* Please find attached the 'Freeview|HDTM Launch Date Announced' news release and media fact sheet.
PRESS RELEASE:
Monday, March 17th, 2008
Freeview|HDTM Launch Date Announced
Steve Browning, General Manager, Freeview, today announced that Kiwis' can look forward to HD capable Digital
Terrestrial Television (DTT) courtesy of the Freeview|HD(TM) service from 2nd April 2008.
"Freeview|HD(TM) is New Zealand's first high definition capable digital service and has the potential to dramatically
alter the way in which Kiwis access and then enjoy television and radio programmes. It will provide crystal clear
digital quality pictures and sounds on all channels with the added bonus of TVOne, TV2, and TV3 broadcast in a high
definition format," he says.
"The Freeview satellite service made bad reception a thing of the past, delivering crystal clear standard definition
pictures to over 80,000 homes since its launch in May 2007. The addition of the Freeview|HDTM service provides the
option to access free-to-air digital television and radio via UHF aerial," he adds.
The Freeview|HDTM service will be available in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Napier, Hastings,
Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, or approximately 75% of New Zealand homes.
An official launch event for media and invited guests will take place in Wellington on Monday, 14th April, to mark this
significant step in New Zealand broadcasting history.
The launch event will feature a HD broadcast of programmes kindly provided by Natural History New Zealand so those in
attendance can experience, first hand, the digital experience that is Freeview|HDTM.
Freeview|HDTM digital terrestrial receivers can be purchased from New Zealand's leading appliance retailers from 2nd
April 2008.
ENDS