The National Television Service (NTS) is a free-to-air state-owned television channel launched in September 2008 in Papua New Guinea."PNG launches state-owned TV channel", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 17 September 2008 Originally, it was known as Kundu 2 (after the drum) and competes against EM TV, owned by Media Niugini Limited (Telikom PNG), which was the country's only free-to-air television service until 2008. Since 2015, the channel broadcasts at a national scale under the name NBC Television.

History The National Broadcasting Corporation was interested in opening a television channel as early as 1978, offering an educational line-up,Meacham L., Holloway, Planning PNG TV programs, Pacific Islands Communication Newsletter, April 1978, Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 3 but one of the three sub-committees was against the introduction of television.No for television, Asian Mass Communication Bulletin, June 1978, Vol. 8, No. 2, p. 2 Subsequently, television began in 1987 when two television stations opened subsequently in Port Moresby (NTN and EM TV). NTN lasted little more than a year when financial constraints caused by the US stock market crash late in 1987, while EM TV took advantage of the situation and formed a monopoly for 20 years.

In 2008, Peter Aitsi of Transparency International PNG and owner of radio stations in the country, said that there was already a market for two national channels. The channel started broadcasting on 16 September 2008, during the 33rd Independence Day of Papua New Guinea.PNG to get second television channel during 33rd independence day celebrations, Radio New Zealand, 15 September 2008, retrieved 6 October 2026 At launch, NTS broadcast for two hours every evening. Its programmes include news, documentaries and other educational programmes. The network initially ran in some built up areas of PNG but remote areas and minor centres still could not find the station.

As of 2009, Kundu 2 is on air in Port Moresby, Lae, Wewak, Madang, Rabaul, Goroka and Mount Hagen. The National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea is expanding the stations broadcast footprint to eventually cover all areas of the country. Kundu 2 is beginning another period of growth as it comes to the end of its first year of existence.

Kundu 2 currently provides a live telecast of the PNGRFL (BeMobile Cup) and made history with the first instant replay of local sports coverage in PNG's history, on 21 June 2009.

On 1 June 2010, NBC appointed Joe Wafewa as its executive director; he was acting director with the channel since launch in 2008.New boss for Kundu 2, The National, 2 June 2010, retrieved 6 October 2026 On 17 July 2010, Kundu 2 launched in Aitape, twelve years after the tsunami..Kundu 2 launched in Aitape, The National, 20 July 2010, retrieved 6 October 2026 On 6 June 2012, it launched in Pangia.Pangia connected to outside world, The National, 6 June 2012, retrieved 6 October 2026

In July 2013, NBC announced a plan to roll-out NBC at a national scale, pending government approval of a submission. Nine million kina were granted for installing infrastructure.Kundu 2 signal to go nationwide, The National, 22 July 2013, retrieved 6 October 2026 It carried the entirety of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in cooperation with Australian rights holder SBS.Kundu 2 Clicks into gear for event, The National, 13 June 2014, retrieved 6 October 2026

Wheels of Change first aired on Kundu 2 in July 2013 and focuses on people with disabilities. Initially, the programme only focused on such people in Port Moresby, but announced an expansion for the 2015 series to cater other cities.TV programme plans expansion to centres, The National, 7 January 2015, retrieved 6 October 2026

In October 2015, Kundu 2 was renamed NBC Television.NBC finally comes of age, The National, 19 October 2015, retrieved 6 October 2026 In March 2016, NBC TV launched on Click TV, reaching rural areas.TV stations to provide coverage to rural areas, The National, 31 March 2016, retrieved 6 October 2026 Sign language was added to the news in late 2016, costing 20,000 kina.Sign language used on TV, The National, 29 November 2016, retrieved 6 October 2026 The channel was available free to all DigicelPLAY users even without a subscription, but became a subscription-only channel in late 2019.Make TV stations free for viewing, The National, 6 December 2019, retrieved 6 October 2026

At 6pm on 16 December 2024, NBC started digital terrestrial broadcasts.NBC officially commissioned analog to digital transition, NBC PNG, 17 December 2024, retrieved 6 October 2026 In January 2026, it was awarded the exclusive right to broadcast the Betfred Super League, and sublicensed rights to New Zealand and Pacific territories.NBC awarded broadcast right, 20 January 2026, retrieved 6 October 2026

References

External links

Sir Michael Somare, Prime Minister, on the launch of the NTS (audio recording provided by ABC Radio Australia)