11. SUE KEDGLEY (Green) Link to this
to the Minister of Broadcasting
Will the Government commit to a substantial increase in funding for local content, and put in place local content quotas to ensure there is a guaranteed amount of local programming on the proposed 18 new digital channels; if not, why not?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Broadcasting) Link to this
No, the Government’s commitment is to support the establishment of a platform for free-to-air digital TV to ensure that all New Zealanders continue to have access to free-to-air broadcasting services. We are not intending to impose quotas. Our commitment is to provide up to $25 million over 5 years towards the establishment of Freeview and to provide access to frequencies estimated to be worth up to $10 million.
Does he agree that without substantial increased funding for local content or local content quotas, digital television may simply deliver us high-quality images of low-quality overseas programmes and endless reruns of other people’s reality TV; if not, why not?
Jill PettisHon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The Government supports local content through funding of New Zealand On Air and through the Television New Zealand (TVNZ) charter. Combined television funding for these initiatives is now more than $83 million per annum—significantly more than the previous National Government funded. The Government’s policies promote the development of quality programming and a good example is children’s programming. This year, New Zealand On Air is funding a great range of children’s programmes, including Madigan’s Quest, , , , , , , , , and, of course, the ground-breaking .
How many new channels does the Minister expect TVNZ to set up once digital television is established; does he agree that this presents a great opportunity for TVNZ to differentiate itself from all the other channels by making one channel an advertisement-free, genuinely public broadcaster; if not, why not?
Does he accept that many New Zealanders simply cannot afford the $300 to $400 technology upgrade to switch to digital, and what will happen to those who have not been able to make the change before the analogue switch-off in 6 to 10 years; will he guarantee that no one loses access to television because of the cost of the upgrade?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I have to point out this change will take place over 6 to 10 years. The most likely cost right now for a person making the shift would be $200 for a set top box and $30 to have someone come round to twiddle with the aerial. Over time, those costs may well come down to next to zero. For example, I imagine that within 6 to 10 years manufacturers will put the digital component inside the television set when a person buys it, and that will leave almost no costs at all to the consumer.