TVNZ apologises for Olympic broadcast glitch during Men’s 200m Butterfly Final

TVNZ apologises to viewers who missed the end of the Men’s 200metre Butterfly final in which Kiwi swimmer Moss Burmester was placed fourth.

A switching failure at the TVNZ headquarters in Auckland meant that viewers receiving the broadcast via satellite - either through SKY or on Freeview - missed the race

Viewers with analogue transmission in the South Island were also affected.

Live streaming on tvnz.co.nz - which uses a satellite feed - was disrupted.

The satellite outage lasted for about 6 minutes, and the South Island analogue viewers lost reception for about 8 minutes.

The race was replayed on TV ONE shortly after 3pm, and is now available for viewing on tvnz.co.nz.

TVNZ says it greatly regrets that a technical failure has interfered with New Zealanders’ appreciation of Moss Burmester’s tremendous effort.

All broadcasters undertaking technically complex transmissions run the risk of occasional switching failures, but the company says everyone involved is distressed at the timing of the glitch.

Beijing Olympics huge success for TVNZ

The Beijing Olympics has attracted spectacular television audiences with over 2.6 million New Zealanders tuning in to TV ONE’s coverage over the weekend.

Since its opening in the early hours of Saturday morning, Beijing 2008 has delivered 29% higher ratings than Athens 2004.

“This is an outstanding result,” says TVNZ’s Head of Television Jeff Latch.

“New Zealanders love the Olympics - they love getting involved in worldwide sporting events, and supporting our Kiwi athletes. And there is no better way to share in those great Olympic moments from here than to watch them on television.”

ONE News also gained stellar ratings over the weekend with its Olympic highlights, achieving a 52% share in the 25-54 demographic last night and a rating of 21.

TVNZ’s dedicated Olympics site on tvnz.co.nz is also proving hugely popular.

Over the weekend TVNZ’s Olympics site yielded more than half a million page impressions and over 80,000 unique browsers each day - four times the anticipated traffic for the opening weekend.

TVNZ is New Zealand’s official broadcaster of and online partner for Beijing 2008. New Zealanders can choose to watch the Olympics coverage on TV ONE, TVNZ Sport Extra on Freeview Channel 20, and on any of four live streaming channels on tvnz.co.nz.
For schedule information go to tvnz.co.nz/Olympics.

Beijing Olympics TV Highlights Second Week 2008

Geoff Bryan and Peter Williams will be presenting the 2008 Summer Olympics LIVE from Beijing.

Highlights from the second week will include:

Saturday 16 August - Day 8: Women’s Hockey (NZ v USA); Track & Field; Swimming Finals; Rowing; Track Cycling; and Sailing Finals.

Sunday 17 August - Day 9: Women’s Marathon; Swimming Finals; Track Cycling; Rowing; Track & Field; and Equestrian.

Monday 18 August - Day 10: Women’s Triathlon; Men’s Beach Volleyball; Canoe/Kayak; Track Cycling; Equestrian; Synchronised Swimming (Duet Technical Routine, NZers Nina and Lisa Daniels); Sailing (Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing, NZers Barbara Kendall, Tom Ashley; and Men’s Two-Person Dinghy, NZers Peter Burling, Karl Evans); and Track & Field (Women’s Discus Final; Men’s 200m Round 2; Women’s Pole Vault Final; and Women’s 800m Final).

Tuesday 19 August - Day 11: Men’s Triathlon; Men’s Hockey (NZ v Germany); Beach Volleyball (Women’s Semi-finals); Canoe/Kayak; Synchronised Swimming (Duet Free Routine, NZers Nina and Lisa Daniels); Diving (Men’s 3m Springboard Final); Trampoline (Men’s Final); Football (Men’s Semi-final); Sailing (Men’s and Women’s Single-handed Dinghy, NZers Andrew Murdoch, Jo Aleh); Track & Field (Women’s 5000m Round 1; Men’s 200m Semi-finals; and Men’s 1500m Final).

Wednesday 20 August - Day 12: Cycling (BMX); Beach Volleyball (Men’s Semi-finals); Waterpolo (Men’s Quarter-finals); Canoe/Kayak; Sailing (Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing Finals); Women’s Hockey Semi-finals; and Track & Field (Men’s 5000m Round 1, NZer Adrian Blencoe; and Men’s 200m Final).

