ABC signs MOU and launches ABC Australian Broadcasting Unit – ABU in Tuvalu

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has launched ABC Radio Australia on FM radio in Tuvalu for the first time.

This marks another milestone in the network’s expansion into the Pacific. Tuvalu viewers can now listen to ABC Radio Australia’s full suite of Pacific-focused news, music, sport and cultural programming on 102FM.

The ABC has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation (TVBC). The MOU supports future opportunities for the ABC and TVBC to share technical expertise and content, and recognises the role each organisation plays in delivering public service broadcasting to its national audience.

ABC and TVBC signed a memorandum of understanding and celebrated the historic launch of the new service at a ceremony in Funafuti, Tuvalu.

Claire M. Gorman, ABC Head of International, who co-hosted the ceremony, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the launch of ABC Radio Australia in Tuvalu, in partnership with TVBC, and welcome everyone to enjoy this new FM radio service. This Memorandum of Understanding between the ABC and TVBC also marks an important milestone in our partnership, and I look forward to future opportunities to work together to support audiences in Tuvalu and Australia.”

TVBC General Manager Yvette D’Unienville Isaac, who also co-hosted the ceremony, said: “We welcome the new ABC Radio Australia FM service with open arms and are delighted to formalise the excellent relationship between TVBC and the ABC. We hope that the new MOU will facilitate the exchange of cross-cultural ideas and information and deepen the ties and friendship between our two countries.”

ABC Radio Australia recently expanded its FM broadcast coverage to Nauru, Palau, Pohnpei (Federated States of Micronesia), Kokopo (Papua New Guinea) and Gizo (Solomon Islands), with plans to launch FM broadcasts in more new territories in the coming months, including Kiribati, the Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands, Lorengau in Papua New Guinea and Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.