PacificAus TV

Television Subscription and International
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PacificAus TV

Australian content boost for audiences in the Pacific

Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji will have access to more Australian television content through the PacificAus TV initiative delivered by Free TV Australia.

Programs such as Neighbours, MasterChef, The Voice, 60 Minutes, House Rules, Border Security: Australia’s Frontline and children’s program Totally Wild will be available for broadcast on local free-to-air channels.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said that the PacificAus TV Initiative is a great way to broaden audiences for much-loved Australian screen content.

“Our close neighbours across the Pacific can now enjoy more Australian television content including lifestyle programs, news, drama and sports on their local free-to-air television stations through the initiative. I want to acknowledge the efforts of FreeTV who made this possible,” Minister Fletcher said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said today’s announcement builds on the range of initiatives under Australia’s Pacific Step-up, strengthening links between Australians and people across the Pacific.

“Having the opportunity to watch the same stories on our screens will only deepen the connection with our Pacific family. For decades, many Pacific countries have had access to Australian programmes and televised sporting matches and this initiative will expand those entertainment options. Free TV Australia is in the process of finalising arrangements for sport to be broadcast from codes including netball, cricket, soccer, AFL and NRL,” Minister Payne said.

Assistant Defence Minister and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Alex Hawke MP, said Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji are the first of seven countries that will receive Australian content through the initiative.

“The PacificAus TV initiative is a terrific demonstration of shared cultural ties and links between Australia and the Pacific. While Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji are the first to switch on to the Pacific TV initiative, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru will follow in the coming months,” Minister Hawke said.

The PacificAus TV initiative will make the broadcast rights to 1,000 hours of Australian television content available to broadcast partners in Pacific nations each year for three years.

Free TV Australia was selected to work with Australian commercial free-to-air television networks and Pacific partner broadcasters to supply premium Australian content, free of charge, to the Pacific broadcasters.

Content availability is based on consultation by Free TV Australia with Pacific broadcasters, and the additional Australian content is provided for programming by partner broadcasters as best meets their audience needs and other country-specific requirements.

The initiative is worth $17.1 million over three years.

From The Hon Paul Fletcher MPMinister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts

Website: https://www.pacificaustv.com/

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From Free TV:

Free TV Australia Welcomes the Launch of PacificAus TV

Free TV Australia welcomes today’s joint announcement by Ministers Paul Fletcher, Marise Payne and Alex Hawke that audiences in Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (PNG) will have free access to premium, Australian television programs through the PacificAus TV initiative. Over the coming months, PacificAus TV will also roll out to additional Pacific nations including Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru.

PacificAus TV is the result of a partnership between Free TV Australia and the Federal Government. PacificAus TV has sourced content from Australian commercial television networks and other content providers to supply Pacific partner broadcasters with premium Australian content across the Pacific, free-of charge. 1000-plus hours of Australian television content will be provided each year for the next three years.

“We are excited to share with our Pacific neighbours so many of the quality television programs that Australian audiences know and love,” said Bridget Fair, CEO, Free TV Australia. “Through our Pacific partner broadcasters PacificAus TV will offer the best of Australian drama, entertainment, children’s programming, sport and lifestyle shows to viewers in our region.”

Pacific audiences will be able to watch episodes of iconic Australian programs including Neighbours, Better Homes & Gardens, Totally Wild, Border Security, 60 Minutes, The Voice, MasterChef, 800 Words, Paramedics and Lego Masters. Sports fans will not be neglected - Free TV Australia is in the process of finalising agreements for live matches and review shows from Australian sporting codes including football, netball, cricket, rugby league and AFL. A full list of programs is available on the PacificAus TV website.

PacificAus TV content will be supplied directly to Pacific Partner broadcasters using either a file-based internet distribution portal or satellite depending on the requirements in each nation. The local broadcasters will then incorporate the PacificAus TV content into their own broadcast services to meet their own audience and programming requirements.

