The Pacific Channel (Samoa) K11UU television station in Vaitogi has been sold to the American Samoa Adventist Media Inc., an entity of the American Samoa District Seventh Day Adventist Church.
The SDA church is naming their new station, Hope Channel.
Bill Hyman who is the owner of the station said there were other interested church organization and private individuals but the SDA is the first one to come through with a payment to secure the deal.
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Hyman declined to name the price of his channel but said the sale will help him recover from a severe financial situation he’s incurred from making a locally produced movie a few years ago.
In Vaitogi today an official ceremony was held to commemorate the deal between the SDA church and Mr. Hyman.
Tipalelupe Tapuai, Managing Director for the American Samoa Adventist Media said their mission is to use Hope Channel to deliver the gospel to every home in American Samoa.
Since 2011 Adventist Media Inc. has been airing programs on Moana TV which is owned by BlueSky.
Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga acknowledged SDA Church’s investment in the station as another means of delivering the gospel to homes in the territory.
He said that when people don’t want to open their doors to the missionaries, television can take the message to the people.
He congratulated the church leaders and members for their efforts to improve the spiritual lives of our people and those around the world.
Donations by several branches of the church off-island were acknowledged at the ceremony.
Hyman says he will continue PCS programming like special sports events and news on his one channel.
But provided there’s sponsorship.
