NZ On Air approves $400k regional television funding

NZ On Air approves $400k regional television funding application

On Thursday, NZ On Air announced that CTV, Star Media’s regional television channel, will receive $400,000 of its $1.3m regional television fund. The company will receive $160,000 more than its 2014/2015 funding allocation.

The successful application means Star Media can continue to invest in content for its weekday local news bulletin CTV News. The funding will provide resource to develop a more integrated newsroom, seeing journalists produce stories for newspapers, broadcast and online. CTV News will cover Kaikoura to South Canterbury and west to Arthur’s Pass, as well as Christchurch’s city news.

“We’re dedicated to developing our news coverage of Christchurch and greater Canterbury, and changing the way we distribute that news to the public. Whether it’s by broadcast, radio, print, website or social media channels, we need to make sure we reach people,” Star Media Chief Executive Pier Smulders says.

“It&rsq uo;s gre at to see that NZ On Air values CTV’s contribution to Canterbury communities and its existing connection with a substantial Canterbury audience. This funding will allow us to reach more people and provide interesting and important news coverage in a time when local news is increasingly important to people,” CTV’s General Manager and Star Media Director Charlotte Smulders adds.
The Smulders are proud of what the CTV News team has achieved so far and look forward to the opportunities of 2016 and 2017.

“We’d like to thank NZ On Air for their support. It’s a real show of confidence in CTV and the multimedia plans we have for this year,” Charlotte Smulders says.

Star Media was one of four successful applicants, joining Allied Press’s Channel 39 as one of two NZ On Air funded regional stations in the South Island. CTV’s new services will be up and running by 1 September 2016.

ENDS

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