FBC positions Fiji as regional rugby broadcasting hub after major tech upgrade
Fiji’s national broadcaster, the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), says a strategic upgrade of its production technology has turned Fiji into a regional hub for major rugby broadcasts, including World Rugby-sanctioned matches and Fijian Drua fixtures, all produced from within Fiji.
In testimony to the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs as part of FBC’s 2018–2023 annual review, Chief Executive Tarun Patel disclosed that nearly three and a half million dollars has been invested to bring production facilities up to international standards, removing the need to fly in foreign broadcast crews to Fiji. He noted that Fiji can now produce games for Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom from local facilities.
Patel highlighted the recent Super Rugby Pacific season, during which FBC was contracted to produce Drua home games—work previously handled by overseas production teams. He recalled that in the past, World Rugby-sanctioned matches or Drua games hosted in Fiji often required 17-strong foreign production crews and their equipment. Now, FBC handles the full production in-house, with the last Drua match entirely produced by the FBC team.
The CEO thanked the Drua management for entrusting the production contract to a local broadcaster, saying that the arrangement helped amortize the capital investment and demonstrated that Fiji’s production team can meet international standards. The same high-end equipment and production skills are being applied to cover other domestic events, such as the Deans Rugby finals, swimming competitions, and the Coca-Cola Games.
Patel also highlighted a strong commitment to developing human capital, noting that about $750,000 has been spent on training. International trainers have been brought in to work with local staff, ensuring that equipment upgrades are matched by growing local expertise.
This development comes amid broader momentum in Fiji’s broadcasting sector. Recent reports have highlighted FBC’s recognition for its Drua streaming and other innovative programming, including awards that celebrate digital platforms and high-quality sports coverage. The expansion of local broadcasting capabilities is also linked to ongoing projects to improve regional access, such as establishing new broadcast hubs in northern Fiji, designed to extend coverage to communities in Vanua Levu and beyond. In parallel, government support for public service broadcasting has continued to emphasize local content, access, and representation across Fiji’s media landscape.
Local production capability is reducing dependence on foreign crews and boosting domestic employment and skills in high-end broadcasting. Producing major rugby events locally supports the Drua and Fiji’s broader rugby ecosystem, while potentially attracting sponsorship and regional distribution opportunities.
The investments align with a wider trend toward digital and multi-platform delivery of sports content, alongside continued government backing for local broadcasters and infrastructure.
The success of in-country production reinforces Fiji’s status as a regional hub for rugby coverage, with potential spillovers into other high-profile sports and national events.
FBC’s tech upgrade and in-house production for top-tier rugby signal a positive shift in Fiji’s media landscape, strengthening local capacity, expanding access to high-quality sports coverage, and boosting Fiji’s profile as a regional broadcasting center.
The move reinforces a hopeful path for locally produced, world-class broadcasts that can empower Fiji’s talent, broaden audience reach, and drive further investment in media and sport.
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