13 Feb 2008

Deal on sale of Samoa's public broadcaster almost complete

2:33 pm on 13 February 2008

Samoa Quality Broadcasting is set to purchase Samoa Broadcasting Corporation's television station and its two radio stations at a cost of more than 1 million US dollars.

A source at the Ministry of Finance says the Government is now waiting for the full cost to be paid before handing over the public broadcaster's assets.

The new operator though will be expected to pay a substantial rent for the lands and buildings housing the stations.

The Government is understood to want 20 thousand US dollars a month for this but negotiations are not yet complete.

Meanwhile, redundancy packages for SBC employees have been approved by Cabinet but no money will be paid until the privatization is complete.

Samoa Quality Broadcasting is owned by several senior SBC staff and some local business people.