NBC receives K200 million digital transformation facility

The National Broadcasting Corporation received keys to the newly built state-of-the-art broadcasting facility on Thursday.

The new office studio was constructed at its headquarters at 5 Mile, Port Moresby, costing over K200 million, funded by the PNG Government and its partners from the China International Development Cooperation and Export-Import Bank of China.

The modern broadcasting facility will enhance NBC’s Analog to Digital [A2D] Transformation Project.

The NBC Digital Television Transformation Project demonstrates the dedication to enhancing the country’s technological infrastructure and cultural development; hence, signify a milestone achievement for the state broadcaster as it transits from analog to digital broadcast.

The A2D project will host over 16 TV channels and align with the Government's Digital Transformation Policy 2021.

Information and Communication Technology Minister, Timothy Masiu said marking the formal handover of the keys is a milestone achievement that brings NBC closer to a new chapter as the premier public broadcaster in PNG, significantly enhancing the public broadcasting services, especially in television.

“Under Phase One of this A2D Project, we will offer an initial 16 channels… [when] fully operational, there will be no weekly or monthly subscription fees to access these channels,” Mr Masiu said.

He said the handover of the keys by the Chinese State Construction Engineering Corporation to NBC management will set the preparation for the official launch at the end of July.

Mr Masiu further said the A2D project aims to provide different television programs from our traditional partners like Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, the Philippines, and the People’s Republic of China.

“Meetings with counterparts from CCTV and Fujian Television and Radio in China are scheduled for next month to discuss content acquisition further.

“Our immediate goal is acquiring content from development partners, but our medium to long-term objective is to produce more local PNG content.

“This goal is essential not only for NBC but also for other broadcasters like EMTV and TVWan. We must produce content that reflects our rich culture, agriculture, health, education, sports, and current issues.

“I urge NBC to increase its commitment to creating and or promoting local content. It requires dedication, hard work, and support from the management team. Also, strategic partnerships must be made with local content creators," Mr Masiu said.

Meanwhile, Chargé d' affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in PNG, Chen Jiliang, was grateful for the strong relationship with PNG and pledged their continuous support.