As reported on the ABU web site, going digital is the best way for a small broadcaster to survive in a competitive media environment, an international conference in Macau heard today.
The advice came from the Director-General of Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, Bijayecoomar Madhou, on the second day of the Asia Media Summit. I advise everyone to take the digital plunge, he said.
He also encouraged small broadcasters to join international broadcasting organisations for the benefits this would bring, including access to important sports rights.
The CEO of Media Niugini, Ken Clark, said there were no secrets to survival as a small broadcaster, other than knowing who you were and where you wanted to go, and taking care of the boring bits the management and accounting details.
He said protecting the copyright on a broadcasters material was also important. Copyright piracy was widespread and would get worse until the problem was addressed.
The Chairman and CEO of Sri Lankas Young Asia Television, Hilmy Ahamed, said survival depended on the ability to reach out to niche markets and find sources of revenue other than the traditional ones.
Dorji Wangchuk, Managing Partner of Bhutans Centennial Radio, said small broadcasters should concentrate on local content and languages, and try to keep up with peoples expectations of an open society.