Online service TVNZ ondemand goes live today

TVNZ's new online service – TVNZ ondemand – goes live today.

The new service is offering an initial selection of about 300 videos from 100 shows – ranging from catch ups on Shortland St and News and Current Affairs programmes to highlights of New Zealand history.

There'll be a mix of streamed clips and downloadable shows – some free, some to be paid for using a credit card purchasing system that gives a bank of 'PlayPoints'.

Among the shows on offer are New Zealand dramas Rude Awakenings and Karaoke High, which made a successful debut online last year in advance of screening on TV2. Others among the diverse programmes to feature are Fair Go, Agenda, Eating Media Lunch, Praise Be, Treasure Island and Mai Time.

Famous – and infamous – shows and clips from the TVNZ Archives will be on offer free of charge, in line with company strategy which promotes enhanced public value.

Among them is a 10 minute clip of NZBC coverage of the Wahine disaster, the final 1977 edition of Top Town, the notorious 1976 confrontation between newsman Simon Walker and the then Prime Minister Rob Muldoon, Radio with Pictures clips of the eighties Rock music scene, and the programme These New Zealanders, featuring Kiwis from small towns around the country.

TVNZ's move into viewer-selected TV on the PC is a first for New Zealand. Chief Executive Rick Ellis describes TVNZ ondemand as tangible evidence of TVNZ's determination to provide all New Zealanders with the benefits of the digital age, and to make top quality content available on every screen.

"This is how we are going to demonstrate both commercial and public value", he says.

Initial user reviews of the site have been positive, and it's expected to grow in popularity as new features are developed and negotiations over programme rights are concluded allowing more local and international content to be added. Viewer numbers are expected to rise as New Zealand's broadband infrastructure is developed, allowing faster download and viewing speeds.

Phase 2 of the site's development, which will proceed by stages over the next 4 months, will incorporate features like 'pre-emptive downloading', which will allow viewers to pre-select material for automatic download overnight. There will also be a 'recommended viewing' feature, which will select likely programmes of interest based on assessment of the range of material already chosen by the individual viewer.

And there will be interactive features designed to build an online community, such as 'rating' favourite material, blog sites and a user-generated content area.

Rick Ellis says the launch of TVNZ ondemand is a great initiative for the independent production industry in New Zealand.

"We have had excellent support from leaders in the field like Julie Christie and John Barnett, who understand that this will give their productions the widest possible exposure. I believe they are very clear about the potential of TVNZ's new five year strategic plan, 'Inspiring New Zealanders on every screen'".

ENDS

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