KEY POINTS:
A council's bid to stop a profusion of radio and television aerials sprouting from buildings could deny residents the free-to-air digital channels proposed by the Government.
The Government announced in June a gradual switch from analogue television to free-to-air digital to give clearer reception and more channels.
But the group of public and private broadcasters, who persuaded the Government to commit more than $100 million to the transition, says some people will miss out if North Shore City Council goes ahead with a proposed limit of one aerial per household in new multi-unit buildings.
Yesterday, FreeView Group, a partnership of Can West (TV3), Maori Television Service, Radio New Zealand and Television New Zealand, presented its concerns to council plan commissioners Callum Blair, Chris Darby and Mike Tafua.
TVNZ manager of policy and planning Ric Carlyon said the transition to digital would begin early next year and it would be six to 10 years before the analogue service switch off.
Households wanting free-to-air digital services would need to install equipment such as a set-top box, with a suitable new or existing UHF aerial for terrestrial services or a suitable dish antenna for satellite services.
FreeView called for the council to delay setting any standard or restriction on broadcasting service reception until national technical standards were adopted - in about two years.
Mr Carlyon said a single aerial would not give reception for a full range of television channels from VHF to UHF or for radio. Accessing these services would require two separate aerials, sometimes three.
A single aerial would not give reception of the full range of satellite-delivered television and radio channels such as those provided by Sky and FreeView.
The council proposed a dramatic increase in satellite receiving dishes could be avoided by wiring each unit to a central and shared aerial at the time of building. FreeView said this system might not have enough capacity for the addition of future channels and services.
"An unsatisfactory distribution system would likely cause tensions and squabbles among residents and between residents and developer, manager or body corporate over which channels and services are to be available," Mr Carlyon said.
"Which aerial do you put up, how many channels, and if it's only got half a dozen channels, which ones are those? The person or entity who owns or controls the single aerial would be limiting the viewing and listening choices of those in the building and how they may see and listen.
"The controller of the aerial is thus a blocking gatekeeper between the providers of services and their customers and viewers."
Mr Carlyon said strict controls on the number, size and height of television aerials would give unacceptable reception for large numbers of residents. A survey showed up to 30 per cent of homes on the North Shore had marginal or difficult reception because of the terrain of hills and gullies.
Many people had paid for customised aerial installations and in some instances several different aerials and locations might have to be trialled to achieve optimal reception.
The commissioners reserved their decision on the aerial controls, which are part of a proposed change to the District Plan. The proposals do not affect aerials installed before June.
