KINGSTON, Jamaica – July 14, 2021: Ministers of government, business leaders and high-level entertainment industry stakeholders were among the laundry list of prominent persons who participated in the launch of Jamaica’s newest radio station, The Bridge 99FM.
The interactive 9-hour outside broadcast format, which fostered rigorous discussion on matters of trade, strengthening diaspora connections, commerce, and investment, was broadcast to audiences in Jamaica and the New York tri-state area via a simulcast with The Bridge 99FM New York-based sister station IRIE Jam Radio, 93.5 FM – WVIP.
The Bridge 99FM is the brainchild of the Caribbean Global Network (CGN) Group, operators of New York-based IRIE Jam Radio, 93.5 FM – WVIP, the target audience for which includes the 2-million-strong Caribbean diaspora in the tri-state area.
With the launch of The Bridge 99FM, The CGN Group will fortify and expand the connections between Jamaica and the diaspora to create opportunities for trade, information sharing and cultural exchange. The Bridge will also shed light on Jamaica’s rich musical culture and other attributes.
The station is the only Jamaican station to boast an international simulcast and one of the only Caribbean media outlets with a globally streamed HD video format.
Director of the CGN Group, Bobby Clarke, explained, “We are excited to introduce The Bridge 99FM to Jamaican and international audiences today. We chose this format because it was important to engage some of the movers and shakers in Government and across several industries to discuss relevant issues that affect Jamaicans at home and abroad.
The impressive roster of hosts and DJs for our programmes will help us to strengthen our mission of increasing information sharing between Jamaica and its extensive Diaspora across the world.”
He added, “The Diaspora has always been an invaluable source of support for Jamaicans at home. We are simply seeking to amplify that relationship to help build communities and the economy. ”
The Bridge 99FM will target Jamaicans aged 25-75, across all socio-economic groups at home and diaspora-based first, second and third generation Jamaicans who want to maintain a strong link to Jamaica. CGN believes the new station will successfully connect people and all “things Jamaican” in a fresh, new, and exciting format to entice Jamaicans around the world.
Launch attendees included a host of government Ministers including Hon. Audley Shaw, Hon. Fayval Williams, Hon. Floyd Green and Hon. Alando Terrelonge.
The Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, and Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Lisa Hanna also participated in the day’s events. Business leaders from across the telecoms, export, manufacturing, entertainment and other sectors also showed strong support for the Bridge 99FM mission by participating in the in-depth discussions on air.
The station’s impressive roster of talent includes Richie B, Kurt Riley, Nikki Z, Junior Tucker, Rory Stone Love, Professor Donna Hope and Jamaican acting legend Oliver Samuels.