Thursday 21 August - Day 13: Taekwondo Finals; Cycling (BMX Semi-finals); Swimming (Men’s 10k; and Marathon); Beach Volleyball (Women’s Medal Matches); Sailing (Men’s Keelboat Star Race, NZers Hamish Pepper, Carl Williams); Equestrian (Individual Jumping Final Round); Diving (Women’s 10m Platform Final); Track & Field (Women’s 1500m Semi-finals; Men’s 800m Final; Men’s 400m Final; Women’s 200m Final; and Women’s 4 x 400m Relay Round 1).

Friday 22 August - Day 14: Track & Field (Men’s 50km Walk); Beach Volleyball (Men’s Medal Matches); Cycling (Mountain Bike - Women’s Cross-country); Canoe/Kayak; Hockey (Women’s Medal Matches); Table Tennis (Women’s Singles Gold); Track & Field (Women’s 5000m Final; Women’s Long Jump Final; Men’s Pole Vault Final; Men’s 4 x 1400m Relay Round 2; Women’s 4 x 100m Relay Final).

Times are subject to change. Visit tvnz.co.nz/Olympics for up-to-date information.

Dancing With The Stars charity donations 2008

Provisional amounts have shown that $210,398.30 was raised for charity this year in TV ONE’s hit show Dancing With The Stars.

Dancing With The Stars winner Temepara George’s chosen charity, Autism New Zealand, will receive $90,516.51. The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, the charity represented by 2008 series runner-up Monty Betham, will receive $66,404.72 and semi-finalist Miriama Smith’s charity, KidsCan, will receive $22,575.80.

Cory Hutchings’ charity, Surf Life Saving, will receive $15,396.18; Tina Cross’ Hospice New Zealand $7866.45; Martin Devlin’s Decision Reach Out Trust $4139.20; Peter Urlich’s 0800 What’s Up (The Kids Help Foundation Trust) $2989.47; and Geeling Ng’s Breast Cancer Research Trust $509.97.

The money was collected through the public-vote mechanism in Dancing With The Stars. *

Jane Wilson, TVNZ General Manager of Programming, says four years of spectacular ratings shows Dancing With The Stars is a national favourite - this year’s final was the highest rating final in three years, with 928,000 viewers (AP 5+).

“We’d like to thank everyone involved in the show for their incredible commitment and enthusiasm, everyone who watched the series, and all those who voted - together these people have made Dancing With The Stars an overwhelming success for four years in a row.”

Dancing With The Stars has now raised more than $1.3 million for New Zealand charities.

Dancing with the Stars is a BBC Worldwide format.

* After telecommunications and service provider charges are taken out of the cost of voting, all remaining money goes to the contestants’ nominated charities. TVNZ does not retain any money from the viewers’ votes. The text and phone votes are tallied up by an independent service aggregator company, not TVNZ or the series producers. The voting system is based on the international format for Dancing With The Stars, and combines 50 per cent of the judges’ vote and 50 per cent of the viewers’ vote to give the final result.

Beijing Olympics TV coverage in HD through Freeview

Freeview will be giving Kiwis access to the Olympics in high definition and 5.1 surround sound* on TV ONE, coupled with unprecedented 24/7 coverage on Freeview channel 20 – TVNZ Sport Extra.

Steve Browning, GM of Freeview, comments: “More than 4 billion people are expected to watch the Olympic Games in Beijing, which will comprise 302 events in 28 sports. So with the depth and breadth of competitions available to enjoy, there’s never been a better time to get Freeview|HDTM, particularly with the hardware options growing by the week”.

The recent launch of Sony’s BRAVIA V and W series televisions were the first of the new line-up of integrated digital TVs with Freeview|HDTM built-in. This was swiftly followed by the introduction of the premium Sharp AQUOS D84X series integrated digital TVs. And more integrated televisions are expected shortly from other leading consumer electronics manufacturers. These compelling new products eliminate multiple remotes, extra cables and simplify installation because there is no requirement for a separate digital receiver to receive the Freeview|HDTM service.

For viewers who already have an HD capable television, Freeview is pleased to announce the launch of the second Freeview|HDTM digital receiver, the HT3000 from Homecast. This is yet another great option to get the best Olympic TV seat in the house, access to at least 9 TV and 2 radio services, and the full digital experience with no monthly fees and no contract.

