By Serah Aupong – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Papua New Guineans will have more viewing content, with EMTV securing an agreement with a New Zealand Government supported broadcasting initiative.
Under this agreement, the Pacific Broadcasting Cooperation Limited will supply a range of free to air content to EMTV.
This initiative is part of the New Zealand government’s effort, to widen its reach in the Pacific.
While the agreement with EMTV was just finalised, the initiative was launched during the Pacific Islands leaders Forum here in Port Moresby by the New Zealand Prime Minister.
New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG, Tony Fautua, said they hope to reach as many people as possible with this initiative, which means partnering with free to air broadcasters is a key component because the basis of this initiative is “free content”.
“EMTV is seen throughout PNG and this is exciting for us,” Mr Fautua said.
While this is a broadcasting boost for EMTV, it also serves as an important bilateral link.
New Zealand has growing links in PNG through their aid and the recent air services through the newly launched PNG Air services. This broadcasting initiative will go a long way in promoting “government to government linkages through the private sector.”
For EMTV, this agreement provides a range of opportunities.
“It’s also a great opportunity to build our skills and knowledge, by learning from other players within the Pacific Region, and particularly, from New Zealand.
PNG is all about culture, and New Zealand and the Pacific, has a strong cultural heritage. We feel our viewers will learn more about New Zealand and the cultures in our region,” EMTV spokesman Neville Choi said of the agreement.
A unique aspect of this initiative is that is provides free content to the Pacific that people in New Zealand and Australia pay for, especially sports content.
Other content that will come through this initiative include news, documentaries and television series.
Mr Choi said the content will be shown on EMTV by February 2016.
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