Bright New Year for Children’s Television

NZ on Air has announced funding for a $9.1 million line-up of children’s television programmes next year. The 2001 season will see the return of many well-loved Kiwi favourites alongside new programmes for teens and younger children.

Squirt, What Now and Suzy’s World all return for the 2001 school-aged viewer. The younger set can also look forward to new series of The Big Chair, Bumble and The Dress Up Box, plus a new show featuring The Scallywag Pirates. Brand new to the teen screen, will be a quiz challenge show, The Machine, with a further line-up of music and entertainment shows Mai Time Pasifika Beats, Mai Time 2001, Smokefree Stage Challenge and Rockquest 2001 completing the package.

“Almost a quarter of NZ on Air’s annual television budget is spent on programmes for children and younger people. We are heartened to see the return of so many high quality programmes that are both educational and entertaining,“ said NZ On Air Chief Executive Jo Tyndall.

“Through programmes such as Squirt, What Now and Suzy’s World, school age kids have the opportunity to identify with a rich mix of New Zealand ideas, information, humour, and entertainment. What’s really great is that these programmes reflect Kiwi kids’ lifestyles and interests “ said Ms Tyndall.

A new programme, The Scallywag Pirates, on TV2, comprises three singing pirates complete with parrot, who will provide a lively link between pre-school programmes on TV2 along with a whole new raft of songs for pre-schoolers. The Scallywag Pirates aims to actively extend children by getting them up on their feet, singing and dancing.

Another new programme, The Machine, is a teen quiz game show that will involve teams of teenagers from all around New Zealand competing on subjects including education, arts and performance as well as athletic ability. In order to succeed, teams must not only use the individual skills and talents of each member but work together in a positive and collective way.

“Our recent research tells us that parents want this kind of positive team work message presented to their children and regard it as every bit as educational as the traditional three R’s,“ said Ms Tyndall.

School-based motivation and inspiration will be provided by two TV specials featuring secondary school competitions for stage performance and contemporary music. Both Smokefree Stage Challenge and Smokefree Rockquest have been supported by NZ On Air for a number of years as they encourage young New Zealanders to participate in cultural activities and provide genuine opportunities for them to see themselves on screen.

Mai Time- Pasifika Beats will provide television coverage of the Maori/Pacific Island section of Smokefree Rockquest, followed by a one hour show Mai Time–2001 Awards where achievements within the youth music and performance community will be acknowledged.

Funding Details

TV2 will receive $941,540 to TV2 to produce Mai Time and the Mai Time Pasifika Beats special, $250,000 to produce Smokefree Stage Challenge 2000 and $633,333 to produce 13 half hour programmes of The Machine, all set to screen later next year.

Screentime NZ, will receive $148,990 to produce three half hour programmes of Smokefree Rockquest 2000.

Squirt and What Now will also screen on TV2 next year. Squirt producers, Taylormade, have been allocated $1,000,000 to produce 40 half hour episodes. TV2 will receive $3,875,000 to produce 196 x 19 minute and 40 x 2.5 hour episodes of What Now?

Treehut Productions will receive $679,702 to produce 66 ten minute episodes of Suzy’s World, set to screen on TV3 in 2001.

Early childhood programmes have been allocated a total of $1,575,526 by NZ On Air. Whitebait Productions will receive $1,007,357 to to produce 75 half hour episodes of Bumble, Run Rabbit Productions will receive $175,890 to produce The Scallywag Pirates links – all for TV2. $230,529 has been allocated to Papageno Productions to produce 16 five minute episodes of The Dress Up Box and $161,750 to Raconteur/Shoot for the Moon to produce 13 five minute programmes of The Big Chair – both for TV3.

ends

For further information:
Jo Tyndall
Chief Executive
NZ On Air
Tel: (04) 382 9524
This media release is available on the Internet, at http://www.nzonair.govt.nz

Squirt $1,000,000
40 x half hour programmes
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: Dayle Spavins, Taylormade

What Now? $3,875,000
196 x 19 min and 40 x 2.5 hour
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: Tony Palmer, TV2

Bumble $1,007,357
75 x half hour programmes
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: Janine Morrell, Whitebait Productions

Suzy’s World $679,702
66 x 10 minute series
Broadcaster: TV3
Executive Producer: Gerban Cath, Treehut Productions

The Dress Up Box $230,529
15 x 5 minute series
Broadcaster: TV3
Producer: Sue Wolfenden, Papageno Productions

The Big Chair $161,750
13 x 5 minute series
Broadcaster: TV3
Producer: Veronica McCarthy & Bridget Scoular
Raconteur/Shoot for the Moon

The Scallywag Pirates $175,890
30 x 1’10” and 30 x 3’ slots
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: Roanne Parker, Run Rabbit Productions

Smokefree Stage Challenge $250,000
7 x half hour series
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: Tony Palmer, TV2

Smokefree Rockquest $148,990
3 x half hour
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: Richard Driver, Screentime NZ

Mai Time $870,000
35 x one hour programmes
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: Greg Mayor, TVNZ

Mai Time - Pasifika Beats $71,540
2 x one hour coverage
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: Greg Mayor, TVNZ

The Machine $633,333
13 x half hour quiz shows
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: Tony Palmer, TV2

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