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A special satellite link has been established for Nepal TV to broadcast the state funeral for Sir Edmund Hillary next week.
The link was organised by Television New Zealand (TVNZ), host broadcaster of the funeral.
In addition to TVNZ's own live broadcast on TV One, it has offered the broadcast free of charge to domestic and international radio and television broadcasters and agencies.
Organisations that have requested access to the feed include ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, APTN, BBC, Channel 9 Australia, Channel 10 Australia, CNN, EBU (European Broadcasting Union), Reuters Australia, SBS Australia, Sky News Australia, Prime/Sky, Radio Works, TV Works, and Newstalk ZB.
In Antarctica, the live broadcast will be fed to Scott Base via TVNZ's Pacific Service, which will also carry the ceremony.
TVNZ's chief executive Rick Ellis said the decision to make the broadcast available without charge was recognition of the unique position Sir Edmund held in the eyes of the world.
- NZPA