Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters and PCBL Board Chair Brent Impey enjoy the announcements at Pasifika TV's 10th anniversary on air celebrations.
By Michelle Curran
Executive Communications Manager. PCBL/Pasifika TV
Ten years following the launch of Pasifika TV, Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL) is ensuring Pacific voices continue to be heard, loud and clear, beyond the coral reef, with its plan to build a regional streaming – digital media platform.
In an already significant year for PCBL, the commitment to launch a regional platform is a huge milestone for the organisation, the 30 Pacific broadcasters it supports in the region, Pacific content creators and media professionals.
Natasha Meleisea, Chief Executive Officer of PCBL says the decision to focus on a village approach for digital transformation has largely been informed by initial discussions at the 2023 CEO/General Managers Conference in Auckland.
“It was agreed that unless broadcasters adapted to the fast-changing technology within the industry or adopted a digital strategy they were at threat,” Natasha says.
“Here we are three years later, beginning to implement that transformation, ensuring our Pacific broadcasters and other media professionals in the region not only survive, but flourish.
“A regional streaming platform enables a variety of content to be shared, and our own Pacific stories to be told to the world.”
Natasha says over the next three years, PCBL, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), is focused on the expanding the regional footprint of Pacific content, while deepening partnerships, social and economic resilience, and sharing Pacific history, culture and values.
“This next phase of work still includes the delivery of Pasifika TV 24/7, but PCBL will expand its distribution methodology to include other digital platforms as part of an overarching digital transformation strategy for Pacific broadcasters to support local media sustainability,” Natasha says.
“The multi-platform approach will deliver New Zealand and Pacific-centric content to supplement local Pacific media channels with an emphasis on regional news, local stories, culture, heritage and sport.”
Additionally, PCBL will also work closely with RNZ Pacific News and other radio partners to extend Pacific radio broadcasters’ existing model into the digital audio realm.
Natasha says the first phase of the digital roadmap will be to incorporate streaming capability of Pasifika TV content via a secure pathway to Pacific broadcast partners, which provides a cost-effective distribution alternative to satellite delivery.
“Following that, you will see us go to market to develop a consumer facing platform in partnership with them, enabling broadcasters and producers to particpate in a regional content village.
“Our approach is to build this alongside the region so they may have opportunities to diversify their business models.
“By taking a village approach to the digital platform, a sense of ownership is cultivated among Pacific broadcasters and media and may result in future contribution from the region towards operational costs.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters has been a supporter of PCBL and the work it does in the region since its inception.
Speaking at Pasifika TV’s recent 10-year anniversary celebration, he says the work PCBL does, as the Fourth Estate, helps to create a more connected and robust society.
“This is important because we know that broadcasting and media in the Pacific play a critical role in fostering democracy, ensuring safety, and preserving culture in communities spread across the vast Pacific Ocean,” Minister Peters says.
“Media supports democracy by holding those in power to account, providing public service announcements, and promoting civic education.
“Our ongoing support to PCBL reinforces the importance that New Zealand places on media freedom and a resilient, vibrant and regionally connected Pacific media sector.”
The Minister adds PCBL is a critical partner, connecting the world to the region during emergencies, while supporting local broadcasters to produce factual and locally relevant media content.