And for those people not sure whether they can receive Freeview|HDTM, an innovative and easy to use Google maps tool has been added to the Freeview website www.freeviewnz.tv to help viewers check whether they are within coverage by simply entering their street address.

The Freeview|HDTM service is currently available to around 75 per cent of New Zealand homes via UHF transmission. Homes outside these areas can still enjoy the benefits of digital TV, including two channels of Olympics coverage, with the purchase of a Freeview satellite receiver, and satellite dish if required.

TV One News experiences growth

ONE News at 6pm has recorded its ninth consecutive month of year-on-year growth.

TVNZ’s flagship bulletin was watched by an average of 651,400 viewers (5+) each night in July 2008, 43% more than the 373,100 watching 3 News during the same period.

ONE News also grew its Auckland 25-54 audience by more than 10% compared with July 2007, winning the Auckland 25-54 demographic back from TV3 for the first month since April 2005.

July was also the second consecutive month the audience for ONE News surpassed 650,000, viewership not seen for two years.

Ratings for July 2008 show that ONE News increased its audience by 24,600 viewers compared with July 2007. TV3’s audience dropped year-on-year by 27,700 viewers in the same period.

ONE News’ July growth included a significant increase in the 18-49 demographic. ONE News gained 5,600 18-49 year-old viewers in July 2008, compared with July 2007, while 3 News lost 16,200 18-49 year-old viewers in the same period.

TVNZ Head of News and Current Affairs Anthony Flannery says the on-going growth is a tribute to the quality and commitment of the ONE News team.

“Our goal is to provide New Zealanders with the best possible news service, anytime and anywhere,” Flannery said.

“It is fantastic to see New Zealanders continuing to turn to ONE News in ever increasing numbers. With the Beijing Games, and the New Zealand Election ahead, Kiwis can be assured we will continue to bring them the news they need to know.”

Daily current affairs programme Close Up also had a strong July, increasing its lead over Campbell Live from 52% (July 2007) to 58%, and adding 31,700 viewers. The majority of this growth (73%) came from urban centres.

Power of 10 new game show on TV3

“Power of 10 is going to be the biggest-money game show in the history of television, and I really hope someone wins the US$10 million.” - Drew Carey.

This week 3 proudly premieres one of the most exciting new game shows since Deal or No Deal; Power of 10 premieres Wednesday, August 13th at 7:30 on TV3.

Power of 10 Host Drew Carey

Hosted by Drew Carey (Whose Line is it Anyway?, The Drew Carey Show), Power of 10 reaches out all across America to poll thousands of people and ask them just about everything, yielding questions like “What percentage of Americans said they were virgins the day they got married?” and “How many Americans believe they are smarter than the president?”

Each week, contestants find out whether they have their finger on the pulse of the people and can accurately predict the results of the nationwide surveys. With the first question worth $1,000 and only five questions to answer, each one increasing 10 times in value, the contestant who has the best take on the American mind-set could walk away with a $10 million payday!

This concept proved interesting enough for Carey to return to television with another game show after swearing off them after Whose Line is it Anyway?

“I would have been quite happy to never, ever be on another TV game show,” Carey says, “but this sounded so interesting to me, I said I’d do it. It was a big thing that [Who Wants to be a Millionaire? executive producer] Michael Davies was doing it, and I think people who watch it will rethink what they believe America believes.”

Carey also said that since he does not know the answers to the questions, he gets to “play along with the contestants,” for whom he has often has much empathy.

“I feel for people when they play the game. I want them to win, and I want to help them make the right decision. I guess that shows through,” he says.

“You don’t want to cheat anyone out of their opportunity to make money, but if somebody’s making a guess that’s so far off, you kind of have to go, ‘Whoa! Don’t blow it!’

And with US$10 million on the line it’s certainly easy to lose your nerve and “blow it”. Let’s hope our first bunch of contestants won’t have that problem when Power of 10 premieres on Wednesday, August 13th at 7:30 on TV3.

Under the Mountain Feature Film starts shooting

Under the Mountain, the motion picture adaptation of the popular, award-winning Maurice Gee novel of the same name, will begin principal photography on Monday August 11, 2008. The film’s locations around Auckland, include the iconic Rangitoto Island, a volcano in the Hauraki Gulf. The production will conclude in early October 2008.

The film will be released in New Zealand in 2009 by Walt Disney Studio Pictures.

