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KVZK-TV upgrade to digital system underway

KVZK news opening shot
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Office of Public Information (OPI), which operates state-run KVZK-TV, had contracted — during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 — the services of New Zealand-based Melanesia Media Group (MMG), to upgrade KVZK's broadcast system from analogue to digital format.

This is according to OPI’s accomplishments in 2021 cited in the Governor’s State of the Territory Comprehensive Report distributed to lawmakers on Monday, during the Joint Session of the Fono.

The report says that the new system would place KVZK TV on par with current public broadcasting agencies modernizing equipment and workflow, which will provide high quality definition to all viewers.

The project costs $353,515 but the report didn’t explain the funding source. It does say that to date, 75% of the project is complete and is projected to be completed this month.

The project includes configuration of old DVD players and DV-cams, installation of a new master control with new equipment, bidirectional SDI/HDMI switch, and playout/ingest servers.

Upon completion of the project, the territory’s public broadcaster will operate on modernized technology, with trained employees, and updated workflows.

“As a result, this will eliminate the grainy pixelated picture and play out high-definition picture for local and off island viewers to enjoy and benefit in understanding and better cultivate the information from each locally produced program,” according to the report, which notes that KVZK-TV have taken its programs to social media.

KVZK News and other special events streamed on its Facebook page, have garnered viewers from the U.S and other countries with people posting messages. There are several times that the station’s live broadcasts are also streamed live on both Facebook and YouTube.