Industry rumours in Jamaica suggest that the Nationwide News Network (NNN) will shortly ink a deal with the RJR Communications Group for a long-term lease agreement of airtime to launch a brand new 24-hour station, Nationwide Digital AM, using RJR’s AM frequencies.
Lester Spaulding, RJR chairman, would only confirm that “we [RJR] are in discussion with lots of people” about leasing airtime “on both AM and FM frequencies” but declined to comment on whether NNN boss Cliff Hughes was among those people. And Hughes said, “We are in discussion with several parties to secure an agreement that will provide islandwide distribution outlet for our news and other radio content”.
In recent years, RJR’s mediumwave transmitters have either been turned off or are operating on reduced power, as RJR has concentrated on FM. The plan is to broadcast digitally on mediumwave. But the Jamaica Observer says that the AM band is “totally unknown to more than 50 per cent of the population.” It’s not clear from this story which digital system would be used - HD Radio or DRM.
(Source: Jamaica Observer/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)