La Jamaique Director: Ms. Marie Rose Lasleur	12b Lilford Avenue Kingston 10 Tel: 978-6996 Fax: 978-1836 kingston@alliancefr.org.jm	RFI Radio(96.5)
British Broadcasting Corporation Head of the Americas & Europe: Nikki Clarke	904NE, The Strand London, WC2B 4PH WC2B4PH Tel: 44-171-557-2511 Fax: 44-171-497-8035	BBC World Service Radio( 104.1; 104.3; 104.5; 104.7; 104.9)
Cornwall Broadcasting Services Limited CEO: Al Robinson	63 Barrett Street Montego Bay St. James Tel: 374-6751 Fax: 940-6397	Mello FM Radio( 96.1)
CVM TV Ltd. President CVM Group: Dr. David McBean	69 Constant Spring Road Kingston 10 Tel: 931-9400-3 Fax: 931-9415 dmcbean@cvm.com	CVM-TV Television ( )
Grove Broadcasting Company Limited Managing Director: Karl Young	1B Derrymore Road Kingston 10 Tel: 968-5023; 929-8759 Fax: 968-332 zip103fm@cwjamaica.com	ZIP 103 FM Radio(103.1; 103.3; 103.5; 103.7; 103.9)
Grove Broadcasting Company Limited Chairman: Karl Young	P.O. Box 282 Coconut Grove Ocho Rios, St. Ann Tel: 968-5023/929-8759 Fax: 968-8332 iriefmmarket@cwjamaica.com	IRIE FM Radio(107.1; 107.3; 107.5; 107.7; 107.9)
Independent Radio Company Limited Managing Director: Newton James	6 Bradley Avenue, Kingston 10 Tel: 968-4880 - 3 Fax: 968-9165	Music 99 Radio(99.1; 99.3; 99.5; 99.7; 99.9)
Independent Radio Company Limited Managing Director: Newton James	6 Bradley Avenue, P.O. Box 370, Kingston 10 Tel: 968-4880-3 Fax: 968-9165 power106@mail.infochan.com	POWER 106 Radio(106.1; 106.3; 106.5; 106.7; 106.9)
Island Broadcasting Corporation Chairman: Alston Stewart	17 Haining Road, Kingston 5 Tel: 929-1344/929-1346 Fax: 906-7604 klasfm89@cwjamaica.com	KLAS FM 89 Radio(89.1; 89.3; 89.5; 89.9)
Kommercial Suites Managing Director: Ms. Katherine Chong	20 Ballater Avenue, Kingston 10 Tel: 631-5269 Fax: 969-2344 megajamz98fm@hotmail.com	Mega Jamz 98FM Radio(98.1; 98.3; 98.5; 98.7; 98.9)
Mustard Seed Communities Chairman: Mr. Trevor Gordon-Somers	1 Mahoe Drive, Kingston 11 Tel: 923-6488, 937-2010 Fax: 923-6000 msc@cwjamaica.com	ROOTS FM Radio(96.1)
National Religious Media Company Limited General Manager: Winston Ridgard	81 Hagley Park Road Kingston 10 Tel: 968-9596-7 Fax: 968-7545 nrtvs@cwjamaica.com	LOVE FM , LOVE TV Radio, Television(101.1; 101.3; 101.5; 101.7; 101.9)
Radio Jamaica Ltd. Executive Chairman: Lester Spaulding	32 Lyndhurst Road Kingston 5 Tel: 926-1100 Fax: 929-7467 rjr@radiojamaica.com	FAME FM Radio(95.1; 95.3; 95.5; 95.7; 95.9)
Radio Jamaica Ltd. Executive Chairman: Lester Spaulding	32 Lyndhurst Road, Kingston 5 Tel: 926-1100 Fax: 929-7467 rjr@radiojamaica.com	HITZ 92 FM Radio(92.1 - 92.9)
Radio JamaicaLtd. Executive Chairman: Lester Spaulding	32 Lyndhurst Road, Kingston 5 Tel: 926-1100 Fax: 929-7467 rjr@radiojamaica.com	RJR 94FM Radio(94.1; 94.3; 94.5; 94.7; 94.9)
Reggae Sun TV Managing Director: Mr. Keith Foote	69 Main Street, Ocho Rios, St. Ann Tel: 974-2324/795-1831 Fax: 974-1335	Reggae Sun TV
St. Bess Radio FM Co. Ltd. Managing Director: Mr. Antonio Shaw	4 East Bloomsbury Road, Kingston 10 Tel: 754-1898 Fax: 920-4749	Bess FM Radio(100.1; 100.3; 100.5)
Tarrant Baptist Church General Manager: Gary Callam	51 Molynes Road, Kingston 10 Tel: 754-5120-1 Fax: 968-9159 tbcfm@colis.com	TBC Radio( 88.5)
Television Jamaica (TVJ) General Manager: Ms. Kay Osbourne	Television Jamaica 5 South Odeon Avenue, Kingston 10 Tel: 926-5620 Fax: - tvjadmin@cwjamaica.com	TVJ Television(-)
Universal Media Company Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Eric A. Abrahams	Mona, Kingston 7 Tel: 970-1709; 970-3545 Fax: 970-2472 newstalk@uwimona.edu.jm	News Talk 93FM Radio(93.1; 93.3; 93.5; 93.7; 93.9)
Western Broadcasting Services Ltd President CVM Group: Dr. David McBean	69 Constant Spring Road Kingston 10 Tel: 755-1663; 969-9445 Fax: 931-9417 amessam@cvmtv.com	HOT 102 Radio( 102.1; 102.3; 102.5; 102.7; 102.9)
Westmoreland Broadcasting Service Limited CEO: Mrs. Viannie Bedward-Morgan	98 Great George Street Savanna-la-mar Westmoreland Tel: 918-2521 Fax: 918-2394	VBYZ FM Radio( 96.3)
Yard Broadcasting Limited Chairman: Roger Allen	8 Beckford Street, Savanna-la-mar Westmoreland Tel: 955-4650 Fax: 955-39523	Linkz FM Radio( 96.5 Mhz, 96.9Mhz)

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