Fiji Television Limited and Mai TV are set to enhance their operations and content offerings with financial support from the Public Service Broadcast (PSB) grant. The two television companies officially signed the PSB grant agreement recently, which aims to improve their ability to provide diverse programming.
As part of the current National Budget, the Fijian government allocated $10.4 million for the PSB grant, which also includes funding for the nation’s state broadcaster, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Following the tender process for remaining funds designated for television and radio, Fiji Television and Mai TV emerged as the successful applicants for the television portion.
Mai TV’s director, Stanley Simpson, expressed optimism about the grant, noting that it comes as a significant boost for the station, which has faced challenges operating as the smallest player in the market. Simpson remarked on the difficulties Mai TV has encountered over the last decade, stating, “We have had to downsize, minimise and run on almost a bare minimum for the last 10 years just to stay afloat.” However, he emphasized that the PSB funding will enable them to create valuable public interest content, which includes independent news, cultural stories, health awareness, and discussions on critical developmental issues.
Moreover, Simpson reiterated Mai TV’s commitment to providing reliable, unbiased information that would empower Fijians to make informed choices, nurture community development, and promote good citizenship. The Assistant Minister for Information, Aliki Bia, reinforced the belief that this grant will significantly contribute to local content creation that is both educational and informative for audiences in Fiji.
Further developments concerning the radio segment of the PSB grant are anticipated as the tender process moves forward.
In summary, this initiative not only aims to strengthen the television landscape in Fiji but also seeks to enhance community engagement and support informed citizenship among the populace. The promise of more diverse content could represent a positive turning point for both Mai TV and Fiji Television in their ongoing efforts to connect with viewers.
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