TVNZ Support to Pacific Broadcasters to Continue

19th May, 2006

TVNZ Programming Assured for South Pacific Broadcasters

An announcement in the New Zealand budget on May 19 ensures Pacific Island countries will continue to receive TVNZ television programmes by satellite.

The Minister of Broadcasting, Steve Maharey, has confirmed that the budget includes funding for a further four years, helping strengthen the important linkages between New Zealand and the Pacific Island communities.

The Pacific Service is provided by TVNZ and is free of charge to Pacific broadcasters. It began last year after the New Zealand Government announced it would fund the distribution of programmes by satellite because commercial pricing would put the content beyond the reach of most countries.

TV ONE's news programming is received via satellite by twelve broadcasters in the Islands each evening while Tagata Pasifika is broadcast weekly. Additional content, like coverage of the Commonwealth Games, Rugby 7s and Netball is also distributed.

Digital broadcaster, TVNZ welcomes the budget announcement saying the New Zealand Government's continuing support through the Ministers of Broadcasting and Foreign Affairs means the service can now be expanded to the benefit of broadcasters throughout the Pacific.