11 December 2008

Television New Zealand launches a new online news service today – www.tvnz.co.nz.  It is the culmination of 12 months of hard work by the TVNZ Emerging Business, Technology and News teams as well as Aim Proximity in Auckland. 

The Tipu Ake project as we have called it is about providing a comprehensive interactive service across all genres, and the launch of the online news service today is just the first step.   Rick Ellis, Chief Executive Office of TVNZ said ‘The launch is a major milestone in the companies journey to Inspire New Zealanders On Every Screen.  Our digital news service now matches the calibre of our on-air News, offering the in-depth coverage and commentary of News, Sport and Weather that New Zealanders expect from TVNZ. The next phase is an exceptional new entertainment site, and you will see that in the second half of 2009.  The Autumn roll out will include a new high definition on demand service in association with Disney, Warner Brothers, Granada and New Zealand’s local production community, which we believe will redefine broadband entertainment in this territory.’

Head of emerging business Jason Paris says TVNZ’s OneNews and TVNZondemand sites have been folded into a "completely redesigned" tvnz.co.nz, which will have beefed-up news coverage, aiming to take on Stuff, nzherald.co.nz and YahooXtra. The state broadcaster earns annual revenues in the "low millions" from online advertising and from selling programmes online. "Our target is to double revenues every year for the next three years," Mr Paris said, noting TVNZ has a dual mandate.

"As a public broadcaster we need to make sure our content is available where and when New Zealanders want it."But at the same time online is a big commercial opportunity for us. It is the media that is having the most significant year-on-year growth.