Highest Ratings Ever for Maori Television!

PUBLICITY RELEASE
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2 2006

Highest Ratings Ever for Maori Television!

New Zealand’s national indigenous broadcaster, Maori Television, has recorded its highest ever ratings with a monthly cumulative audience of more than 580,000 unique viewers tuning into the channel in October.

The record month surpasses April’s previous high of 577,000 which was bolstered by the hugely successful ANZAC Day broadcast.

The increase in October is attributed to strong audience numbers for the free-to-air Tri-Nations league coverage which started on October 14. Game one between New Zealand and Australia attracted more than 100,000 viewers.

Overall, more than 325,000 viewers were aged 40 years and over – another record for the channel. Cumulative ratings measure each unique individual viewer who has tuned in for at least eight minutes.

Maori Television chief executive Jim Mather says significant progress has been made to confirm Maori Television’s place as a valued public service broadcaster and the station will continue to broadcast programmes such as ANZAC Day and the Tri-Nations that promote the Maori language and culture.

“We have begun to see the real potential that the channel has as a provider of quality New Zealand public television and as a bridge to promote understanding between Maori and all other New Zealanders,” Mr Mather says.

“It is my privilege to report on the remarkable growth and development that the channel is achieving so early in its lifetime.”

Viewers can call the helpline on 0800 MA TATOU (0800 628 2868) for advice on how to tune into Maori Television.

ENDS

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