Channel 2 broadcast ready by December
Friday August 24, 2007

The newest inclusion into Fiji's television industry Channel 2 (Fiji) Limited will be ready to broadcast their free-to-air channel before Christmas, say company directors.

The directors Mark Lorenzetti and Ken Stratton during a press conference in Suva today said the company has been researching and preparing for broadcast for the past seven years whist waiting for their licence.

Lorenzetti said the company is very optimistic that it will be able to begin broadcast in December and have already began to secure staff and infrastructure to establish the station.

Stratton said they aim to match the coverage of Fiji TV's free-to-air broadcast service when they begin services.

He added that the programmes would be a unique blend of news, current affairs and entertainment.

Stratton said that the Channel 2 programming would constitute the required 30 per cent from local production houses adding that key alliances has been made with some of the big names in local production.

Channel 2 was given Fiji's first free-to-air broadcasting licence after 15 years by the interim regime last month.

Following that, three more licences have been awarded to MAI TV Fiji Limited, Pacific Broadcasting Services Limited and Talei Vision.

Lorenzetti said Channel 2 is aware of the new entrants into the free-to-air market, "but having planned for the past seven years, we are ready to roll out our services as early as December 2007".

He also said that the advertising sector in Fiji will be able to handle more than one service provider and "it will be the survival of the fittest".

The company plans to employ 45 staff and is expected to invest $10 million in Fiji over the next few years.