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Thompson Out. When Jamaica asked the world to bid for a radio franchise, hale, likeable Roy Thompson, Canadian radio and newspaper chain owner had been first to turn in one. In many Jamaicans' opinion, Thompson's was the best by far of five (two local) received. But his bid had been rejected in favour of British-fronted Jamaica Broadcasting Co.'s (frontman: Hon. Douglas J. Judah, lawyer & M.L.C.). Why? "In the colonies, it's Britons first", a friend tipped off Thompson. Week of December 6, he was scheduled for private talks with Governor Sir John Huggins, Government Leader Alex. Bustamante and Finance Minister Sir Harold Allan. Bustamante awkwardly ducked out. In kissing the franchise goodbye for good, Thompson reportedly spoke his Canadian mind to the governor. With him on Friday 10, also went hopes of another big Jamaican daily newspaper. Between radio and newspaper, the wealthy entrepreneur had planned a quarter-million-dollar investment in dollar-short Jamaica. JBC In. With the franchise in the bag, JBC would now proceed to peg their capital from an original "nominal" £100 to £50,000. They would place 40% of shares on the local market. The remainder (including any unsubscribed portion of the 40%) would be taken up by British-owned Broadcast Relay Services (Overseas) Ltd. (Capital: £600,000), a subsidiary of Broadcast Relay Service, Ltd. (Capital: "Over £1 1/2 million"). Quizzed by a SPOTLIGHT man early this month, Judah disclosed that parent BRS controls some of the UK's best radio manufacturing firms. That JBC will give Jamaica a service which none of the rejected bidders could beat, he was positive. He lightly brushed aside pro-Thompson press squawks that the government had rejected the best bid in order to please British capitalists. WRC. Who are World Radio Corporation, whose application, last (Nov. 27) but not the least, was rejected? WRC had offered just the kind of service Jamaica needs, including cheap (£3) long-&-short wave sets, 400-odd sets to elementary & secondary schools, three world-reaching, round-the-clock stations, free air time to Church and State. At his November press conference the governor sheepishly confessed that he had never heard of them. Government insiders mummed when asked to confirm that the franchise committee had turned down WRC's bid in the mistaken notion that they are tied up with "Voice of the Andes", a powerful station which floods the whole hemisphere with exasperating commercialized religious propaganda. Jamaicans who dug below the suspiciously shallow surface this month learned that WRC are a $9-million Canadian-American concern, able in every respect to effectuate their offer and further, seeking an opening to invest a big dollar bankroll in Jamaica industries. Certainly Not. Would franchise-favoured JBC give Jamaica the same ineffective diffusion service which makes [[advertisement]] [[image - Bells and line of sheet music with words from Silent Night christmas carol]] Happy Xmas – We pause in our effort to render service to wish each and everyone of our loyal friends the blessings of a glorious Christmas and the good fortune of a happy New Year. E. M. MARTIN (Succs.) Ltd. 74 HARBOUR STREET – KINGSTON [[image - lineS of sheet music with words from Silent Night christmas carol]] [[/advertisement]] [[advertisement]] [[image - drawing of refrigerator]] COMING TO JAMAICA VERY SOON! The Beautiful New G.E.C. REFRIGERATOR You can be the proud owner of a new 1949 G.E.C. Refrigerator – if you wait just a little longer! Brilliantly designed, marvellously efficient sealed-in performance, G.E.C. QUALITY throughout. A folder giving full details is available in the meantime. Write or send for one. D. HENDERSON & CO., LTD. 125 HARBOUR ST. PHONE 4810 REPRESENTING THE GENERAL ELECTRICAL CO., LTD. OF ENGLAND [[/advertisement]] SPOTLIGHT, DECEMBER, 1948. SEND SPOTLIGHT OVERSEAS 31
