HISTORY OF RADIO JAMAICA

The history of Radio Jamaica is extricably bound with the origin of radio broadcasting in Jamaica. Radio broadcasting began in 1939. The first station, VP5PZ, was madepossible through the use of the equipment of a local 'ham' operator named John Grinan,who, in compliance with wartime regulations, handed his equipment over to theGovernment.Mr. Grinan succeeded in convincing the Government to use his equipment to operate apublic broadcasting station; and the amateur equipment was adapted to the demandsof broadcasting, and regular scheduled broadcasts began on November 17, 1939, usingMr. Grinads call-sign, VP5PZ.Initially, there was one broadcast per week, lasting one hour from Mr. Grinan's home at2 Seaview Avenue, St Andrew; but after May 1, 1940, a small staff was employed anddaily broadcasts began on June 3, 1940.

Despite the small and inadequate facilities, the station improved with each broadcast;and with the appointment of Dennis Gick as Programme Manager, the fare offered soonwent beyond news and wartime information, to include live performances of localartistes. ZQI, as the station became known in 1940, broadcasted for 10 years.Under the weight of public criticism at the high cost of running the station, decision wastaken by the Government to issue a license to a private company to providebroadcasting services. A license was granted in 1949 to the Jamaica BroadcastingCompany, a subsidiary of the Re-diffusion Group, London.This license gave the company the right to operate regular broadcasting and rediffusionservices, and the Jamaica Broadcasting Company took over the operations ofZQI on May 1, 1950.

Commercial broadcasting began on July 9, 1950, using the callsign,"Radio Jamaica and the Re-diffusion Network", and the well-known RJR was born!The new company was given a mandate to cover the entire island with radiobroadcasting. To ensure that rural dwellers could become oriented to Radio, thecompany distributed wireless receiving sets to some 200 designated listening poststhroughout the island. These were points where people naturally gathered, such asschools, police station and village stores. An important aspect of the license granted toRadio Jamaica was that it was to be a commercial radio station. This meant that radiotime would be costed and advertisers would pay according to the time used for theiradvertisements.Radio programmes were also to be sponsored by companies, and these two meanswere to be the station's only source of income. The Jamaican radio audience, thoughpreviously informed, reacted with shock and dismay after July 9 when theirprogrammes began to be interrupted with advertisements!The station was to weather a stormy period of public outcry, with the listeners beggingfor an end to commercial radio, declaring that the ads made them want to smash theirradio sets! In the face of this opposition, Radio Jamaica introduced programmes whichwere to prove popular.

There were radio dramas - in fact, there were no less than eightradio dramas presented weekly in 1960; popular music; and money-winning quizshows.Very soon, RJR, as the station was affectionately known, became a household word.In August 195 1, the station was moved from its original Seaview Avenue location towhat was described at the time as "the modem air-conditioned and excellentlyequipped studio premises" at 32 Lyndhurst Road in Kingston.A significant step was taken in 1953 when frequency modulated transmitters wereinstalled at Coleyville and Tinson Pen. This was a historic event, as Radio Jamaica wasthe first country in the British Commonwealth to broadcast regular scheduledprogrammes on the FM band.To increase the reach of Radio, as well as to increase income, a Re-diffusion servicewas inaugurated in February 1951, under the management of Re-diffusion Limited, adivision of the Jamaica Broadcasting Company Limited to provide a special service ofprogrammes transmitted by wire. The service was carried to homes, departmentstores, bars, hotels, police stations and proved very popular.One of the important aspects of this service was that it offered complete coverage ofnational events. By 1958, it was being enjoyed by 15,000 subscribers.When the Government decided to operate its own public broadcasting station, to benamed the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation, the name of Radio Jamaica was formallychanged to that of Radio Jamaica Limited, the name by which it is known today.Another service introduced by the company was Reditune, which started in 1962,featuring a special tape machine which provided non-stop music of all varieties.Reditune gave way later to the more sophisticated, Musipage, which provided livemusic, instead of tapes, broadcast from the station to the subscribers - mostlybusiness houses.

One of the constant goals of the station during its 40-year life has been the providingof a total broadcasting service to the nation.To this end, Radio Jamaica introduced a second daily transmission in 1972 on the FMband. It was called RJR-FM or Capital Stereo, and filled a need for soothing,uninterrupted music. This service met with such success that in April 1984, thedecision was taken to develop it further. A new station was formed using the call-signFAME-FM - the first part of the name being an acronym for Fraternity of AmazingMusical Expression.FAME has been a pace-setter, developing programmes which, while playing soothingmusic, also gives the listener an opportunity to meet the personalities selecting therecords.The experience of 40 years has prepared the company for the latest innovation in itsbid to supply complete broadcasting service.

