MEDIA RELEASE: 12 April 2011
Second annual Freeview awards winners represent the best of free digital TV and radio
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.
Freeview General Manager Sam Irvine says, “After the success of last year’s awards and the boost that the wins gave to
many broadcast partners and suppliers, we expected a high level of engagement and were thrilled that the awards
generated such a high number of votes.
“We would like to thank the many Freeviewers who voted and gave their feedback, and to congratulate the winners of this
year’s awards. As an open platform we have many contributors to our success, and these awards allow viewers to pick
their favourites of these high-performing individuals and organizations.”
Russell Brown of double-winner Media7 says, “This is wonderful news for the week of Media7's 150th episode.”
“We're especially delighted to be named not only best digital-only programme, but the best programme available on
Freeview. And, of course, TVNZ 7, the home of Media7, has deservedly been voted the best digital-only channel.”
The awards recognise Freeview’s growing popularity and acknowledge the broadcast, retail and technology partners and
suppliers who collectively underpin the success of the enterprise. Over the past 12 months, record numbers of
Freeview-approved products have been sold by retailers and a significant rise has been recorded in the popularity of
shows on digital-only channels.
Voting closed on 6 April, and the winners are as follows:
Best in-store retail experience
Winner: Noel Leeming
Runner-up: Dick Smith Electronics
Best online retail experience
Winner: Dick Smith Electronics
Runner-up: Noel Leeming
Best installation experience
Winner: Alf from AV1.co.nz
Best Freeview-approved HD receiver
Winner: Dish TV UHF aerial
Runner-up: Zinwell
Best Freeview-approved satellite receiver
Winner: Dish TV
Runners-up: Zinwell
Best Freeview-approved digital television recorder
Winner: Panasonic
Runners-up: Magic
Best Freeview-approved iDTV brand
Winner: Panasonic
Runner-up: Samsung
Best digital-only TV channel available on Freeview
Winner: TVNZ 7
Runner-up: TV3 Plus 1
Best digital-only TV show available on Freeview
Winner: Media7, TVNZ 7
Runner-up: Back benches, TVNZ 7
Best TV show on a channel on Freeview
Winner: Media7, TVNZ 7
Runner-up: Back benches, TVNZ 7
Best high-definition TV show on a channel on Freeview
Winner: CSI, TV3, TV3 Plus 1
Runners-up: Criminal Minds, TV ONE
Best radio station on Freeview
Winner: Radio New Zealand National
Runner-up: George FM
For more information on Freeview’s services visit www.freeviewnz.tv. For more information
about Digital Switch Over (DSO) visit www.goingdigital.co.nz.
ENDS