PBS prepares for digitisation of archives

The current set up of the PBS archives were viewed by the public in an open day today, just before they start being dismantled to make way for the new digitisation project.

PBS is currently in possession of more than 100,000 hours of legacy footage dating back to 1960 consisting of reels and tapes of various formats stacked on shelves and left to degrade slowly.

This is in the footsteps of other major European broadcasters who sought to preserve their audio-visual heritage for the future generations.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said the project was making way to new technologies for PBS to take a leap forward in the sector. “Through this project, PBS seeks to digitise and conserve the archived footage and make such content available to the public, having both an educational and informative role.” PBS plans to make use of the potential of our archives to contribute towards a Maltese cultural tourism experience by putting up links at Malta’s tourist sites, monuments, streets, gardens and other areas of interest. This project will be mainly financed through European Funds and will cost €4.5 million. It is set to start in January and will coincide with V18.

The first products will...