NZ digital content takes off

22 June 2010

NZ digital content takes off

Three innovative projects for online audiences have been supported, thanks to NZ On Air investment through its million-dollar Digital Content Partnership Fund. There were 49 strong applications for this third year of the contestable Fund. “With so many quality options available, we were spoiled for choice,” said NZ On Air chief executive Jane Wrightson.

Everyone Lies is the sequel to the interactive drama Reservoir Hill which won New Zealand’s first International Digital Emmy Award earlier this year. “Reservoir Hill was extraordinarily successful, both as drama and as a ground-breaking experiment in local audience interactivity. Streaming on tvnz.co.nz, the new series will take audience engagement to new levels, introducing a number of exciting new technologies” said Ms Wrightson

Snort is an interactive comedy portal supported by tv3.co.nz. Aiming to be the online home of New Zealand comedy, the site will feature 32 weeks of original local comedy featuring both new and familiar comic talent. Users of the site will comment via twitter and blogs.

“TV3 has had a very successful comedy strategy for some time”, said Ms Wrightson. “Many new performers have been given great TV opportunities and this site provides even more ways to bring local comedy to the world”, she said.

The third investment is Mixtape, a music site which will allow music lovers to create personal, legal mixtapes of songs. Users will also be able to stream and share content online. “This year there were many strong music proposals. Mixtape allows users to spread their music passion in a creative and fun way” said Ms Wrightson. “This application had very strong support from different parts of the music industry, and NZ On Air agrees that it’s a terrific way to promote NZ music to online audiences”, she said.

The Digital Content Partnership Fund was created to encourage innovative ways to bring local content to online audiences. Contestable applications are considered annually.

NZ On Air has also agreed to invest funding for a third year in the award-winning website NZ On Screen. “This site (www.nzonscreen.com) has deservedly won accolades for its comprehensive, lively content and background information that allows anyone instant access to a treasure trove of NZ screen history”, said Ms Wrightson.

ENDS

© Scoop Media