TBC was the first and largest broadcasting station in Tonga, solely owned by the government of Tonga

TBC is the national broadcaster for the Kingdom of Tonga, an archipelago scattered over 700,000 square kilometres of the South Pacific. The Commission runs two television channels and two radio stations, and although it is government-owned, a significant source of revenue derives from in-house commercial advertising. The broadcaster is a long-term member of the Public Media Alliance.

TBC-TongaTBC started life as a radio station in 1961, and public TV broadcasting didn’t begin until much later. Television Tonga 1 was founded by King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV in 2000 and now broadcasts across Tongatapu, ‘Eua and other closely surrounding islands, such as Pangaimotu and ‘Atata, with some content with overseas broadcasters. In 2008 Television Tonga 2 was launched, offering a domestic service.

Radio Tonga 1 (also known as A3Z) is the most far-reaching of all Radio Tonga’s services, and covers the whole of Tonga and also streams live to the internet 24 hours a day. Radio Tonga 2 (formerly known as FM97) is a commercial station running 24 hours a day. The Commission also operates FM 103, a 24-hour Radio Australia relay.

In 2009 the Public Media Alliance (then known as the CBA) held its regional conference ‘Broadcasting for a Better Tomorrow’ in Tonga. Over 100 people from across the Pacific region and the Commonwealth attended. Tonga was selected as a pilot country for digital transition in the Pacific, with the final transition date set for next year.

The vision of TBC is to remain as the best national public broadcaster in Tonga through the services of Radio and TV Tonga.

TBC is run by General Manager Nanise Fifita. She is also a highly respected member of the Public Media Alliance board.

Membership: Full member

Region: Pacific

Year established: 1961

Funding source: The sale of airtime space and electronic goods. Commercials.

Web address: http://www.tonga-broadcasting.net

Ownership: Government of Tonga