Tonga's newest media company, BroadCom-TMN Group launched a new FM 88.1 radio station and television production unit on Saturday, September 5 at Ngele'ia.

BroadCom is and operated by Maka Tohi, a former Chief Engineer for the Tonga Broadcasting Commission and wife Katalina, a former Television Tonga Manager who retired from the TBC in May after nearly 30 years service.

FM 88.1, is the fifth FM station in Nuku'alofa and will offer a 24 hours Tongan language service, covering only Tongatapu and 'Eua. News bulletins will be presented both in Tongan and English, while on Sundays, they will be devoted to church programs. Katalina said they hope to extend their coverage nationwide before December.

The BroadCom's staff is headed by former TBC staff, Siaosi Lavaka as the Chief Operation Manager and News Editor; and 'Anolo Manu as Chief Announcer.

Katalina said with regards to television they are buying airtime from Kalafi Moala's Taimi Media Network TV2. "We will not be doing any television news, we will just focus on producing Tongan programs, which will be slotted in the TV2 programs when it is available," she said.

"But we are hoping to get a separate television channel that we can use to broadcast educational programs in the future," she added.

Agreement

Katalina confirmed BroadCom signed an agreement with the Taimi Media Network to lease their radio license for the next five years.

She explained this was because Government had to date not made any official response to their license application, which was lodged in March.

TMN TV2 on the other hand leases airtime from TV Tonga2 to broadcast its news item and other programs running daily from 5:30pm to 11:30pm.

"We are just thankful for Kalafi's assistance because we are up and running, which is the main thing in relation to performing our role as informants of the public ", she said.

The launching of the new media company was conducted by 'Alisi Taumopeau, Tonga's former Minister of Justice.