Kiwi Music To Feature On TV2

Music fans will soon be losing a lot of sleep thanks to TV2. In September, TV2 is launching M2 - a late-night refuge for music fans that will complement their weekend lifestyle. Produced by Satellite Pictures with funding from NZ On Air, M2 will be a channel within a channel broadcasting midnight to dawn every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Presented by six, fresh, talented young hosts, M2's schedule will be divided into distinct music genres consistent with the tastes of TV2's core audience. Kicking off with upbeat tunes, the evening will be programmed to follow the distinct moods of your average young music fan's night, starting full-on and finishing with chill-out beats for an early morning come-down.

M2 is a tangible way for TV2 to deliver on the government's broadcasting charter by screening great New Zealand music to an eager audience, says Stephen Smith, General Manager of TV2.

"TV2 is a network devoted to delivering the best in contemporary entertainment and music for its viewers and M2 is an exciting new addition to the schedule. It's a significant investment for us and is a great opportunity to showcase the best music from New Zealand and the world."

Thanks to on-going support from NZ On Air, M2 will combine world-class production values seamlessly with world-class Kiwi music. The self-imposed New Zealand music content for the new show is 33% which is consistent with NZ On Air's Phase Four New Zealand music plan to encourage more Kiwi music on radio by actively promoting Kiwi music on television.

"Television has the potential to greatly improve the prospects for getting more New Zealand music on the radio because music television helps create hits and hits are what radio stations play," explains NZ On Air Chief Executive Jo Tyndall.

"It is imperative that we get more New Zealand music back on television. Long term, we need a full-time music channel that plays free-to-air to as many New Zealanders as possible. Under the 'Phase Four' plan we are investing $400,000 in M2 to help give us the music channel we need. M2 is the start. It's bold, brave and very exciting.

"It will increase the free-to-air hours of music television available nationally more than threefold, from about seven hours a week at the moment to more than 25 hours. It's hard to beat the M2 project because it will reach 99.5% of the population with a healthy chunk of free-to-air Kiwi music."

Produced by Satellite Pictures, M2 continues the company's commitment to local music, building on the success of its already established shows Squeeze and Space.

"M2 is confirmation of TV2 and NZ On Air's support of Kiwi music and a fantastic opportunity for Satellite Pictures to be involved in the amazing and continuing growth of the local music industry and fresh television talent," says Satellite Pictures Managing Director David Rose.

"It's a chance to start from scratch and develop a full-scale local music and entertainment identity."

An interactive website will work in tandem with the on-air broadcast to bring viewers into TV2's online community, providing a true "two screen" experience.

M2 begins mid September from midnight to 6am, from Thursday to Saturday on TV2.

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