PBS Eyes Free To Air Channel [ March 06 2007 ]
Air Channel
SUVA, March 12, 2007 -- PBS is reapplying to acquire a Free-To-Air Licence which had been elusive since its first application in 2005. PBS has always planned to have a Free-To-Air Channel to complement its growing satellite pay service aimed at serving the Fijian population with relevant programming using state-of-theart technology. PBS’ Chief Executive Officer Simon Fong confirmed today the company is having talks with stakeholders and local production houses detailing plans and schedules that would bring about a Free-To-Air channel that would service Fiji effectively. “With our satellite infrastructure well established, PBS will give Free-To-Air terrestrial access to islands like The Yasawas, Lau, Ovalau, Kadavu, Bau, Koro and Rotuma without residents in these islands having to buy expensive receiving equipment. We will also extend segments of our Free-To-Air broadcast via satellite to cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane located in the Eastern Coast of Australia opening up export doors for local companies who want to sell their products to consumers living there” Fong said. For its subscription television service, PBS has secured about 4000 subscribers to date despite entering the market much later and initially facing an unfriendly competitive environment. PBS aims to hit an aggressive growth of 800 subscribers per month in the coming few months. Demand for PBS’ subscription television service has skyrocketed since PBS introduced its Easy Starter Plan for potential customers in its desire to provide affordable, accessible and relevant high quality television to Fiji. With the Easy Starter Plan, the digital satellite kit is installed free and leased for a very affordable $5.00 per month plus $44.95 a month subscription fee under a 12-month direct debit contract. PBS boasts of the best and strongest Hindustani TV Channel package that has ever hit Fiji that includes the top three broadcasters from India: ZEE, SONY and SAHARA. Together, these channels bring the best in drama series, movies, news, music, and children’s programming, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hit series such as Kasam Se, Mayka, Indian Idol and Kulwadhu are now available to homes in Fiji. PBS’ unparallel Hindustani offering is complemented by well loved international English channels such as Discovery, Nickelodeon, BBC World and Video Hits One all available under the Easy Starter Plan. Fong said, “PBS is now poised to launch the next phase of our business when we will be introducing a package of top English channels into the market. “Riding on the continuous capital injection and technical support being provided by PBS’ Australian partners, The City West Group, PBS is well-positioned to grow steadily over the coming months to provide the highest quality programming line-up in Fiji,” Fong said For more information, please contact: Simon Fong CEO Tel: +679 3372333
|