Three More Radio Stations Approved

Don Seymour, Managing 
Director of dms Management 
Ltd

by Brian Buckley

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

The Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA), confirmed on Friday that it had approved a licence for dms Broadcasting Ltd on 15 July to operate three new radio stations, according to ICTA Managing Director Dave Archbold.

With these licences in hand, dms Broadcasting will now look to begin broadcasting on: HOT 104.1 FM, MIX 106.1 FM, and ISLAND 107.1 FM. 

“We at the ICTA have a directive that says ‘provided all applications meet all the required criteria, the licences are to be granted,’” said Mr Archbold. “On Thursday, we reviewed dms Broadcasting’s licence applications and approved them.” 

Last week, radio station Style 96.5 also commenced broadcasting in the Cayman Islands, joining eight other current stations. 

At the time of application Don Seymour, Managing Director of dms Management Ltd said: “Our broadcasting team is focused on developing world-class radio stations that will be truly entertaining and inspiring to all Cayman’s residents. I am proud of the tremendous work that our team has done on this project and we are excited at the opportunity to bring music to music lovers.”

Reached for comment last Friday, Mr Seymour explained, “We are extremely pleased and excited that the applications have been approved. We feel that the public will be very pleased with the radio stations that we will operate. These three stations will be tremendously entertaining and will offer a unique listening experience,” he said.

The vision for the three stations are best explained by their names. HOT 104.1 FM will cater to the younger residents of Grand Cayman; MIX 106.1 FM will focus more on the adult population; and ISLAND 107.1 FM will play all Caribbean music all of the time. Mr Seymour said the formats for each station had not been finalized.

With Grand Cayman soon to boast twelve radio stations when dms launches its three, some owners of other radio stations have questioned the ability of the advertising market to sustain the number of stations.

“The only people who complain about competition are the competitors,” said Mr Seymour. “I don’t think the public is poorly served by having more choice. I think these concerns are the concerns of the competitors.”

No official date for the on-air launch of the stations has been set. The tower for the stations has been erected and dms has stepped up its preparations with the news of the granting of the licences. In all likelihood, the stations will have a staggered roll-out to the public.

Mr Seymour said he felt that the current radio stations were not serving all of the people in the Cayman Islands. “Cayman has such a diverse population,” he said. “I believe there are 147 different nationalities here. dms thought it could capitalize on that market opportunity. We are very appreciative of ICTA’s hard work and to all involved in making our application successful.”

Reader comments:

• As a personal friend of Mr. Seymour from college days at the University of Texas at Austin, I am ecstatic to see the success of his business endeavors. Keep it up Seymour! - CW

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