UnityXM Radio Hits 75,000 Monthly Listeners

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The Rise of UnityXM: How a Small Jamaican Radio Station is Rewriting the Rules of Broadcasting

There's something remarkable happening in the world of radio broadcasting, and it's coming straight out of Jamaica. UnityXM, a plucky startup with just five team members, has managed to do what many traditional broadcasters only dream of – they've gone global while keeping their local soul intact.

Since launching in June 2024, UnityXM has attracted 75,000 monthly listeners, a number that might not sound earth-shattering until you consider the context. In Jamaica's competitive radio market, they've already carved out a respectable 1.55% of the total listening audience. But what's truly fascinating is how they've done it.

The station's Managing Director, Lloyd Laing, doesn't call their listeners "listeners" at all – he calls them "Tastemakers." It's more than just clever branding; it represents a fundamental shift in how radio can work in our increasingly connected world. Their "They Pick, We Play" approach turns traditional radio programming on its head, giving their audience real power in shaping the station's sound.

What's particularly intriguing about UnityXM's success is how they've managed to stay lean while thinking big. In an industry often bogged down by heavy operational costs and bloated staff numbers, they've embraced technology to run a 24/7 operation spanning Jamaica, New York, London, and even Estonia. It's a reminder that in today's digital age, you don't need a massive infrastructure to make a massive impact.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of UnityXM's story is how they've managed to export Jamaican culture while simultaneously enriching it. With nearly half their audience tuning in from places like the UK, Australia, Western Europe, and Southern Asia, they're creating a dynamic cultural exchange. They're not just broadcasting music; they're building bridges between the Afro-diaspora and listeners worldwide.

The station's growth hasn't gone unnoticed by the industry. They're now rubbing shoulders with Jamaica's top 20 traditional stations, and their reach extends to some rather unexpected places – from RVs and motorhomes to boats and private jets. It's an impressive feat for a station that's barely six months old.

As they prepare to launch new shows, including their first female DJ from Western Europe and a Sunday morning show from NYC, it's clear that UnityXM isn't content to rest on its laurels. They're proving that with the right mix of technology, talent, and vision, you can create something truly special in broadcasting.

To borrow Laing's words, "We Likkle, But We Tallawah" – we may be small, but we are strong. It's a quintessentially Jamaican expression that perfectly captures what UnityXM represents: the power of thinking differently, staying agile, and letting your audience help write your story.

In a world where traditional radio often feels stuck in the past, UnityXM is showing us what the future might sound like. And from where I'm sitting, it sounds pretty good.