“NBC is excited to be part of this Pacific TV initiative to incorporate Australian TV programs into our existing TV schedule,” said Kora Nou, Managing Director, National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in PNG. “We are equally appreciative of the Australian Government’s commitment, through Free TV, to cover the licence costs of this content.

While the initial arrangement will see us receive many popular Australian programs, we also look forward to sharing some of our local NBC content with our close Australian neighbours in the future."

“The programs will greatly enrich the television content available to all Fijians,” said Stanley Simpson, Director Mai TV, Fiji. “We have received a great mix of drama, entertainment and educational programs that will both delight and inform our viewers on Mai TV. Sincere thanks to the Australian Government for the initiative.”

In some markets such as Tuvalu and Nauru, broadcasters do not currently have the necessary satellite dishes to receive the PacificAus TV content. Free TV has ordered satellite dishes for these broadcasters and, given the constraints on travelling presented by COVID-19, Free TV will offer remote support to local broadcasters with their installation.

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PacificAus TV is supposed to complement the existing ABC Australia service into the Pacific Islands region isn’t it? Based on the press releases, ABC will keep Home and Away but loses a number of dramas provided by commercial networks, as well as AFL programming, to PacificAus TV.

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I’ll put money on this being the first step in defunding the ABC’s international operations

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The random drama programs on ABC Australia have always seemed odd. Especially Home & Away.

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The ABC has been given a grant of $1,197,900.00 by DFAT to produce sports programs for this service.

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The Latest, the late news bulletin from Seven News, can now be seen across South Pacific.

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So it will be the normal bulletin (e.g. Musher)?

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Labor’s plan would also explore opportunities for SBS to co-produce programs with Pacific outlets, while PacificAus TV, which provides Australian-made commercial programming to the region, will also be enhanced.

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C21 reports PacificAus TV has bought these programs from Beyond Rights to be broadcast in South Pacific: three seasons of reality title Beach Cops (18×60’) and nearly 150 hours of kids’ content including History Hunters (26×30’), two seasons of fun science show Lab Rats Challenge (130×30’) and preschool series Pipsqueaks (135×30’).

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This year’s Christmas with Delta special will air in South Pacific on Christmas Day (Monday) at 4pm, via PacificAus TV, as posted by Delta Goodrem on Instagram today.

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Full media release

PacificAus TV Expands Services to the Cook Islands and Niue as Part of Australia’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy

PacificAus TV, an important part of the Australian Government’s recently announced Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, is proud to announce its expansion to the Cook Islands and Niue. This significant development is set to enhance the availability of quality free-to-air television content from Australia across these Pacific nations, fostering stronger cultural ties and sharing stories throughout the region.

Starting in September, residents of the Cook Islands and Niue will gain access to a diverse range of Australian television programming, including acclaimed dramas, documentaries, sports coverage, news, entertainment, and children’s shows. This expansion is aligned with the broader goals of the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, which aims to strengthen connections within the region through accessible and engaging Australian media content.

PacificAus TV, which is managed by Free TV Australia, has played a crucial role in delivering high-quality content that resonates with Pacific audiences since 2020. By extending its services to the Cook Islands and Niue, the initiative reaffirms its commitment to strengthen Australia’s connections with the people of the Pacific, offering programming that entertains and informs.

“We are excited to bring PacificAus TV to the Cook Islands and Niue,” said Free TV CEO, Bridget Fair. "This expansion is a key component of Australia’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, demonstrating our commitment to deepening relationships across the Pacific.”

The content will be broadcast through local free-to-air channels, ensuring that all residents of the Cook Islands and Niue can enjoy the programming at no cost. The lineup features a broad array of genres catering to all age groups, with a special emphasis on sporting and other content that is of direct interest to Pacific nations.

The Director of PacificAus TV, Shane Wood, said, “With the addition of our new partners in the Cook Islands and Niue, PacificAus TV will now be sharing the best of Australian television with 17 free-to-air broadcasters in 11 Pacific nations across 6 time zones.”

