PacificAus TV
PacificAus TV is a programming service funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade providing a feed of programs from Australian commercial television networks, backed by FreeTV Australia. Broadcasters receive a 24-hour feed of the channel, which is encrypted and reserved for use to the members. The signal is delivered through the Intelsat 19 satellite.[1]
As of March 2026, eighteen broadcasters in twelve countries are members of the service.
History
PacificAus TV was created in 2020 as an Australian soft power initiative to counter the rising influence of China in the region. It was first announced in May that year with the first target countries being Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru would follow later. This involved an initial three-year period where 1,000 hours worth of programmes would be screened in the region.[2] The service reportedly started on 8 June, when Fiji's Mai TV began carrying its programmes.[3]
In September 2024, Cook Islands Television, Vaka Television and TV Niue started airing its output.[4]
In September 2025, a deal with Football Australia was inked, valid until year-end 2027.[5]
Criticism
The primary goal is to promote the true image of Australia to the Pacific, which differed from the one provided by Neighbours and Home and Away, where the households depicted in the soaps were a pipe dream for most Australians, less so for the Pacific nations, where the population is relatively poorer. The selection of some shows was also criticised by Kate Clayton in a 2022 article, such as Better Homes & Gardens being selected even when climate change hampered the Pacific islands, while Border Security, criticised for its depictions of Pacific Islanders denying entrance into Australia, was removed after airing in the initial line-up.[6]
Member broadcasters
As of March 2026:
| Member | Country or territory | Year it joined |
|---|---|---|
| Mai TV | Fiji | 2020 |
| Fiji Television | Fiji | 2020 |
| Fiji Broadcasting Corporation | Fiji | 2020 |
| Kiri One TV (Wave TV) | Kiribati | 2020 |
| Nauru Television | Nauru | 2020 |
| National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea | Papua New Guinea | 2020 |
| EMTV | Papua New Guinea | 2020 |
| Telekom Television | Solomon Islands | 2020 |
| Tuvalu.TV | Tuvalu | 2020 |
| Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation | Vanuatu | 2020 |
| TV1 Samoa | Samoa | 2021 |
| EFKS TV2 | Samoa | 2021 |
| TV3 Samoa | Samoa | 2021 |
| Tonga Broadcasting Commission | Tonga | 2021 |
| Cook Islands Television | Cook Islands | 2024 |
| Vaka Television | Cook Islands | 2024 |
| Broadcasting Corporation of Niue | Niue | 2024 |
| Rádio e Televisão de Timor-Leste | Timor-Leste | 2025 |
References
- ^ "PacificAus TV". Lyngsat.
- ^ Joint Media Release: Australian content boost for audiences in the Pacific
- ^ Mai TV To Feature Australian Shows
- ^ Australia : Cook Islands and Niue gain access to PacificAus TV. (2024, Sep 28). MENA Report
- ^ FOOTBALL AUSTRALIA AND FREE TV EXTEND PARTNERSHIP
- ^ Televising Australian Soft Power in the Pacific
- ^ "Broadcast Partners". PacificAus TV. 29 December 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
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