On Wednesday night, July 21, local residents of the island of Aitutaki (Cook Islands) were able to watch free-to-air Hope Channel on their television screens for the first time.
“After many months of searching for solutions, trials and set-backs, it finally happened,” explains Hope Channel New Zealand manager Ole Pedersen. “Working together with a local who has the infrastructure and desire to see Hope Channel broadcast all over the island, a partnership was established and has now resulted in Hope Channel being broadcast 24/7, free-to-air across all the island.”
Hope Channel has historically been available on the country’s paid network Moana TV, however only about 40 per cent of Aitutaki had a subscription. Now, every household with a television can watch programs that share the love of Jesus.
Programming is done by the team at Hope Channel NZ and sent across to the playout server on Raratonga. From there, it is broadcast across Raratonga and then sent via fibre cable to a separate playout server on Aitutaki.
Cook Islands Mission president Pastor Eric Toleafoa is grateful to Hope Channel New Zealand for making the channel readily available, stating in an email, “Praise the Lord! Thanks again Ole and support team for your part in making this happen for the island of Aitutaki.”
“Please pray that this will continue to bless the people on Aitutaki, and that many will be touched by God’s grace as they watch Hope Channel,” said Mr Pedersen.