“We are extremely grateful to be able to access such a wide variety of Australia’s top programming for airing on Cook Islands Television at no rights and delivery cost. This really means a lot to us.” said Jeane Matenga, CEO of Cook Islands Television. “Being able to offer relevant, engaging and top-quality content is extremely beneficial towards us providing a continuous service.”

This expansion underlines PacificAus TV’s role in the Australian Government’s efforts to enhance media accessibility and support local broadcasters across the Pacific by providing high-quality Australian content that complements local programming.

For more information on PacificAus TV’s expansion and the programming available in the Cook Islands and Niue, please visit www.pacificaustv.com

About PacificAus TV:

PacificAus TV is a key component of the Australian Government’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, designed to enhance Australia’s engagement in the Pacific.

The objective of the program is to project an accurate image of modern Australia through increased access to high quality, trusted and credible content, contributing to a diversity of media in the Indo-Pacific.

PacificAus TV achieves this objective by making the broadcast rights to a wide variety of Australian commercial television content available to broadcast partners in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, Niue, and the Cook Islands.

This includes making rights available to at least 2,000 hours per year of premium Australian commercial television programs including lifestyle programs, news, current affairs, children’s programs, drama, reality TV and sport.

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Football Australia and Free TV Australia have extended their partnership to distribute matches across the Pacific through PacificAus TV.

The extension covers all Football Australia-controlled home matches for the CommBank Matildas and CommBank Socceroos as well as select Hahn Australia Cup and Australian Championship fixtures through to 2027.

Building on the success of the original agreement, which started in 2021, the extension sees the broadcast of the Australia Championship as a new inclusion, with a minimum of two quarter finals, two semi-finals and the Final being included in the package.

Matches will be available for broadcasters in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Launched in 2020, PacificAus TV provides at least 2,000 hours of free commercial television content each year to Pacific Partner Broadcasters as a key part of the Australian Government’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, providing content to 17 broadcasters in 11 nations over seven time zones.

PacificAus TV’s objective is to strengthen Australia’s cultural ties to the Indo-Pacific region by providing broadcasters in the Pacific with access to high quality, trusted and credible Australian television content, contributing to a diversity of media in the Indo-Pacific.

This agreement is part of Football Australia’s strategy to grow the profile of Australian football in international markets, using Australia’s iconic national teams and premier competitions.

Additionally, the agreement expands on Football Australia’s important and ongoing commitment to using football as a tool to build relationships and capacity in the Pacific and Oceania region.

Football Australia Interim CEO, Heather Garriock:

“Football Australia’s partnership with PacificAus TV is an important expansion of Football Australia’s strategy to be a leader in the Pacific region.

“We are thankful for the ongoing support of FreeTV and its network and are excited to expand football coverage from international matches and the Hahn Australia Cup, to now include two quarterfinals, two semi-finals and the Final as well as the Australian Championship.

“This partnership will ensure international reach for the Australian Championship from its inaugural season and greater audience reach more broadly.

“We are delighted to expand our broadcast partnership with PacificAus TV and to ensure that football continues to inspire and connect communities across the Pacific content.”

Free TV Australia CEO, Bridget Fair:

"PacificAus TV is a key component of the Australian Government’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, demonstrating our commitment to deepening relationships across the Pacific.

“This Football Australia content is of direct interest to Pacific nations and is broadcast through local free-to-air channels ensuring that all residents of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, Tonga, Cook Islands and Niue, can enjoy the programming at no cost.”

PacificAus TV Director, Shane Wood:

"PacificAus TV currently shares the best of Australian television with 17 free-to-air broadcasters in 11 Pacific nations across 7 time zones.

“This partnership with Football Australia underlines PacificAus TV’s role in the Australian Government’s efforts to increase access to high quality, trusted and credible Australian television content in the Indo-Pacific, strengthening cultural and sporting ties across the region.”

The CommBank Socceroos are set to play two matches against New Zealand on Friday 5 September 2025 at GIO Stadium, Canberra and Tuesday 9 September 2025 at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. Both matches will be made available by PacificAus TV.

