{{Short description|Samoan television channel}} {{Infobox television channel | name = TV3 Samoa | logo = | logo_size = | logo_caption = | launch_date = {{start date and age|df=yes|2006|05|25}} | picture_format = 1080i (HDTV) | country = Samoa | owner = Apia Broadcasting Corporation | headquarters = Apia, Samoa | former_names = | area = Samoa<br>Worldwide (via subscription) | sister_channels = | website = https://www.tv3samoa.net }} '''TV3 Samoa''' is a Samoan television station founded in 2006. The station is owned by the Apia Broadcasting Corporation.
==History== The channel started broadcasting in May 2006 covering 60% of Samoa, but planned to increase the reach to 95% and a second channel relaying the Mormon channel BYUtv.<ref>[https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/162212/samoa-gets-another-free-to-air-tv-channel Samoa gets another free to air TV channel]</ref>
Hans Joachim Keil, who underwent surgery overseas since August 2017, sold Apia Broadcasting to Maposua Corey Keil and Nicholas Caffarelli on April 6, 2018. The move made TV3 a sister station to Maposua's existing Radio Polynesia.<ref>[https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/3267 New Owners for TV3]</ref>
In 2023, the channel received funding from Pasifika TV's Pasifika On Air for two series, the two-part ''Pese Samoa'' half-hour documentaries on Samoan music and ''Project Climate'' on the effects of climate change on Samoa. These two aired on Pasifika's member channels on July 20.<ref>[https://pasifikatv.co.nz/pasifika-on-air-pese-samoa/ Pasifika On Air: Pese Samoa]</ref> Its facilities were partly destroyed on September 13, 2023, owing to a lit end of cigarette butt. As consequence, the channel moved to back-up offices in Vaitele.<ref>[https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/497962/cigarette-end-suspected-to-have-sparked-large-fire-in-apia Cigarette end suspected to have sparked large fire in Apia]</ref>
In May 2024, RNZ reported that TV3 had moved its station completely online since it was unable to afford to broadcast traditionally, coupled by the high number of channels in such a small market like Samoa.<ref>{{cite news |title=Samoa's TV3 closes channel and goes fully online |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/516515/samoa-s-tv3-closes-channel-and-goes-fully-online |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=RNZ |date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511170414/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/516515/samoa-s-tv3-closes-channel-and-goes-fully-online |archive-date=11 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> In the next month, however, it had reverted its decision and resumed terrestrial broadcasts. At the time, it had a staff of 18.<ref>{{cite news |title=TV back on digital connection |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/109827 |work=Samoa Observer}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.tv3samoa.net}} * {{Facebook|tv3samoa|TV3-Apia Broadcasting Ltd}}
Category:Television channels and stations established in 2006 Category:Television stations in Samoa Category:Apia