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The final dates for New Zealand television going digital were announced today by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Confirming the timetable for the biggest change to television broadcasting since the introduction of colour gives certainty to viewers who are yet to go digital, says Dr Coleman.

‘’We’re planning for the start of a fully digital TV age where New Zealanders can enjoy better pictures and sound, more choice and benefits such as onscreen television guides,’’ Dr Coleman says.

‘’Almost eight out of ten New Zealanders are already watching digital television and I’m encouraging those who are not to plan and prepare now.’’

The switchover will occur in four stages:
- Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast at 2:00am on Sunday 30 September 2012
- Rest of the South Island at 2:00am on Sunday 28 April 2013
- Lower North Island, Taranaki and Gisborne at 2:00am on Sunday 29 on September 2013
- Rest of the North Island at 2:00am on Sunday 1 December 2013.

Today’s announcement coincides with the launch of Going Digital’s television and newspaper advertising campaign on June 10 to let people know what is required to go digital.

Households that have Freeview, Sky or TelstraClear, are already set for digital television. Other viewers do not need to buy a new television to go digital, but may need to buy a set-top box and possibly a new aerial or satellite dish depending on what equipment they currently have and where they live.

More information on Going Digital is available from www.goingdigital.co.nz or by phoning 0800 838 800.

[1] It is important to note that the areas above describe the expected areas in which digital switchover will occur.  In some areas, viewers may receive their signals from a site other than that identified by radio engineers. 
* Viewers in Norsewood or further south with aerials pointed at Mt Erin will go digital on 30 September 2012.  Those with aerials pointed at Wharite will go digital on 29 September 2013.

After a successful first awards season in 2010, the second annual Freeview awards have garnered a record number of votes – 6,346 votes were cast to determine the winners in 12 categories of digital media and related services. The awards celebrate all aspects of Freeview, from the channels and programmes provided by Freeview broadcasters, to the first-rate work of retailers and installers and the top-quality Freeview-approved products around New Zealand.

Best Freeview-approved HD receiver
Winner: Dish TV UHF aerial

Best Freeview-approved satellite receiver
Winner: Dish TV

The Government has announced it is extending the existing Freeview|HD® (high definition) service to more regions throughout the country including Whangarei, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Taupo, Gisborne, Masterton, Wanganui, Nelson, Timaru and Invercargill making Freeview|HD® available to an extra 160,000 homes nationwide. Viewers can check whether they are in coverage by going to the Freeview website and using the Coverage checker www.freeviewnz.tv

As of March 1st there have been some changes made to the Freeview channel line up.

* TVNZ 6 no longer broadcasts on Freeview channel 6. It will be replaced by TVNZ U from Sunday 13th March.
* Triangle Stratos is now available on the Freeview|HD platform on channel 21.
* Freeview channel 100 (Freeview demo channel) has been removed as capacity is now required for new services like Triangle Stratos which launched on Freeview|HD March 1st

As an open access broadcast platform, Freeview does not control the channels or content broadcast. It is up to the individual broadcasters to make programming decisions on their channels. If you have specific queries about these changes please contact the individual broadcasters.

New TVNZ channel – U TV

TVNZ will launch their new channel – U TV on Freeview channel 6 from 4pm Sunday March 13th.

U is a brand new youth channel, featuring a mix of reality and factual based shows. Viewers use Facebook to interact with the presenters and the broadcast of U live, a daily entertainment music show.

What about Kidzone?

Kidzone features on the new TVNZ 7 for 2 hours in the morning, from 6am to 8am.

Why have TVNZ only kept 2 hours of Kidzone when everybody loves it so much?

With one public service channel TVNZ say they have to balance the schedule to reflect the interests of all viewers.

What has happened to TVNZ 6?

The most popular elements of the existing TVNZ 6 schedule have been incorporated into the schedule for the new TVNZ 7. A new commercial channel (U TV) will be launch on the frequency currently occupied by TVNZ 6 from Sunday 13th March. U TV targets 18-24 year old viewers.

For more information about these changes please contact TVNZ on (09) 916 7000.

There is children’s programming available on several Freeview channels including TV2, TV3, FOUR and Maori Television. For programme details please visit http://www.freeviewnz.tv/tv_channels_and_listings/ or press the EPG or GUIDE button on your TV remote.