For immediate release

11 November 2011

National's Broadcasting Policy is a Shocker!

Save TVNZ 7 spokesperson, Myles Thomas says the release of
National's policy is disappointing. "Sorry to be blunt but really National's broadcasting policy is a shocker. It's not actually new policy, just the continuation of the existing destruction of public service television and we already know the results - industry contraction, job losses and the complete crass commercialisation of mainstream TV."

NZ television viewers' options have become more limited over the last three years. TVNZ 6 gone, TVNZ 7 soon gone and TV One is no longer an adult channel becoming highly commercial along with TV2, TV3 and C4. "If viewers want any decent, intelligent, Kiwi TV where can they go?"

Mr Thomas says New Zealanders are the poorer because of the government's demand of a substantial dividend from TVNZ. "The 'national broadcaster' must now ignore any expectations Kiwis have of diversity, intelligence or quality on its channels, and chase advertising dollars. In the process all programmes become easily digested and unchallenging - in other words 'dumbed down'.

“National have pinned their hopes of quality content on NZ On Air. But NZOA is actually powerless to fund anything the networks won't play. Jonathan Coleman's claims of promoting quality content by making production companies compete for funding are disingenuous. The only competition they promote is to create the most generically dumbed down broadcasting landscape in the developed world.”

For graphic evidence of this go to www.nordicity.com/reports/Nordicity%20Analysis-Public%20Broadcasting%20(2011-04).pdf

“This is why TVNZ 7 is so important to us - it's the only channel for all Kiwis that will air programmes about subjects that are not ratings winners but still important to viewers - media, art, science, history, law and other complicated, demanding and fascinating subjects.”

Like any developed country New Zealand can afford and deserves public service television but this government seem to not recognise this.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

TVNZ’s latest annual report (page 17) shows extraordinarily high viewer dissatisfaction. Go to http://images.tvnz.conz/tvnz_images/tvnz/About%20TVNZ/TVNZAR_FY2011_Web.pdf

Save TVNZ 7 has members from across the political spectrum, and is not affiliated with any party or other interest group.

In 2013, analogue TV broadcasting in New Zealand will cease and all Kiwi households will need digital receivers to get free-to-air TV.

TVNZ launched its first digital channel TVNZ 6, in September 2007. TVNZ 7 followed six months later. The two channels were rationalised and TVNZ 6 ended, earlier this year. TVNZ 7 is due to close through lack of funding in June 2012.

Save TVNZ 7 online petition at www.savetvnz7.co.nz has 4055 signings and Facebook page has 2900 fans

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