Imex Technologies and RE TV co-founder Kimani Robinson will begin test broadcasting a 24-hour all-news local cable TV channel - Jamaica National News Network (JNNN) - within the next two weeks.

Kimani Robinson

Yesterday, Robinson confirmed the plan, saying that his broadcasting company was hoping to tap into a market that was now being under-served by the current operators.

"We believe there's a strong demand for local news and there aren't enough sources on TV, so we're hoping to fill that gap," he told the Business Observer.
Plans for the television station which will operate from Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston was first reported earlier this year by the Business Observer.

The business plan apparently calls for the station to reach out to a broad audience rather than any specific viewer demographic, as revenue will not be generated from direct advertisement.

Ronnie Thwaites

"About 90 per cent of the news content will be local," explained Robinson. "Included in that will be a significant amount of financial information and business news which our market research has indicated there is a strong demand for."

Robinson who already operates a quasi-entertainment television believes he can replicate the model with the more broad-based approach to news.

"We'll start our hard-core news at 6 pm, and go right through the night," he said. "We'll be duplicating the same formula that we've used to make RE TV a success."

As part of that approach Robinson has secured the service of former editor of The Star newspaper Leighton Levy, who has been named editor-in-chief and charged with developing a full-fledged news department.

Among the confirmed presenters for night-time programmes are Dr D K Duncan, John Maxwell, Christine Hewitt, NY-based novelist Colin Channer, and London-based talk show host Stephanie McIntyre.

The station will also televise day-time radio talk shows that originate from other media houses. Among those being contracted: Ronnie Thwaites' Independent Talk aired on Gleaner Company affiliate Power 106 FM. The investors are also thought to be negotiating to televise other Power 106 talk shows, such as Laing & Company.

Revenue will be generated from the syndication of programmes produced by the station, as well as corporate sponsorship, since, under the current law, content providers on cable are not yet allowed to sell advertising.
"There will be synergy with the marketing of the (JNNN) programmes overseas and RE TV shows," declared Robinson.

RE TV programmes are currently aired in the New York tri-state area, as well as in the Atlanta and Florida markets.
Robinson would not disclose who his partners are in this venture, but reliable sources say that he has teamed up with Caribbean Equity Partners managing director Eleanor Brown and others to float the enterprise.

Reliable sources also insist that Robinson is in partnership talks with NCB owner Michael Lee Chin - a details he would not confirm during yesterday's interview.

Lee Chin controls 40 per cent of Radio Jamaica's stocks, and expressed an interest in deepening his stake in that media group earlier in the year.

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