Parents fight to keep children's TV shows

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Parents are begging TVNZ to keep the children's programming Kidzone.

Three mothers of preschoolers started the Facebook group "TVNZ Please keep Kidzone" last weekend and by last night it had almost 2000 members.

The child-friendly Kidzone runs from 6am to 6pm on TVNZ6, available on Freeview and Sky platforms, but TVNZ6's $79 million of government funding over five years expires in 2012.

A plan to fold some TVNZ6 programmes into TVNZ7 and drop the rest is being considered by the Government.

It is understood TVNZ wants TVNZ6 to end early so it can be turned into a commercial youth channel by March next year.

This has outraged many parents who say their children love the programming and they feel safe letting them watch it.

Founder of the Facebook group Liz Kelso believes the huge support it has received will convince TVNZ to keep Kidzone.

"I really believe we can prevent this removal of this awesome channel with the support of the New Zealand public."

Mother Nikki Sparrow said she got Freeview only for the Kidzone programming and had written to TVNZ begging it to keep the show.

"Please don't take away Milly Molly ... my girl loves them!!!" she wrote on the Facebook wall.

Another mother, Alison Lawrence, wrote: "Kidzone is great. It's Kiwi, which is great rather than kids having American kids' programmes all the time.

"Also has a great mix of educational and fun kids' stuff. It's a lifeline for lots of Mums with two toddlers in tow. Please don't take it away!"

TVNZ spokeswoman Megan Richards said any concern about Kidzone being cut was a little premature.

She said the Freeview digital channels were fully funded by the Government to encourage Kiwis to move to digital television reception faster.

This move to digital would have consequent economic benefits to the country, she said.

"The Government is currently considering what future funding arrangements for TVNZ6 and TVNZ7 may be made."

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman said the Government did not control which programmes were kept because TVNZ determined what it screened on its channels.