Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) strategy chief Daniel Singh used his address at the Pasifika TV Conference in Auckland to put hard numbers behind a message Pacific broadcasters have long debated: digital transformation is achievable and can be financially sustainable within the region. Singh told delegates that FBC’s shift into direct-to-consumer platforms was driven by a charge from CEO Tarun Patel to innovate and build the corporation’s own digital products, not simply adapt to platforms controlled by global technology companies.
Singh said FBC approached emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence — with a clear governance framework, placing transparency, editorial oversight, privacy and cultural respect at the centre of policy decisions. He described those principles as “critical for Pacific media” to ensure that technological adoption does not compromise editorial standards or local storytelling traditions.
The most concrete evidence Singh presented came from FBC’s streaming service, VITI+. Since its February 2025 launch, the platform has attracted 26,000 users, delivered 48 pay-per-view events and generated about US$400,000 in revenue, he revealed. Singh framed those figures as proof that Pacific broadcasters can both retain ownership of content and find viable commercial models by serving specialised audiences — most notably Fijians living overseas.
VITI+’s programming, Singh said, focuses heavily on grassroots sport and cultural content that is often overlooked by larger international platforms. By packaging local matches, ceremonies and community events into pay-per-view and on-demand offerings, the service aims to keep diaspora audiences connected to home while creating a direct revenue stream for content producers and rights holders.
Singh also announced plans for an audio platform, SERE+, which he said will host some 5,000 local songs alongside radio stations and other audio content. He positioned SERE+ as a complementary product to VITI+, designed to expand the reach of Fijian music and broadcasting, and to provide another avenue for monetisation and cultural preservation.
A key thrust of Singh’s presentation was a call to action for other Pacific broadcasters: develop bespoke digital solutions rather than waiting for global tech companies to prioritise smaller markets. He argued that locally built platforms allow Pacific media to protect cultural nuance, exercise editorial control, and capture a greater share of the revenue generated by their own stories.
The disclosures at the Auckland conference mark the latest public update from FBC on its digital strategy and are likely to be watched closely by broadcasters across the region weighing how to serve diaspora audiences, monetise niche content, and set policies for new technologies.
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