Australia continues to strengthen its presence in the Pacific, with the government announcing the expansion of the PacificAus TV initiative to the Cook Islands and Niue.
Under this program, residents of these two nations will gain access to over 2,000 hours of Australian television content each year.
Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, said, “With the expansion of the PacificAus TV initiative to the Cook Islands and Niue, now even more of our regional neighbours can access quality Australian content, fostering stronger cultural ties across the Indo-Pacific region.”
“The Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy continues Australia’s longstanding commitment to supporting a robust media sector in the Indo-Pacific, and has identified this opportunity for expansion,” she added.
The PacificAus TV initiative, managed by Free TV Australia, receives $5.68 million annually as part of the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy. This initiative is aimed at supporting the viability of Pacific regional media while expanding access to Australian news, sports, children’s programs, dramas, and lifestyle entertainment.
Television networks Cook Islands Television, Vaka TV, and the Broadcasting Corporation of Niue have joined the initiative, allowing them to broadcast Australian content tailored to local audience preferences. They join 14 other Pacific broadcasters in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu that already benefit from the program.
Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, added, “Australia has a proud history of supporting Pacific media and broadcasters, and we know how critical a vibrant media sector is for sharing important stories and forging connections across our region.
“PacificAus TV’s growth is delivering on our commitment to share content that resonates with Pacific audiences and complements our investments to bolster media development and viability.”
The Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy seeks to enhance access to reliable and high-quality news across the region, promote independent media, and strengthen people-to-people engagement. Through these efforts, Australia aims to counter misinformation and share the values of modern multicultural Australia with Pacific audiences.
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