Jamaica’s north coast is heading to morning TV.
NBC’s Today with Jenna & Sheinelle announced plans to air two full episodes. Jamaica to March 26th and 27thBring a co-host Jenna Bush Hager and Shaynell Jones to sandals dunsriver to Ocho Rios. Special exhibition produced in collaboration with Jamaica Tourism Board and Sandals Resortwill mark Jones’ first on-site “Girls Trip” since she officially joined Hager as co-host last January.
The broadcast begins with a beachfront backdrop at Sandals Dunn’s River, placing one of morning television’s most storied franchises directly on the sand along Jamaica’s northern coastline.
Live audience from the beach
The Jamaican episode will include viewer giveaways tied directly to the recording. Fans can enter for a chance to win a sponsored all-inclusive trip for two to Sandals Dunn’s River. The winner will attend a live show experience stage in the Caribbean.
The prize package includes a 5-day, 4-night stay at an adults-only all-inclusive resort. This stay includes a full program including unlimited meals at the on-site restaurant, premium alcoholic beverages and land and water sports. Guests can dive PADI certified scuba divingParticipate in a variety of additional activities included in your Sandals experience, including snorkeling on offshore coral reefs and playing pickleball. Round-trip airfare is provided by the Jamaica Tourism Board.
To enter, viewers must submit a short video explaining why they should join Jenna and Sheinelle in Jamaica. The winner will be revealed at the end of March. Applications for participation are accepted at: jennaandsheinelle.com.
Morning TV moves to the Caribbean.
The broadcast, which airs March 26-27, represents a key moment in Jamaican tourism, bringing Ocho Rios and the island’s north coast to morning viewers across the country. Sandals Dunn’s River will serve as the show’s production base, and the co-hosts will experience Jamaica on location rather than in a New York studio.
Kevin Clarke, general manager of Sandals Dunn’s River, said the resort is preparing to welcome both hosts and viewers.
“We’re looking forward to rolling out the island’s hospitality red carpet for our friends and viewers alike on the Today Show,” said Clarke. “Beyond the beautiful backdrop of the beautiful Sandals Dunes River, we want to share the heart and soul of Jamaica and show what makes this island so special to us and everyone who visits.”
Inside Sandals Duns River
Sandals Dunn’s River has reopened as a completely reimagined hotel, bringing one of the brand’s original Jamaican resorts back online with updated accommodations and an expanded culinary concept. The adults-only resort features a collection of suites, including swim-up designs and rooftop options with private pools, and beachfront rooms that place guests close to the water.
Dining features a variety of concepts, from Caribbean-style menus to Mediterranean and Latin-influenced restaurants, to coffee bars and cocktail lounges that decorate the evenings. As with all Sandals properties, the rate structure includes unlimited meals, premium alcohol, gratuity, watersports and certified scuba diving for qualified divers.
Ocho Rios’ location places guests near some of Jamaica’s best-known natural attractions, including the cascades of Dunn’s River Falls and the Blue Hole inland from the coast. The resort’s beachfront setting offers immediate access to swimming, paddleboarding and snorkeling without leaving the property.
Spotlight on Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios has long been one of Jamaica’s premier destinations, balancing cruise port energy, waterfall excursions and resort development along the north coastal corridor. The area attracts both first-time visitors and returning visitors who combine beach time with off-site exploration.
By placing today’s broadcast on Sandals Dunn’s River, the producers are effectively turning Ocho Rios into a live set, with the Caribbean and Jamaica’s lush hillsides serving as the backdrop for two consecutive national broadcasts.
The partnership between NBC’s TODAY, the Jamaica Tourist Board and Sandals Resorts fits into a broader strategy of destination storytelling through high-visibility media placement. National morning shows regularly drive interest and bookings after on-site episodes, especially when combined with viewer contests.
From studio lighting to Island Sun
The March taping will be the first official “Girls Trip” broadcast since Sheinelle Jones took on her new co-host role alongside Jenna Bush Hager earlier this year. Moving the show from Rockefeller Plaza to the Jamaican coastline emphasizes the shift toward experiential programming directly connected to travel.
For viewers, the appeal extends beyond watching episodes. The opportunity to engage with a live audience in Jamaica, with airfare and accommodation included, adds an interactive dimension to the broadcast.
Not only will the winner and their guests experience Sandals Dunn’s River’s all-inclusive offerings, but they will also attend a live taped environment that blends a morning TV production with a Caribbean vacation.
The two-part event will air March 26 and 27 on NBC. Viewer prize entry details can be found on the program’s official website.
