Thursday 04 May 2011

International screen production companies and nine New Zealand companies have offered access to their back catalogue television programmes free of charge and other support to CTV to assist the Christchurch television station now back on air after the 22 February earthquake.

This follows an announcement, regarding the loss of 16 of CTV’s people, along with its back catalogue, in the collapse of the CTV building, at the New Zealand Dinner (hosted by SPADA and Film New Zealand) in April at MIPTV in Cannes, the world’s largest television market. The offers were made by high profile international companies, including Mark Burnett Productions (The Apprentice and Survivor), distributor TVF International and Network Ireland.

Approximately 200 hours of free programming have been offered from nine New Zealand companies. Great Western Entertainment (Australia) and New Zealand’s Gibson Group have committed to a weekend International Family Festival and so far have offers of programmes from over 14 international companies, including ABC (Aust), A&E (US), Endemol and DRG.

CTV Programmer Sacha Stevens said: “We said yes to these offers immediately and will be using some of these international back catalogue programmes in our upcoming schedules and for our weekend International Family Festival. We’ve worked really hard to start from nothing and it’s so encouraging to know that so many people are thinking of us and the people of Christchurch and to have received these generous and practical offers of help from offshore and from the New Zealand production industry.”

CTV Journalist Emily Cooper and Christchurch based producer Veronica McCarthy (Paua Productions) are appearing on TVNZ 7’s Media 7 this Thursday (TVNZ 7 at 9.10pm). Māori Television is also supporting the South Island broadcaster by airing CTV programming nationally between 8.00am-10.00am and 1.00pm-3.00pm weekdays and 8.00am-2.00pm on weekends.

ENDS

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