Jonathan Coleman MP
National Party Broadcasting Spokesman

6 July 2007

Give us the numbers on Freeview

“Steve Maharey should be up front about digital television and tell the public how many New Zealand households have signed up for Freeview,” says national Party Broadcasting spokesman Jonathan Coleman.

"It has now been two months since Freeview was launched, but there is no word on how many people are actually watching it.

"Just as with early childhood education, Mr Maharey won't give a straight answer to a direct question asking how many households have signed up for Freeview, but I bet he's got the numbers at his finger tips."

Dr Coleman says National supports the concept of digital television, but the reality is that New Zealanders will not sign up for Freeview unless there is either compelling content, or an analogue switch off date.

"The reality is that the Minister has never had a strategy for delivering audience numbers to Freeview, and as with the rest of his broadcasting policy, there is a big emphasis on the feel good factor of digital television, but no hard numbers, no targets and no credible plans for achieving them.

"When $105 million of taxpayers’ money has been spent by the Minister on digital television, the public deserves to know what that money is delivering for the country.

"One thing is for sure: if the numbers were good, Mr Maharey would be telling us all about them."

ENDS

© Scoop Media