Freeview|HD Extended to 160,000 More Homes

At last something sensible has emerged from the free-to-air fiasco of TV One, TV3 and Maori TV covering the same Rugby World Cup games: the government has just announced Freeview|HD is now available to an extra 160,000 homes in time for kick-off.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman says the digital terrestrial television (DTT) service has been extended to homes in Whangarei, Rotorua, Gisborne, Taupo, Whanganui, New Plymouth, Wairarapa, Nelson, Timaru and Invercargill.

“With a month before kick-off, it’s a great time for people to switch to digital television. It offers better pictures, better quality sound, more channels, and features such as on-screen TV guides.’’

The $5.5 million extension means more than 86 percent of the population can choose between the Freeview|HD service, received with a UHF aerial, and the Freeview satellite service, which requires a satellite dish.

Research shows that 79% of New Zealanders have already converted to digital television.

Digital switchover will be phased starting with Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast in September 2012. The rest of the country will go digital in three stages between April and December 2013.

For more information on going digital, see www.goingdigital.co.nz or call 0800 838 800.

In the meantime, Maori TV will broadcast all 48 RWC games, but only in SD, whereas TV One and TV3 will provide HD coverage of their live games and full replays.

The host broadcaster feed will be the same for all networks; however, each network will tailor that coverage in the build-up, half-time and post-match with its own coverage.