NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2025 6 RADIO JAMAICA 75TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE | THE SUNDAY GLEANER | AUGUST 31, 2025 IN 1939, driven by a fervent passion for radio communication, John Grinan inaugurated Jamaica’s rst broadcast station amid the escalating tensions in Europe that would soon culminate in World War II. Operating under the call sign VP5PZ, the station commenced its broadcasts in September 1939. The official launch, marked by a ceremonious introduction from then Governor Sir Arthur Richards on November 17, 1939, signalled the beginning of an important new chapter in Jamaican media. Recognising the need to keep the Jamaican populace informed about wartime developments, the Government quickly embraced Grinan’s initiative, which initially provided 30-minute daily broadcasts. In 1940, the Jamaican Government took full control of VP5PZ, with Grinan’s agreement, renaming the station ZQI as it became a wartime broadcast outlet. The station expanded its broadcast schedule and increased programming frequency, though its reach was constrained by the limited availability and high cost of radio receivers. Consequently, its audience remained predominantly within the Corporate Area – Kingston and St Andrew – numbering less than 100,000. With the conclusion of World War II, the Government’s interest in maintaining control over the station waned. On July 9, 1950, the station was sold to the Jamaica Broadcasting Company (distinct from the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation), which rebranded it as Radio Jamaica under the ownership of the British Rediffusion Group. Initially, Radio Jamaica began transmission on the AM (amplitude modulation) band, despite earlier plans to use the FM (frequency modulation) band for its superior signal quality. The AM band was ultimately chosen for its broader reach. To broaden its audience, the The GENESISof Radio Jamaica RJR Mobile Broadcast unit Mr. J.F. GrinanGLEANER PHOTOGRAPH
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