TAIPEI (PTS)－PTS’s outreach to the world begins with a bang – beginning on October 4,Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation is to launch PTS WORLD TAIWAN, an English video streaming platform on YouTube that offers an incredible variety of programming services to audiences across the world, and other social media outlets. This media service will allow Taiwan’s community voices to be heard by a non-Chinese-speaking international audience, and spotlight Taiwan on a global center stage.
“PTS WORLD TAIWAN” was an idea being pitched numerous times during routine board meetings. At long last, the platform is to launch at the blessing of the Board of Directors to expand PTS’s international reach. Taking full advantage of new media capabilities, PTS will unveil “PTS WORLD TAIWAN” on YouTube to serve English-speakers living in Taiwan and overseas, making it an easily accessible portal to connect viewers around the world. PTS English News will also air on PTS WORLD TAIWAN as a daily broadcast service. What’s more, news broadcasts in Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese are available to serve new immigrants in Taiwan, keeping them abreast of top national stories and latest headlines.
More than 100 hours-worth of drama, documentaries, news, programs created for children and youth, and productions with a lifestyle and wellbeing focus will be aired when the platform is first unveiled on PTS WORLD TAIWAN. And here’s a quick look at some of the most acclaimed programs to come to the platform -SEQALU: Formosa 1867, a PTS Epic Series, backdropped against a sprawling canvas of the 19th century as a web of love and hate, greed and pride, ambition and revenge unravels; and Gold Leaf, an intriguing serial saga inspired by true events taken place in Taiwan of the 50’s. For those wanting to explore Taiwan’s vibrant culture, small-town charms, and wonderful people that make the island one of the most livable countries in the world, be sure to tune into Slow Travel Adventures, and See You at the Market – both are winners of the Golden Bell Awards in the “Best Lifestyle Program” category.
Other equally exciting first-batch productions to be aired on PTS WORLD TAIWAN are: The Coming Through, a drama series as well as a Golden Bell winner; Lucky Draw, a PTS original; The Eternal Farm Villages, a 4K documentary that curated the footages taken in multiple countries with an environmental focus; Fruity Pie, a PTS educational program designed for children; and The Small Big, a Best Immersive VR for The Small Big Micro Vision at the Asian Academy Creative Awards during the Singapore Media Festival, plus PTS’s own reality television series, “Guess Who?” which puts the tidbits of family living front-and-center.
Internationally-celebrated filmmaker, also a longstanding partner of PTS, Tsai Ming-liang, along with famed documentarist Liu Soung, are invited to the launch of PTS WORLD TAIWAN. In addition, award-winning actress Yang Guei-mei, and James Wen – popular protagonist of Gold Leaf and Tears on Fire, along with the beloved Granny Fruity Pie, host of Fruity Pie, will grace the event to round out this star-studded press event.
Sunh Arunrugstichai, Deputy Executive of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office; Murashima Ikuyo, head of Cultural Affairs and Public Relations Department of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association; Martin Laflamme, Director of General Relations at the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei; and Nicolas Rouilleault with the French Office in Taipei, and Sandy Chen, head of YouTube Large Partnerships in Greater China will also be in attendance.
PTS Chairperson, Tchen Yu-Chiou, cites delightful landscapes, rich cultures and vibrant community experience as some of the greatest gifts that Taiwan has to offer. The island country was acknowledged as having the world’s most vaunted pandemic control during the COVID outbreak. And the Chairperson cites her “diamond analogy,” noting with confidence that “The whole of Taiwan can be likened to the finest diamond: every facet glitters.” Her greatest hope is to dazzle the international community with “Tai-WANderful” on “PTS WORLD TAIWAN.”
Since its launch 23 years ago, PTS Taiwan has become one of the most recognizable faces in international media awards, its programming excellence has brought home the following accolades: one of the George Foster Peabody Awards, an NHK Japan Prize, one of the Rockie Awards during the Banff World Media Festival, and Mecenat Award during the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). PTS Taiwan’s productions have also earned nominations in the Cannes, Berlinale and Venice Film Festival. To that end, PTS Taiwan is committed to creating quality programming for film events around the world to ensure more international exchange. Bilingual program subtitling thus became a PTS WORLD TAIWAN trademark. Meanwhile, SRT subtitling solutions enable non-English speaking audiences throughout the world to get on YouTube, and enjoy PTS Taiwan’s programs in their own languages, therefore giving the shows a multilingual perspective, while offering the audiences a window on Taiwan’s cultural sights and sounds.
Themed productions are being curated for special features to spotlight local issues in Taiwan on a monthly basis. In the future, destination tours and travel programs across the island will be developed and streamed around-the-clock, as English content editors of the platform bring Taiwan to the world through meaningful interactions. On top of which, PTS WORLD TAIWAN will also engage the audience on Instagram and Twitter to explore current global affairs, and inspire the viewers in Taiwan to enjoy constructive discussions with people from around the world.
PTS WORLD TAIWAN is excited to bring its repertoire of quality programs built over the years to audiences across the globe. It also hopes that the broadcast platform would lead to overseas sale and licensing of its quality programs, and strong partnerships with other public television services to catalyze more productive contribution to the international community.
