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“I look forward to Korea-Fiji broadcast exchange”

The Korean Wave, in terms of TV program content, has already reached the island nations of the Pacific. Tarun Patel, CEO of Fiji TV, a representative broadcast network of the Pacific region that transmits programming to 14 countries, visited Korea to discuss possible exchange activities with notable figures of Korea’s broadcast sector.

With this being your first visit, what aspects of Korea have made an impression on you?
I feel Korea is not just one of many Asian countries but a special country with an original culture and its own tradition, and people with a great personality. During my visit, I toured Korea’s ancient cities and historical relics, and had a chance to experience Korean culture and food. I can say that my first meeting with Korea has indeed been very interesting and thrilling.

What matters did you focus your attention on during your stay?
I was most curious about how Korea was preparing for the future of its broadcasting industry. I took a close look at how broadcast groups produced program content in such areas as dramas and sports, in which there is high viewership interest. Another area that attracted my keen interest was how viewer behavior is being changed due to the launch of the digital broadcasting era. Terrestrial TV transmission is no longer the only medium for the viewing of content produced by broadcast companies as content distribution channels have been diversified thanks to the emergence of the Internet and mobile communications. It is important for me to find out and learn about the methods and strategy that may be suitable for our situation in the future. And of course, I am very much interested in technology as well since the satellite broadcasting of the Fiji TV network is digitally transmitted and received through set-top boxes.

What highlights of Fiji TV did you describe to the broadcast people in Korea?
I explained what the broadcaster Fiji TV was about and what role it played within the Pacific region. I also discussed various opportunities for content and technology exchange. Many people showed interest in the fact that Fiji TV broadcasts to a total of 14 countries in the Pacific. I can say this played a key role in concluding a memorandum of understanding with Korea’s Arirang TV. Currently, Arirang TV programs can be seen in 188 countries around the world. So with the conclusion of the agreement with Fiji TV, it can now include an additional 14 countries on its list of global viewers.

Give us an overview of the activities and role of Fiji TV in the Pacific region.
Fiji TV has been operating as a public broadcast network since 1996. It is the only television network in the Pacific region that covers such a large area. As a representative broadcasting company of the Pacific region, we are very much interested in conducting content and technology exchange with broadcast groups in Asia-Pacific. In addition, as a member of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), we discuss exchange projects with other ABU members at the annual meetings. In doing so, we intend to provide the audiences in our region with a broad range of information and cultural experiences. Fiji TV has adopted a sea turtle logo because we aspire to be like the Pacific sea turtle that is known for its cleverness, extended longevity, and adaptability to a wide range of habitats.

Does your vast broadcast area, including remote islands, any problems for Fiji TV?
Terrestrial broadcasts can reach about 85 percent of our coverage zone. But there is clearly a limit since the islands are scattered over such a large area. Satellite broadcast is used to cover the remaining 15 percent, where terrestrial broadcasting is difficult. We are proud that viewers on every island of not only Fiji but all of the islands of 14 countries in the Pacific can view our programming. You could hardly find any TVs on a considerable number of islands in our region just five years ago. But today, broadcast service is provided even to such places. We have realized these achievements for the public’s interest and without financial assistance from the government. We also pay much attention to the promotion of public interest in the content and our production of programs.



We understand that Korean TV programs have been popular among viewers in Fiji.
“Jewel in the Palace” (Daejanggeum) and two other Korean television dramas have already been aired. Currently, “Brilliant Legacy” is being broadcast. Korean TV dramas are now especially popular. If a drama episode is not aired as scheduled due to a power outage for example, phone calls will pour in demanding a re-showing. It has been found that Korea’s beautiful culture, as revealed in Koreans’ passion, romance, and attire in the TV dramas, has made a deep impression on the people of Fiji.

As for broadcast exchange between Korea and Fiji, what areas are you most interested in?
I think there are many things that both of us can learn from each other through active bilateral broadcast exchange. Especially, there will be great benefits in terms of cultural aspects. I believe there will be many positive effects on our two peoples, intellectually and culturally, such as human-centered values to be d in the process of respecting and understanding the diversity of different cultures.
In terms of technology, there are far more things for Fiji to learn from Korea. As I mentioned earlier, the broadcast sector in Fiji is very much interested in how Korea’s broadcasting companies take advantage of changes in the digital era. We will closely observe how next-generation technology, such as IPTV, mobile technology, and 3D broadcasting, will be implemented. We have a rather small population of viewers and insufficient capital. Therefore, we will first watch what technology is applied and see if it is successful in Korea, and then we will learn to adopt such technology.

Finally, as the leader of the broadcast industry in Fiji, what efforts do you intend to focus on?
First of all, I am so pleased to have this opportunity to visit Korea and meet with the leaders of your broadcast industry. I would like to express my appreciation to the Korea Foundation in this regard. I am also grateful to the Korean Ambassador to Fiji for recommending this visit for Fiji TV. I intend to further develop relations with major broadcasting companies of Korea, like our agreement with Arirang TV that I concluded during my stay in Korea. I hope to receive diverse broadcast content from Korea, on one hand, and to have an opportunity to introduce our programs to Korean audiences to show the unique life of the Pacific region, on the other hand.

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