With immediate effect, there is a temporary hold on the granting of licences for island-wide radio broadcast services. Until further notice, the Commission will not be accepting applications for those services. Additionally, kindly note that there is currently no call for applications to operate free-to-air television services.

For services that require the use of the spectrum, applicants must first ascertain the availability of spectrum from the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) http://www.sma.gov.jm/. After you have received approval from SMA and have been assigned the necessary spectrum, you may apply to the Commission.

One of the Broadcasting Commission's main functions is to recommend to the Minister of Information which applicants should receive licences to operate broadcast radio and television and subscriber television services. It also recommends the terms and conditions under which those licences should be granted and renewed.

Applicants for licences are expected to meet certain programming, technical and financial standards and be able to provide a satisfactory level of customer service. Once the Commission is satisfied that an applicant can adequately staff and operate the service according to the Television and Sound Broadcasting Regulations, a recommendation is made to the Minister of information who then decides whether a licence should be granted.
 

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.