Free-to-air services likely to go ahead

The New Zealand government is expected to give the green light to proposals for a DTT service moulded on the UK’s Freeview according to a recent article on Digital Spy.
The proposals are being developed by TVNZ, the countries public broadcaster and is likely to be presented for approval next month. The plan would allow NZ consumers to be able to access a number of free digital terrestrial channels just by purchasing a Set Top Box.
Digital Spy goes on to say that a point of contention is the funding required to establish the new network. This is estimated at £100-200 million. Other terrestrial broadcasters have backed the idea but Sky the dominant satellite service are said to be against the planned free service. If approved the service could be on the air by late 2007 or early 2008.
Source: Digital Spy
Item added: 6th March 2006