AL Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Mello FM, is preparing for the launch of his new television channel Mello TV come October.

The television channel, which is expected to air news, current affairs, weather and sports, will be offered to viewers free of cost through communications provider Flow. Currently, Mello TV is being test-transmitted on Cornwall Cable, Channel 112.

The Jamaican market is currently supplied by three free-to-air stations, TVJ, CVM and Love TV, with other local stations — such as the recently launched Business Access TV — available via cable. All compete for market share with the hundreds of US and other stations available via cable or satellite.

According to Robinson, the high-definition television channel will be available for viewing on iPhones, android smart TV, iPads, desktop, tablets along with cable TV; and will be rolled out on a phased process. The company has also indicated that its free-to-air digital television broadcasts will be ready for 2018.

“We want to start full service on the mobile and the cable. Based on the test transmission, we will use that to get the free-to-air up and running, so it’s being done in three phases,” the chief executive officer stated in a recent report.

The television station will mirror the concept of Mello FM, which transmits from Montego Bay. A news and production studio facility is reportedly being built at the radio station’s Barnett Street location.

“News, sports and weather will be at 6:30 pm just before TVJ, Monday to Friday. We are going to have talk shows, entertainment as well as lifestyle,” he stated.

Reports have indicated that Robinson is seeking to assist in the development of Montego Bay, after successfully capturing the market with Mello FM back in 2003. The radio station started broadcasting islandwide in 2010 and currently transmits on 88.1Megahertz (MHz) from Catherine’s Peak covering the eastern region of Jamaica; on 88.3 MHz from Huntley Manchester covering the central region, and on 88.5 MHz covering the west.

Mello FM is now competitive in the market providing entertainment for a wide market segment with programmes such as Life and Relationships with Michael Anthony Cuffe Sr, Mello Day Break with Ron Muschette, Sunday Tracks with Al Robinson, The Barry ‘G’ Show, Sunday Cruz with Lady J, and a range of popular song tracks.