This is Simulcast Broadcasting, which hasbeen hailed as a brilliant development and which has been successfully used to coversporting events, such as the 1990 International Test cricket series, and the annualBudget Debate in the House of Representatives.ACQUISITION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO 2 ASSETSIn keeping with the company's strategic plan for growth and development into a highlyprofitable media house Radio Jamaica Limited (RJR) acquired the Television and Radio2 assets of the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) from the Government ofJamaica, for an amount of J$70m. The major terms of the contract betweengovernment and Radio Jamaica Limited are as follows:! RJR has bought the studio, engineering and transmission equipment ofJBC Radio 2 and JBC TV, along with the transmitters owned by JBC. RJRwill also take over leases on leased transmitter sites.! RJR will have access to JBC's video and audio archives for a period of 12years and may incorporate material from the archives in its ownprogrammes without being liable for licence fees.South Odeon Avenue has not been bought but RJR will occupy it for 18months, while new studios are being built.Since the acquisition on June 12, 1997 an interim management company, RJRInterim Management Services Limited, has been put in place.

The new namefor the television station is Television Jamaica Limited.It has been a challenging task to date as we attempt to address the criticalneed for re-equipping the television station. In the short term we are beingdogged by technical challenges, which based on our implementationprogramme, should be corrected by June 1998 when our new equipment will befully installed. The objective of our strategic management plan is to ensure thatour viewers will receive the best service over the long run.Radio 2 is now located at Broadcast House at our Lyndhurst Road Office andhas settled in well with plans in place to take it to greater heights.

FILM-MAKING IN JAMAICA

The major Hollywood studios have had a history of filming in Jamaica. The earliest records trace a Twentieth Century Fox production in 1915 where animals of every kind were brought to Jamaica for the film ‘Daughters of the Gods’

Today the tradition continues with contemporary sophistication. Early film-makers found the right locations and atmosphere for their films, but always there were skilled crews and talented actors.

Importantly, many international film practitioners have made Jamaica their home, including the famous Errol Flynn, who bought Navy Island off the coast of Port Antonio, thereby encouraging and influencing many other film-makers to come to Jamaica.

The island has not only had excellent reputation as the right film location but also varied cultural experience which has produced its own stars in music and film. Jamaicans have contributed their creative skills in the making of international productions as well as making their own movies.


Films Shot in Jamaica



Dr. No
United Artists/EON GB - - 1962
Stars:Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Jack Lord, Joseph Wiseman



Eureka
MGM Pictures - 1981
Stars:Gene Hackman, Mickey Rourke, Jane Lapotaire, Therisa Russell



Going to Extremes
ABC TV Series - 1993
Stars:Carl Lumbley, Andrew Lauer, Joanna Going, June Chadwick, Erika Alexandra



Golden Eye
Anglin Television Films & Drama Ltd - 1989
Stars:Charles Dance



Hammerhead
Filmustang SLR Italy - 1988

How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Twentieth Century Fox - 1998
Stars:Whoopi Goldberg, Angella Bassett



In Like Flint
TCF USA - 1967
Stars:James Cobum, Lee J. Cobb, Jean Hall, Andrew Duggan



In Like Flynn
Astrol Film Entertainment CAN - 1985
Stars:Jenny Seagrove



Instinct
Silverback Productions/Walt Disney Studios - 1998
Stars:Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding, Jnr.



Island In The Sun
TCF GB - 1957
Stars:James Mason, Joan Fontaine, Harry Belafonte, Dorothy Dandridge, Joan Collins
Films Shot in Jamaica



KLA$H
Kingston Pictures Limited - 1994
Stars:Giancarlo Esposito, Jasmine Guy



Legends of the Fall
Tri-Star Pictures - 1993
Stars:Sir Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt



Lord of the Flies
Castle Rock Entertainment USA Signal Hill Productions JA - 1988
Stars:Michael Green



Marked for Death
Twentieth Century Fox - 1990
Stars:Steven Seagal, Joanna Pacula



Milk and Honey
Cineflics/JA Film Co. Inc. CAN - 1988
Stars:Josette Simon

Otto - The Film
Rialto Films W. GER - 1985
Stars:Otto Walker



Papillon
Papillon Partnership/Corona/General Production Co. USA - 1973
Stars:Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Don Gordon



Passion and Paradise
Prime Media Canada, Picture Base Int'l. UK. ABC USA - 1989
Stars:Rod Steiger, Amand Assante, Marriette Hartley, Catherine Stewart, Wayne Rogers, Michael Sarrazin



Passionate Summer
Rank/Kenneth Harper GB - 1958
Stars:Virginia McKenna, Bill Travers, Yvonne Mitchell



Popcorn
Movie Partners/Century Films/Studio Three Film Corp. - 1989
Stars:om Villard, Jill Schoelen, Dee Wallace Stone, Tony Roberts




Prelude to a Kiss
Twentieth Century Fox - 1991
Stars:Alec Baldwin, Meg Ryan



Return to Treasure Island
HTV Ltd. Wales/Walt Disney Television USA - 1985
Stars:Brian Blessed



