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.

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.

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.