Caption: Minister for Communications, Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.Photo:FILE
By ASHTOSH SINGH
Fiji Television Limited has apologized to the government for the unsanctioned announcement the company had made earlier this week regarding the company’s planned transition from analog to digital transmission.
The apology follows the concerns raised by Communications Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum on why Fiji TV announced its planned transition to digital broadcasting without first seeking clarification from the Department of Communications.
Fiji TV now understands the technical aspects involved in this transition and acknowledges and appreciated the Government’s initiative and its control over the process whereby the digital infrastructure will be shared by all market participants.
The Communications Minister has welcomed the option for Digital Transmission as this will cut down the costs of building and maintaining infrastructure for all the TV stations in which other Television broadcasters could also take advantage of the change.
A new system is expected to come into effect soon to ensure that joint bids for television rights for events of national interest are sent by the three television broadcasters in the country and not by one.
This means that the exclusive television rights for major sporting events that are of national interest in the country are determined through the bids sent by individual TV stations which means the amount the station will pay for the rights for it to be aired on their Television.
Meanwhile, Acting Prime Minister and Communications Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that the government is on its way to ensure that none of the TV companies in the country , MAI TV, FBC TV and FIJI TV lose out on the airing of shows that are of national interest, while the minister also stated that a survey would also be conducted to ensure the demand for in certain listener-ship and viewership of shows and the Communications Ministry will work with the Minister for Sports to decide on the events of national interest and allow all TV stations to air them equally.