More companies issued TV licences
Wednesday August 22, 2007

Fiji could soon see more companies providing television services after Cabinet today approved three additional free to air television broadcast licenses.

The companies given the licences include MAI TV Fiji Limited, Pacific Broadcasting Services Limited and Talei Vision.

This brings to four, the total free to air television broadcast licenses issued recently. Local company, Channel 2 Fiji Limited was issued a license early last month.

Minister for Commerce, Industry, Investment and Communications, Taito Waradi explained that the issuance of the licenses was in line with Government's policy to facilitate competition in the Fiji television industry which is currently monopolised by Fiji Television Ltd (up till now holding the only free to air television licence).

"Government invited expressions of interest from any entity interested in establishing and operating free to air television broadcast services to the public.

"An assessment of the expressions of interest was undertaken based on the degree to which their expressions of interest fared in the following aspects: level of local programming content and language broadcasts; attractive developmental aspects proposed; service coverage/viewership reach; airtime; range of programmes; capacity to deliver; and other interesting aspects."

Waradi also informed Cabinet that more companies could be issued licenses in the future depending on them meeting the required criteria.