Hope Channel Fiji began broadcasting on the free-to-air Walesi digital TV platform on November 1.

Fiji is in the transition of moving from analogue TV to digital. Walesi is the name of the platform providing this digital service. Many homes already have the Walesi digital set-top boxes, including all of the Suva to Nausori corridor, Nadi and parts of Lautoka city.

“As analogue will be phased out, Walesi will be the only free-to-air television service available, carrying all the current free-to-air major channels,” said John Tousere, director of Hope Channel Fiji.

“What this means to Hope Channel Fiji is we will have the potential to reach 94 percent of the population. That is the conservative figure—Walesi has recently mentioned that potential reach will go up to 100 per cent, with plans to go via satellite to also reach all smaller outer islands in Fiji.

“This is a milestone in media communications for our Church in Fiji. As it stands we are the only 24-hour Christian TV station in the country.”

Trans-Pacific Union Mission president Maveni Kaufononga thanked the Fiji Hope team for the good work.

“We praise the Lord for His leading and we are praying that the media will continue to grow in reaching the people of Fiji,” he said.