Apsattv
09-05-2008, 11:53 PM
From http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1670842
Posted 31-03-2008 10:40 PM
News and information junkies now have another source to get their fix with TVNZ now broadcasting TVNZ 7 from a second free to air digital television channel.
But some commentators believe it will take a long time to build an audience for the channel because they have to buy set top boxes to see it.
TVNZ 7 offers 10 minutes of news on the hour and 70% of what viewers can see on screen will be locally made content - including replays of programmes shown on TV One.
New shows focus on politics and the media.
"It's having an outlet for all New Zealanders and New Zealand communities to be able to tell their story," TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis says.
Minority programming that usually runs off peak on TV One will play in prime time.
The government has expressed concern about TVNZ playing minority interest programmes at off peak times and that concern was reiterated at the launch.
"We want programmes for minority audiences to be screened at times when audiences are actually watching TV," says Broadcasting Minister Trevor Mallard.
Ellis says the company has to do what is best for the performance of the channels.
The government is providing nearly $80 million over six years for TVNZ's new digital channels.
A set top box is needed to watch the digital channel and so far more than 80,000 have been sold.
"In terms of the content available it is good value but in terms of cost per viewer it's going to be a considerable amount," media commentator Paul Norris says.
The government says the new channel will help remind viewers they need to make the change to digital services as the old analogue system is expected to be switched off within the next decade.
Posted 31-03-2008 10:40 PM
News and information junkies now have another source to get their fix with TVNZ now broadcasting TVNZ 7 from a second free to air digital television channel.
But some commentators believe it will take a long time to build an audience for the channel because they have to buy set top boxes to see it.
TVNZ 7 offers 10 minutes of news on the hour and 70% of what viewers can see on screen will be locally made content - including replays of programmes shown on TV One.
New shows focus on politics and the media.
"It's having an outlet for all New Zealanders and New Zealand communities to be able to tell their story," TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis says.
Minority programming that usually runs off peak on TV One will play in prime time.
The government has expressed concern about TVNZ playing minority interest programmes at off peak times and that concern was reiterated at the launch.
"We want programmes for minority audiences to be screened at times when audiences are actually watching TV," says Broadcasting Minister Trevor Mallard.
Ellis says the company has to do what is best for the performance of the channels.
The government is providing nearly $80 million over six years for TVNZ's new digital channels.
A set top box is needed to watch the digital channel and so far more than 80,000 have been sold.
"In terms of the content available it is good value but in terms of cost per viewer it's going to be a considerable amount," media commentator Paul Norris says.
The government says the new channel will help remind viewers they need to make the change to digital services as the old analogue system is expected to be switched off within the next decade.