Sankofa
Negod - Gwad Productions - 1990
Stars:Mutabaruka



Scam
Viacom Pictures - 1992
Stars:Christopher Walken, Lorraine Bracco



Shattered Image
FireCorp II/7 Arts Entertainment - 1998
St

Smile Orange
Nuts Production - 1973
Stars:Carl Bradshaw, Glen Morrison



The Harder They Come
Vista Film Production JA - 1972
Stars:Jimmy Cliff



The House Next Door
Blue Mountains Film Limited - 1995
Stars:Sheryl Lee Ralph



The Lunatic
Intrepid Productions/Island Pictures/World Films - 1990
Stars:Paul Campbell, Julie T. Wallace



The Man Who Knew Too Little
Warner Brothers/Stella Pictures - 1997
Stars:Bill Murray, Joanne Walley

The Mercenaries; aka Dark of the Sun
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) - 1968
Stars:Rod Taylor, Yvete Minieux, Jim Brown



The Mighty Quinn
MGM/A&M USA - 1989
Stars:Denzel Washington, Robert Townsend, Sheryl Lee-Ralph



Third World Cop
Island Jamaica - 1998
Stars:Paul Campbell



Treasure Island
MFS Film Ltd./Turner Network Television - 1989
Stars:Charlton Heston, Christian Bale, Oliver Reed
Wide Sargasso Sea
New Line Cinema - 1991
Stars:Rachel Ward, Michael York
Films Shot in Jamaica
Clara's Heart
Marty Elfand Productions/Warner Bros. USA - 1985
Stars:Whoopi Goldberg, Kathleen Quinlan, Michael Onktean



Club Paradise
Warner Bros. USA - 1985
Stars:Peter O'Toole, Robin Williams, Twiggy



Cocktail
Touchstone/Walt Disney Pictures USA - 1987
Stars:Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown, Elizabeth Shue



Countryman
Island Pictures - 1984
Stars:Carl Bradshaw



Dancehall Queen
Island Pictures - 1996
Stars:Audrey Ried, Paul Campbell, Carl Davis

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Walt Disney Pictures USA - 1954
Stars:Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre



A High Wind in Jamaica
TCF GB - 1965
Stars:Deborah Baxter, Anthony Quinn, James Coburn



All The Brothers Were Valiant
MGM, USA - 1953
Stars:Stewart Granger, Robert Taylor, Ann Blythe



Belly
Streetlife Productions - 1998
Stars:DMX, T-Boyz, Nas



Children of Babylon
Mediamix/Rainbow Productions - 1979
Stars:Tobi Phillips, Bob Andy

One Love
Stars: Kymani Marley, Cherine Anderson

License to Wed
Stars: Robin Williams, Mandy Moore (2007)


About the Film Commission

The Jamaica Film Commission was established in 1984, and forms part of Jamaica Trade & Invest (JTI/JAMPRO), the investment and export arm of the Government, and is mandated to promote Jamaica's Film industry. This mandate requires the facilitation of activities to increase investment, export, employment and foreign exchange earnings.

It is globally recognised that Jamaica is one of the most naturally attractive locations for filming. While overseas filmmakers have been coming to the island since the early 1900s, it was only during the 1980s when the island instituted a targeted plan to attract "Hollywood" to Jamaica, that there was a drastic increase in the number and types of film projects shot here.

The critical importance of the local industry cannot be overlooked, as any nation with an interest in preserving a legacy and a culture has to recognise the intrinsic importance of the local filmmaker. Jamaica's prolific theatre community keeps a cadre of local actors and actresses employed year-round. While not a generous source of revenue, the genre satisfies the creative appetite, and keeps the craft honed for participation in larger more rewarding projects such as "Dancehall Queen" or "Third World Cop."

The Commission's role in relation to the Film industry is to:

• Promote and market investment opportunities in areas like studio facilities, themed entertainment and venues;
  



• Lobby for incentives to support sector development, increased investments, the creation of venture capital funds, and other low interest financing options.
  



• Administer existing incentives for production companies both local and overseas to increase investment, job creation and foreign exchange;
  



• Marketing and Promotion of Jamaica as the PREMIER location for filming;
  



• Provision of a comprehensive service for all filmmakers in production or location scouting on the island;
  



• Liaison between government agencies, private sector companies and the production;
  



• Recommend and oversee changes and updates to the Motion Picture Industry Encouragement Act, which provides incentives to production;
  



• Provide linkages between overseas providers of market opportunities (i.e. script requests, film festival opportunities etc.) and local industry personnel;
  



• Organization and facilitation of a national presence at film industry trade shows in order to promote the island as a premier location, and to create business linkages for Jamaica's local industry;
  



• Lobby for the creation of venture capital investment funds for the further development of the industry;
  



• Develop and facilitate the process of bi-lateral trade agreements within the global film industry, in order to provide increased opportunities for funding to the local industry (i.e. production treaties).