TVNZ Assists Wide International Media Coverage of Hillary Funeral

As host broadcaster of the State Funeral of Sir Edmund Hillary, TVNZ wants to maximise the accessibility of the broadcast to all New Zealanders, and to the rest of the world.

In addition to TVNZ's own live broadcast on TV ONE, live streaming on tvnz.co.nz and replay on TVNZ ondemand, TVNZ has offered the broadcast free of charge to domestic and international radio and television broadcasters and agencies.

So far the following news organisations have requested access to the TVNZ feed:
ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, APTN, BBC, Channel 9 Australia, Channel 10 Australia, CNN, EBU (European Broadcasting Union), Reuters Australia, SBS Australia, Sky News Australia, Prime/Sky, Radio Works, TV Works, and Newstalk ZB.

TVNZ has also organised a special satellite link for Nepal TV to allow the live broadcast to be screened there.

In Antarctica, the live broadcast will be fed to Scott Base via TVNZ's Pacific Service, which will also carry the ceremony.

Chief Executive Rick Ellis said the decision to make the broadcast available without charge was recognition of the unique position Sir Edmund held in the eyes of the world.

TVNZ's live coverage of the State Funeral will begin at 10am on Tuesday, with commentary provided before and after the service itself by broadcasters Simon Dallow and Mark Sainsbury. The service in St Mary's Church in the grounds of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell will be broadcast without commentary, unless points of explanation are absolutely necessary.

ENDS