Gov. Togiola Tulafono praised the efforts of everyone involved in bringing live CBS television programming to American Samoa with the first big benefit, yesterday’s live Super Bowl game with commercials intact.
Togiola says Moana TV’s channel 29 is now back on the air providing live programming from CBS’ affiliate in Honolulu KGMB and this was the outcome of the diligent work and arrangement following meetings between KGMB, KVZK and Moana TV management.
(Ch:29 went on the air on Thursday).
The Governor said it’s hopeful that this arrangement will bring better viewing for local residents. “It’s nice to see everyone work together,” he said on his weekend radio program.
Responding to Samoa News inquiries, KVZK-TV engineer David Musick said on Saturday that the live KGMB feed from Honolulu is being broadcast on KVZK digital stream 2.2.
He explained that the broadcast is received by Moana TV and seen on Moana TV channel 29 and this arrangement comes about from an agreement by all parties involved: CBS, KGMB, KVZK, BlueSky Communications, and Moana TV.
“The high quality digital signal originates directly at KGMB and is delivered through the undersea fiber optic cable directly to KVZK, with BlueSky Communications enabling the door to door delivery of the signal,” Musick explains.
(Last month, the Governor said use of the fiber optic cable is free of charge, adding that the government is a partner of this cable project, called the American Samoa Hawaii Cable.)
Musick extend his many thanks to the Governor, Elizabeth Tokarz of CBS Affiliate Relations, Paolo Sivia Sivia, Director of KVZK TV, Rick Blangiardi, President and General Manager KGMB TV, Adolfo Montenegro, President and CEO of BlueSky Communications and Moana TV, and to all the hardworking behind the scenes engineers and technicians who helped make this undertaking a reality!
Musick said one of the first benefits of this advancement was yesterday’s Super Bowl, which for the first time in the territory, “seen in full broadcast quality, with all commercials intact.”
“It is also hoped that this arrangement provides the inspiration to further advances in bringing more live network programs to all viewers,” he added.
MORE PEOPLE HIRED FOR TEMPORARY JOBS
More people have been hired under the National Emergency Grant program, which provides temporary jobs to assist with debris clean up, recovery, restoration and humanitarian efforts as a result of the September disasters.
As of the last day of January, the number of temporary workers hired was at 1,399. On his weekend radio program, Gov. Togiola Tulafono announced that the number of temporary workers recruited as of last Friday had reached 1,446.
While the jobs are not permanent, Togiola said at least it provides employment for residents to help their families short-term, while a permanent solution is being sought by the government.
Togiola said the Governor’s Authorized Representative Evelyn Vaitautolu Langford is still working on getting people who have already applied, to be hired and place at authorized worksites.
So far 45 worksites— 15 under ASG and the rest for the private sector and non-profit organizations— have been approved and 15 sites are still pending, the Governor explained.
The government again stressed over the weekend that all current worksites must be in compliance with the worksite agreements; all temporary workers must comply with the duties and responsibilities assigned to them.
