Radio Fiji - Fijian Newspapers

Radio Fiji
THE BEGINNING OF RADIO IN FIJI
The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited is FijiÌs national radio broadcasting service. It traces its history back to 1935 when it first began operating under license from the posts and Telegraphs Department with the call sign ZJV.

The home of ZJV was in two rooms on the ground floor of the cable and Wireless building (now occupied by FINTEL) in the capital Suva. One room housed the medium wave transmitter and racks of gramophone records while the other room was the studio with the announcer sitting at a control desk in one corner. The transmitting aerial was in the lawn between Cable and Wireless and the existing Suva Civic Centre.

The power of the transmitter was 500 watts. It gave good reception in Suva and in most of southern-eastern Viti Levu. Mountains and distance produced fading weak signals elsewhere, but people nevertheless listen in growing numbers during the stationÌs breakfast, midday and evening sessions. Not surprisingly the sale of receivers also grew as more people tune into ZJV.

At the end of 1952, the Legislative Council passed the Broadcasting Commission Bill. The commission members were appointed in June 1953. Work also began in the same year on Broadcasting House (corner of Gladstone Road and Carnavon Street). On July 1, 1954, the CommissionÌs first programme was broadcast as part of the official opening ceremony.

In January 1998 the Fiji Broadcasting Commission was corporatised under the then GovernmentÌs public sector reform programme and renamed Island Networks Corporation Limited. In June 1999 the change in Government also led to another change in name - this time to the Fiji Broadcasting Limited.
TODAYÌS NATIONAL RADIO SERVICE

From its humble beginnings, the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited today operates a network of six radio stations Ò two in each of the major languages (Fijian, Hindustani, and English).

The stations are Radio Fiji One and Bula FM (Fijian), Radio Fiji Two and Radio Mirchi (Hindustani) and Radio Fiji Gold and 2DayFM (English).
Radio Fiji One and Radio Fiji Two are classified public service broadcast stations governed under a contract between the government and the FBCL. Under this contract the Government ÏbuysÓ airtime on the two stations and contributes towards its operations. Advertising revenue supplements the operating costs of these two stations associated support services.

The other arm of the FBCL is its commercial operations under which fall four radio stations Ò Bula FM, Radio Fiji Gold, Radio Mirchi and 2dayFM.
FBCLÌS PHILOSOPHIES

The six radio stations operated by the FBCL target separate niche markets. The stations were designed around listener research and preferences.

Radio Fiji Gold is easy listening and takes on a semi-public service broadcast format with longer and in-depth news, current affairs and sports programmes.

Bula FM and Radio Mirchi are our vernacular pop stations and are the alternative to their sister stations Radio Fiji 2 and Radio Fiji 1. These stations are music based with hourly news, popular programs and loads of competitions. They transmit in the FM mode and cover 82% of the country.

2Day FM is our youth English station and is the alternative to its sister station Radio Fiji Gold. The music is fast and current. The on-air staff focuses on real life issues affecting the 10 to 24 year age group.

The other two stations of the FBCL which from the public service broadcast arm of the FBCL are Radio Fiji One (broadcasting in the Fijian language) and Radio Fiji Two (broadcasting in the Hindustani language). These stations have national coverage via AM and supplemented in some areas by FM transmitters. The company is required to comply with the requirements of the terms as stipulated in the public service broadcast contract.

The PSB stations programs reach out to the largest possible audience. These programs include weather bulletins, News and Current affairs, National emergency messages and awareness, Disaster warnings and awareness, religious programs, Cultural and cross cultural programs, family programs, programs that interest the minority groups such as Rotumans and Banabans, ChildrenÌs and youth development programs, and other programs of national interest such as covering the Great Council of ChiefÌs meetings and Parliament deliberations.

THE FUTURE OF FBCL

In recent months FBCL has made huge progress in embracing new technology, reducing overheads, improving efficiency and ensuring greater profitability.

The fact that you are reading this electronically online on our new website and able to hear all our six radio stations on the Internet is testimony to our progress. This is only the beginning and already plans are past the embryonic stages to enhance the diversity of our services.

In an extremely vibrant and competitive broadcast environment, the traditional radio broadcasting service can no longer survive without massive public funding. The challenge for the FBCL since corporatisation in 1998 has been a rapid shift away from reliance on public funding.

We have been successful with public funding accounting for 27% of our total revenue. This compares to a sizeable 80% public funding quota not so long ago.

After decades of huge losses, the FBCL has begun to make a profit. The positive financial results and increased market share of the reorganized FBCL are testimony to the prudent financial management, resilience and commitment of the Board, management and staff of our Radio Company.

While the results are pleasing, the FBCL is adopting smarter work practices to harness the full potential of what undoubtedly is a success story. This requires making tough decisions and striking a balance between operating a successful business while meeting its social obligations as FijiÌs national radio broadcasting service. This will undoubtedly lead to strengthened market share, increased profits, reduction in operating costs, and upgrading the CompanyÌs depleted infrastructure.

The FBCL has embarked on a multi-million dollar capital upgrade of both its on-air and broadcast transmission equipment which when completed will enhance the quality and range of its network of six radio stations.

With a network of six powerful radio stations, and a cadre of dynamic and talented employees, the FBCL can now contribute more effectively to develop a responsible and informed populous that can contribute positively to national development and the overall welfare of society.

The impending privatisation of the FBCL will further strengthen the radio company and maintain its dominance in FijiÌs radio market.

Happy listening and thank you for your support!

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