WALU-TV
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| Channels | |
|---|---|
| Branding | Walu Television |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Western Pacific Communications |
| History | |
First air date | 1976 |
Last air date | 1993 |
Call sign meaning | Palau |
| Technical information | |
| ERP | 0.1 kW |
WALU-TV (also styled Walu Television in some sources[1]) was Palau's first television station. Broadcasting on channel 7, it was available over the air but was encrypted. The station was owned by Western Pacific Communications.[2]
History
WALU-TV was set up in 1976, with the licensing of two transmitters, one to be used by WALU and the other by a cable TV system broadcasting Japanese programs that ended in 1978. As of 1990, the owner of the station was a Palauan businessman, who was also a senator.[1]
All of its programming throughout most of its existence came from videotapes flown in from Hawaii. For a brief period in its existence (1980–1981) a local newscast existed, but was discontinued when some of its staff resigned due to apparent salary disputes.
WALU-TV used a 100-watt transmitter delivering videotaped American programs. Subscribers were charged a monthly fee of US$15 to receive the programs. The signal was descrambled with a decoder, which in case of non-payment, could be deactivated and sent to WALU-TV's studios. The station's coverage area primarily targeted the states of Koror and Airai.[1]
Programming in 1990 ran from 3 p.m. to midnight. The first hour consisted of children's programming, namely Sesame Street and some cartoons, followed by regular commercial programming until sign-off.[2]
In 1993, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Since then, television was only delivered by cable—a company called Island Cable Television was set up in 1990.[3]
Notable staff
References
- ^ a b c Bentley, J.E.; Schultz, A.; Hermanson, Dale (September 1993). "PACIFIC REGIONAL TELEVISION SURVEY PROJECT – 352lRASl21 (PAC TEL)". UNESCO. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "Foreign influences, local choices: the social impact of television in Micronesia" (PDF). Pacific Islands Communication Journal. 1993. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ "PACIFIC ISLANDS TELEVISION SURVEY REPORT 2002" (PDF). UNESCO. Retrieved May 6, 2020. Archived January 4, 2016, at Archive-It
- ^ "The senate directory: 8". Pacific Digital Library. Archived from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "Glimpses into Pacific Lives: Some Outstanding Women (Revised)" (PDF). Education Resources Information Center. February 1987. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
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