Telikom PNG now owns 100 percent of Media Niugini Limited (MNL) and television station EMTV.
This was announced in Port Moresby today by Telikom PNG Board chairman Mahesh Patel.
The acquisition of MNL is a strategic investment decision by the Telikom Board to ensure the company is positioned well in a highly evolving and dynamic market.
Patel said EMTV’s strategic objectives are closely aligned with Telikom and they are in a strong financial position to recapitalise MNL to expand coverage across PNG.
This also gives the opportunity to transition from analogue to digital technology platforms and to develop more local content.
“Over 60 percent of content aired on EMTV is produced locally and that is something we are proud of.
“Telikom towers can now be used to expand EMTV coverage to parts of PNG that could not be viable in the past allowing people in remote areas to access television,” said Patel.
Telikom and MNL now have a workforce with skill sets and capabilities which allow both companies to source and share resources without the need to out-source.
Huge emphasis will be placed on training and developing local staff.
EMTV has an exciting year ahead, having secured rights to exclusively broadcast the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in August and the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in November.