WALU-TV

Last updated

WALU-TV
Channels
BrandingWalu Television
Ownership
OwnerWestern Pacific Communications
History
First air date
1976;49 years ago (1976)
Last air date
1993;32 years ago (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]

Contents

History

WALU-TV was set up in 1976 (some sources say 1974), [3] 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]

By the 2000s, a subscription television company called STV was operating from a 0.1 kW transmitter in Ngermid on the frequency formerly housed by WALU. The station was manned by Ray Omelen. [4]

Notable staff

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bentley, J. E.; Schultz, A.; Hermanson, Dale (September 1993). "Pacific Regional Television Survey Project – 352lRASl21 (PAC TEL)". UNESCO. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Foreign influences, local choices: the social impact of television in Micronesia". Pacific Islands Communication Journal. 1993. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Pacific Islands Television Survey Report 2002". UNESCO. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 4, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  4. ↑ 2005 World Radio and Television Handbook, page 658
  5. ↑ "The senate directory: 8". Pacific Digital Library. Archived from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  6. ↑ "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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