Time running out for Maori TV transmitter plan

By LOUISA CLEAVE

The Maori Television Service is under pressure to come up with an alternative to the Government's proposal for broadcasting its programmes.

The Government wants the service to use a UHF network provided by TVNZ's transmission arm, BCL.

But MTS directors want to use the TV4 signal for its broadcasts.

The lease deal with TV4 owner CanWest would involve swapping radio frequencies set aside for the Government's youth radio network for the VHF signal.

CanWest wants more frequencies to broadcast one of its radio stations, The Edge, in Auckland.

It is also understood the company wants to move racing coverage from Radio Pacific - which has a 25-year contract with the TAB to provide the service - to a stand-alone station so it can revamp Pacific.

The Government has told MTS to go with the BCL network unless the board can come up with a plan before October 14 which does not involve radio frequencies.

The service was due to start in June but may not be on air until next May after a series of setbacks, including the John Davy debacle and debate about platform options.

BCL communications manager Sue Hamilton said it would take five months to "switch on" the UHF network.

She said three-quarters of New Zealand homes had UHF aerials, according to information from broadcasters such as Sky Television and Prime, which use the UHF spectrum.

The Maori channel would reach 74 per cent of New Zealand's population under the BCL plan.

It would eventually go to 86 per cent of Maori, based on BCL calculations of the coverage available and population statistics of Maori households around the country.

Homes without a UHF aerial would have to spend $200 to receive the service, and all viewers would have to tune their sets to pick up the new channel.

TV4 reaches about 75 per cent of the population through its free-to-air service.

It is also available on the Sky digital platform.

CanWest New Zealand head Brent Impey said there could be no deal for TV4 without the radio frequencies.

The company had made its position clear and there had not been any recent negotiations with MTS.

"We want it brought to a head one way or the other so we can get on with life," said Mr Impey.

Further reading
Feature: Maori TV