Programming Variety – The Spice Of Life

21 November 2001

Media Release

If variety is the spice of life, then New Zealanders can look forward to a spicy concoction on television in 2002, with funding from NZ On Air providing a broad spectrum of special interest and educational programming.

More than $4 million has been shared between six special interest projects covering a wide variety of audiences including Asian and Pacific Island peoples, Christians, the gay community, rural and mixed ability communities.

NZ On Air chief executive, Jo Tyndall, said she was pleased with the response by producers and broadcasters after research conducted earlier this year into special interest programming showed some gaps between what the programmes were providing and what the communities and viewing audiences wanted.

“The producers of the special interest programmes have taken note of NZ On Air’s audience research and the programmes for 2002 will have some changes to them, allowing greater reach into their communities,” said Ms Tyndall.

A new addition to the funding mix is No8 Wired, a rural and agribusiness information programme that has screened since late 2000. The top-up support from NZ On Air will allow the show to expand into public good topics and ensure NZ On Air funding reaches another minority audience – the farming and rural community.

“NZ On Air funding will bring a new dimension to this programme from community-driven solutions to delivering rural health initiatives, environmentally friendly farming, to incorporating traditional Maori practices in rural business,” said Ms Tyndall.

No8 Wired will screen on TV3 in the New Year.

The other special interest programmes which have received funding again for 2002, include:
 INSIDE/Out
 Asia Down Under
 QN (previously Queer Nation)
 Tagata Pasifika
 Praise Be

NZ On Air has also given a $200,000 one-off grant as seed funding for a new pilot series of a Saturday morning studio-based education programme called The Knowledge Breakfast.

The show sets out to demonstrate the potential of existing television broadcast, internet, satellite and personal computer technology. It is designed as a vehicle for the continuation and broadening of the debate and discussion stimulated by the recent Knowledge Wave Conference.

All these programmes are to be screened on TV One, except for QN, which will be broadcast on TV2.

ends

For further information:
Jo Tyndall
Chief Executive
NZ On Air
Tel: (04) 382 9524
Mob: (021) 732 100

This media release is available on the Internet, at http://www.nzonair.govt.nz

Funding details:

INSIDE/Out 2002 $996,277
40 x ½ hour
Broadcaster: TV One
Producer: Bryan Williams, Long White Cloud Television

Asia Down Under 2002 $1,004,526
42 x ½ hour
Broadcaster: TV One
Producer: Robin Kingsley-Smith, Asia Vision

QN 2002 $985,842
40 x ½ hour
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: Andrew Whiteside, Livingstone Productions

Tagata Pasifika 2002 $515,221
18 x ½ hour
Broadcaster: TV One
Producer: Stephen Stehlin, TVNZ

Praise Be $622,233
45 x ½ hour + 1 x 1 hour
Broadcaster: TV One
Producer: Ron Pledger, TVNZ Avalon Productions

No8 Wired $100,000
36 x ½ hour
Broadcaster: TV3
Producer: Brett Tompkins, Gibson Group

The Knowledge Breakfast $200,000
Broadcaster: TV One
Producer: Robert Boyd-Bell, e-net Limited

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