ANZAC Broadcast A Ratings Success For Maori TV

PUBLICITY RELEASE
THURSDAY APRIL 30 2009

ANZAC Broadcast A Ratings Success For Maori Television

Maori Television's all-day ANZAC special recorded the channel's highest ever cumulative reach for any one day in its five-year history with more than half a million people tuning in during the 18-hour broadcast on Saturday April 25 2009.

Figures from AGB Nielsen Media Research show that Maori Television's ANZAC Day coverage reached 507,000 New Zealanders (aged 5+) and 116,800 Maori (aged 5+) “ growing the broadcaster's ANZAC Day reach by nearly 50 per cent from 2008 to 2009.

For the fourth year in a row, New Zealand's national indigenous broadcaster devoted its entire schedule to coverage of key ANZAC memorial ceremonies at home and overseas as well as veteran interviews, studio discussions and speeches, special stories and entertainment.

Among the many emails of congratulations from viewers, one Wellington woman wrote: "Your presentation on ANZAC Day was a wonderful tribute to our fallen, returned and serving servicemen and servicewomen. All day and evening the depth and breadth of information, the calibre of presentation and presenter, and the range of talent you shared with us, was outstanding.".

Maori Television chief executive Jim Mather says the annual ANZAC specials continue to attract widespread critical and public acclaim for emotional, insightful and respectful coverage.

He acknowledged the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association; broadcast funders Te Mangai Paho, New Zealand On Air and Te Puni Kokiri; major sponsor ANZ; and production company Just the Ticket, led by executive producer Ross Jennings.

˜It is humbling that over half a million New Zealanders tuned into Maori Television at some stage on ANZAC Day to honour the sacrifices of our veterans and current Defence Force personnel, Mr Mather says."This reinforces our view that New Zealanders remain passionate about public service broadcasting which reflects our core values and traditions as a nation."

Maori Television is available free-to-air on Freeview channel 5, UHF or using a satellite dish and receiver; channel 19 on SKY Digital or channel 6 on SKY UHF; and channel 33 on Saturn TV; while Maori language channel Te Reo is available on Freeview satellite channel 24 and channel 59 on SKY Digital.

Viewers can call the helpline on 0800 MA TATOU (0800 628 2868) for advice on how to tune in to Maori Television or go to the new-look website, www.maoritelevision.com, for more information including video on demand.

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