Mai TV capture the Pacific Cup Football action, with support from Manaia Go and PCBL. Photo credit: Stanley Simpson.
By Michelle Curran
Executive Communications Manager, Pasifika TV/PCBL
Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL) is using the universal language of sport, to build capacity and capability among the region’s media and content producers.
Natasha Meleisea, Chief Executive Officer at PCBL, says as part of its next phase of work, the organisation is launching a Sports Broadcasting Development Programme to support the expansion and sustainability of media in the region.
“Sport in the Pacific is deeply cultural, and a component of daily life – with traditional sports such as va’a, and the likes of the Pacific Games which are a source of regional pride,” Natasha says.
“Then you have the staunchest of supporters such as the Mate Ma’a Tonga (MMT) fans.
“Sport is a language that resonates with so many, and we see our Sports Broadcasting Development Programme as a pathway to training the next generation of sports broadcasters, while also sourcing more content the region is interested in.”
Funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), PCBL will deliver sports broadcasting training for co-productions of four regional sports events with local broadcasters, over the next three years.
Junior Hunter, Chief Operations Officer at PCBL, says there are also plans to develop a sports streaming development programme, in conjunction with New Zealand developers Cam One – for college and/or club sports to build next generation of sports producers, working with a minimum of four Pacific countries.
This initiative aims to enable safe and reliable streaming from schools or clubs, under PacStream, delivered on a standard Android phone.
“The content will then be shared from Pacific onto Pasifika TV’s YouTube channel, building pathways to roles like producer, camera operator and commentator for the region’s youth populations,” Junior says.
“This builds a pipeline of media students that may want to take up a career in broadcasting and increases sustainability in the industry.”
By adding sports broadcasting and streaming training to its suite of programmes, PCBL is working towards bringing together Pacific broadcasters to deepen networks, address common challenges together, and enable the distribution of quality content to allow Pacific broadcasters to deliver a 24/7 service to their audiences.