ONE News, Pacific programming for S Pacific

14 September 2005

ONE News and Pacific programming assured for South Pacific Broadcasters

TVNZ has welcomed the Government's decision to pick up the tab for an expanded satellite service to South Pacific television broadcasters.

It will ensure the daily satellite transmission of ONE News, and weekly transmission of TV ONE's specialist Pacific programme Tagata Pasifika to Samoa, Niue, Tonga and the Cook Islands. The service will begin on Friday.

TVNZ says part of the funding announced by the Government is to provide research to determine the most appropriate satellite transponder for the expanded service, and to make available those New Zealand-made programmes that are of special interest to Pacific nations.

TVNZ has had a longstanding relationship with Pacific broadcasters, and helped establish television stations in the Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji and other island groups.

Prior to the Government's decision, TVNZ had paid for a daily satellite feed of ONE News, which last year established a new Pacific unit to give greater depth to News coverage of the region. Pacific broadcasters said they wanted TV ONE news in preference to Australian bulletins.

The announcement of New Zealand Government support ensures not only a continuation of the service but an expansion of programming which will be particularly welcomed by the smaller South Pacific broadcasters.

ENDS

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