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Pictured: Tom Rishbieth, Chief Revenue Officer Football Australia, Michelle Heyman, CommBank Matildas Player & Bridget Fair, Chief Executive Officer Free TV Australia.

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This year’s Christmas with Delta special is also broadcast in the South Pacific through PacificAus TV.

(From Delta Goodrem’s Instagram Story)

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PacificAus TV Brings NRL to the Pacific: Strengthening Cultural Ties Across the Region

Free TV Australia is proud to announce an agreement for PacificAus TV to deliver National Rugby League (NRL) matches to its Pacific partner broadcasters, expanding the availability of live and free-to-air coverage of Australia’s most popular football competition to communities across the region.

PacificAus TV currently shares the best of Australian television with 18 free-to-air broadcasters in 12 nations across 8 time zones and this agreement brings a powerful new dimension to that reach - audiences in Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue and Timor-Leste will have access to two live NRL matches and one delayed match each week through their local free-to-air broadcasters. Fiji and Papua New Guinea have pre-existing broadcast arrangements in place.

Players of Pasifika heritage comprise 52 per cent of all NRL talent, and 29 per cent have at least one parent born in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga or other Pacific islands. The audiences who have long shaped the game can now watch it on their own screens, through their own local broadcasters, for free.

"Free TV is very proud to deliver the PacificAus TV initiative as a key component of Australia’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, and this agreement for the NRL is a perfect expression of what the initiative is for. Rugby league is deeply woven into the fabric of Pacific life, and PacificAus TV is uniquely placed to deliver world-class sport through trusted local channels – ensuring communities from the Cook Islands and Niue to Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and beyond can enjoy this premium programming at no cost.

We look forward to deepening cultural and community ties with our Pacific partners through the shared language of rugby league."

— Bridget Fair, CEO, Free TV Australia

“In the recent NRL Annual Report 2025, Rugby League again confirmed its position as the biggest sport in Australia and the Pacific — with record audiences, record attendance, and record participation.
We are proud that fans across the Pacific can now watch the world’s best rugby league live, for free, through their own local broadcasters.”

— Shane Wood, Director, PacificAus TV

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PacificAus TV launches in Timor-Leste

Free TV Australia today announced the launch of PacificAus TV in Timor-Leste, expanding access to trusted, high-quality Australian television content for Timorese audiences.

PacificAus TV is an Australian Government initiative delivered by Free TV Australia, providing broadcasters across the Pacific and Timor-Leste with free access to Australian television programming. The launch coincides with RTTL’s broadcast of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup — bringing elite women’s football to audiences across Timor-Leste and the Pacific, and marking a milestone in Australia’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy.

Free TV CEO, Bridget Fair, said: “Free TV was proud to deliver the PacificAus TV initiative as a key component of Australia’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, extending its reach to Timor-Leste.

“Through trusted local partners like RTTL, PacificAus TV can deliver world-class content for free to communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. What better way to launch than with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup — a celebration of women’s football that speaks directly to communities across the region. We look forward to building on this foundation and deepening cultural ties with Timor-Leste through quality Australian programming.”

The State Secretary for Social Communications in Timor-Leste, His Excellency Expedito Dias Ximenes, also welcomed the partnership.

“Through this collaboration with PacificAus TV, we strengthen cultural and media ties between Timor-Leste and the region, while supporting the visibility and development of women’s football across Asia,” he said.

The President of the Board of Directors of Rádio e Televisão de Timor-Leste (RTTL), Rosario da Graça Maia, thanked the Australian Government and PacificAus TV for their continued support and partnership in strengthening public broadcasting in Timor-Leste.

“The launch of PacificAus TV through RTTL marks a significant step in expanding the quality and diversity of content available to our audiences. By broadcasting major international events such as the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, RTTL continues to fulfil its public service mission to inform, educate, and inspire, while promoting values of equality, excellence, and regional cooperation.”