Sky Welcomes Today’s Switchover Announcement

Media Release
16 September 2010

Sky Television Welcomes Today’s Government Switchover Announcement

SKY Television confirmed today its support of the Government's plan to switch off all analogue television transmitters and move to an all digital television environment by 2013.

Digital switchover will put New Zealand on a par with other OECD countries such as Australia where all analogue television will be switched off and replaced with digital by 2013 and the UK by 2012.

More than 800,000 New Zealand homes already receive their digital television through SKY, receiving all the key free-to-air television channels and key radio channels including National Radio and Concert FM, as these services are automatically included in whatever package that they choose.

SKY's digital satellite service reaches all New Zealand homes and offers viewers crystal clear reception and high quality audio, more content choices through additional channels and most importantly, High Definition channels through SKY's personal video recorder, MY SKY HDi.

John Fellet, SKY Chief Executive says "The goal of FreeView is to encourage Analogue Television Viewers to convert to Digital in order free up existing Analogue spectrum which can be repurposed for modern communications. To this end the Government has already invested millions of dollars in content and infrastructure. Until the switch off happens New Zealand can not receive the Digital Dividend.”

Throughout New Zealand, consumers will now be considering more than ever what digital option to choose - with just a quick call to SKY on 0800 759759, its "one stop shop" approach is designed to make the transition to digital simple and uncomplicated.

-ends -

About SKY Television

SKY Television is New Zealand’s pre-eminent pay television operator, offering a wide range of sports, movies, music, on-demand and general content across more than 110 channels. SKY’s channel line-up includes 8 sports channels, 6 movie channels, 7 general entertainment channels, 6 documentary channels, 5 news channels, 4 children’s channels, as well as other niche and special interest channels. (As of 25 June 2010, SKY had 800,000 subscribers).

SKY launched as a three-channel UHF service in 1990, with two further channels added four years later. SKY’s UHF signal reached more than 83% of the country’s 1.5 million households. In December 1998 SKY launched a digital satellite service, extending its reach to the whole country. More than 47% of New Zealand homes subscribe to SKY. The analogue UHF service closed down on 10 March 2010.

SKY also offers pay-per-view movies, live events and interactive services including Skybet, the Weather Channel, and games channels Mind Games and PlayinTV and is also the cornerstone shareholder in Fatso, New Zealand’s premier on line DVD rental service.

In July 2008 SKY launched MYSKYHDi, a new High Definition decoder and PVR with Dolby Digital surround sound, IPTV capability and increased storage. SKY currently offers seven MPEG 4 High Definition television channels (SKY Sport 1 and 2, SKY Movies and SKY Movies Greats, TV3 HD, TVONE HD and TV2 HD) to subscribers.

.On 8 February 2006, SKY completed the purchase of the New Zealand television business of PRIME Television Ltd. The acquisition of a free-to-air channel gives SKY the opportunity to showcase its channels and programmes whilst ensuring that New Zealand consumers can view delayed free-to-air sports programmes such as rugby, rugby league and cricket in primetime.

For further information, please visit the web site at www.sky.co.nz

© Scoop Media