Home for Christmas: Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park returns to TVNZ
TVNZ is getting into the festive spirit early this year, signing on as the new broadcast partner for this year’s Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park.
It’s a return home for the nation’s favourite Christmas party – TVNZ broadcast its very first production 22 years ago.
The annual outdoor music extravaganza is held in Auckland and Christchurch and features the country’s top music acts and
stars by the sleighful.
This year a number of TVNZ faces will be joining the onstage festivities and highlights of the live events will air on
TV2 in the lead up to Christmas.
“Cola-Cola Christmas in the Park is a great Christmas tradition that puts a huge smile on so many Kiwis’ faces – from the huge crowds that turn out for
the live events to the thousands more watching the show together at home,” says TVNZ’s Commercial Director Jeremy
O’Brien.
“On stage and onscreen, we’re looking forward to spreading the Christmas cheer wide and far with our friends Coca-Cola.
At TVNZ we love sharing and celebrating the moments that matter in the lives of Kiwis – that’s why we’re especially
excited about renewing our association with this event that draws in so many people and performers from across New
Zealand’s communities,” says Jeremy O’Brien.
Viewers can look forward to an entertaining and family-friendly 90 minute TV special made for TV2 by Coca-Cola and TVNZ.
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Coca-Cola who see the potential for a new future for the show. We
will do our utmost to give viewers this year’s most exciting and rewarding Christmas music spectacular on television,”
says Andrew Shaw, TVNZ's General Manager of Commissioning, Production and Acquisitions.
Andrew Shaw says the show has broad appeal: “Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park is one of those rare events that appeals to all ages. Grandparents come with the kids and the grandchildren and no
doubt they will be the same people who gather on the couch to watch it as well. Clearly 200,000 plus people turning up
in all weather, year after year, indicates it has a big audience that want to see it live and on television.”
Over the years Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park has raised millions of dollars for local charities. Money raised from this year’s concert will go to supporting the
work of Youthline.