Coleman and Joyce get tick of approval
Jonathan Coleman’s appointment as Minister of Broadcasting has been welcomed by Triangle Television and Stratos
Television.
Jim Blackman, chief executive of the two channels, says Dr Coleman has grasped the issues facing broadcasting quickly in
the short time he spent researching the role.
“He certainly faces some challenges, one of which is the uneconomic use of the digital TV spectrum,” Blackman says. “We
have a bevy of channels cluttering up the space that aren’t even on air a lot of the time. Economising the use of that
spectrum needs considering.”
Blackman, who founded Triangle Television 10 years ago, also says the review of broadcasting regulations, which is part
way through, will be a major part of Dr Coleman’s challenge because it is the first time all aspects of broadcasting in
the widest sense have been reviewed in entirety.
“We will be also watching closely the introduction of high speed broadband, which is likely to carry TV,” he says. “Bill
English and National’s strategy man Stephen Joyce, will be looking after the broadband infrastructure roll out and we
welcome them too.
“Stephen Joyce knows what it is like to work hard to build a media outlet without state handouts. It will be interesting
to hear what he has to say.”
ends