Freeview's blog

Steve Browning, General Manager, Freeview, today announced that Kiwis can look forward to HD capable Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) courtesy of the Freeview|HD(TM) service from 2nd April 2008.

“Freeview|HD(TM) is New Zealand’s first high definition capable digital service and has the potential to dramatically alter the way in which Kiwis access and then enjoy television and radio programmes. It will provide crystal clear digital quality pictures and sounds on all channels with the added bonus of TVOne, TV2, and TV3 broadcast in a high definition format,” he says.

“The Freeview satellite service made bad reception a thing of the past, delivering crystal clear standard definition pictures to over 80,000 homes since its launch in May 2007. The addition of the Freeview|HDTM service provides the option to access free-to-air digital television and radio via UHF aerial,” he adds.

The Freeview|HDTM service will be available in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Napier, Hastings, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, or approximately 75% of New Zealand homes.

An official launch event for media and invited guests will take place in Wellington on Monday, 14th April, to mark this significant step in New Zealand broadcasting history.

The launch event will feature a HD broadcast of programmes kindly provided by Natural History New Zealand so those in attendance can experience, first hand, the digital experience that is Freeview|HDTM.

Freeview|HDTM digital terrestrial receivers can be purchased from New Zealand’s leading appliance retailers from 2nd April 2008.

Parliament TV will include live broadcasts of all sessions from the House of Representatives including question time, legislative debates, matters of urgency and extended coverage if the House sits outside of regular hours.

This will be broadcast live giving viewers the opportunity to see the vigorous debate that is the hallmark of a healthy Parliamentary democracy.

“We have made the feeds of live coverage from the debating chamber available to all broadcasters but have always wanted as many viewers as possible to see the full, unedited debates. Freeview will enable us to do that, ” the Speaker, Hon Margaret Wilson, said.

Steve Browning, Freeview’s General Manger, says

“We’re delighted that Parliament TV has chosen to launch its service on Freeview and complement our existing services of TVONE, TV2, TV3, C4, Maori Television, Radio NZ National and Concert, and TVNZ Sport Extra. This takes Freeview’s digital television offering to a total of eleven services.”

“Freeview is offering Kiwis a high quality range of programme choices for the one-off cost of a set-top-box. So it is shaping up as an increasingly attractive offer, evidenced by the 41,000 households who have already chosen free-to-air digital satellite reception,” he adds.

More information can be found on the Freeview website.