Under the Mountain is produced by Jonathan King and Matthew Grainger of Index Films Limited and Richard Fletcher of Liberty Films Limited. Chris Hampson, Chris Bailey and Trevor Haysom (In My Father’s Den) are the Executive Producers.

Jonathan King is directing Under the Mountain, from a screenplay adaptation written by himself and Matthew Grainger. Jonathan King most recently directed and wrote the hit kiwi film Black Sheep which won four international awards, grossed more than $NZ800,000 in New Zealand, $NZ2million in the United Kingdom and sold to 49 international territories.

Under the Mountain is a dark fantasy adventure story about teenage twins who battle dark forces hidden beneath Auckland’s volcanoes.

“I want to deliver a scary and exciting adventure for teenage audiences,” says Jonathan King. “The story will contrast a contemporary Auckland city setting with a fantastic subterranean world beneath.”

The creature effects will be produced by Academy Award® winner Richard Taylor’s Weta Workshop in Wellington, New Zealand. Weta Workshop was responsible for effects in the Academy Award® winning Lord of the Rings films and King Kong, as well as Jonathan King’s earlier Black Sheep.

Jonathan reunites with Black Sheep Director of Photography, Richard Bluck and the film features the work of Production Designers Kim Sinclair and Ralph Davies, Editor Chris Plummer (Dean Spanley) and Composer Victoria Kelly (Out of the Blue). Kelly’s original score for Under the Mountain will be performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the second of their sponsorships of local films.

Sam Neill (Dean Spanley) stars as the benevolent Mr. Jones and Oliver Driver (Black Sheep) will take the role of the evil Mr Wilberforce. Under the Mountain’s cast introduces two exciting young newcomers, Sophie McBride as Rachel and Tom Cameron as Theo. The 28-member Kiwi cast also includes well-known New Zealand actors Nathaniel Lees, Madelaine Sami and Matt Sunderland.

Maurice Gee is one of New Zealand’s most distinguished novelists. In 1979, Under the Mountain (Penguin) was his first novel written and published for teenage readers. The book has sold more than 70,000 copies and has often featured in the New Zealand school curriculum.

Post production will take place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.

Investors include New Zealand Film Commission through Film Fund 2, New Zealand on Air, Footprint Films, 120 dB Films, Ally Media Finance, TVNZ in addition to significant international pre-sales.

International sales are being handled by Kathleen Drumm of NZ Film.

Tongan King’s coronation live on TVNZ 7

The event of the year in the South Pacific will be this week’s coronation of the King of Tonga, and TVNZ has arranged coverage befitting a Royal occasion.

Pacific Correspondent for One News, Barbara Dreaver, will report the numerous activities as a Kingdom celebrates the crowning of the new King, George Tupou the Fifth.

The Coronation Ceremony will be seen live on TVNZ 7 from just after nine o’clock on Friday morning, 1st of August.

This will also be streamed live on TVNZ’s website, tvnz.co.nz, keyword “coronation”, available internationally.

TV ONE will have delayed coverage of the Coronation Ceremony following Friday’s Midday News.

One News on Friday night will feature coverage of the Coronation Ceremony and other events with Barbara Dreaver reporting live from Nuku’alofa.

TVNZ’s Tagata Pasifika will also be presenting two special programmes reporting the momentous events from Coronation week in its normal scheduled time slot on the 7th and 14th of August.

The Pacific Islands will also share live coverage of the Coronation Ceremony, relayed by satellite to viewers throughout the region by TVNZ’s Pacific Service.

Beijing Olympics TV Coverage Week one

Let the Games begin! Geoff Bryan and Peter Williams will be presenting the 2008 Summer Olympics LIVE from Beijing.

Events to watch on TV ONE during the first week will include:

Saturday 9 August - Day One: highlights from the Opening Ceremony; Beach Volleyball; Women’s Basketball (NZ v Malawi); Cycling; Rowing heats (Men’s and Women’s Single Sculls, NZers Emma Twigg, Mahe Drysdale; Men’s and Women’s Pairs, NZers Juliette Haigh and Nicky Coles, George Bridgewater and Nathan Twaddle; Double Sculls, NZers Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell, Nathan Cohen and Rob Waddell; and the Men’s Fours); Swimming heats (Women’s 400m Individual Medley, NZer Helen Norfolk; and Men’s 100m Breaststroke, NZer Glenn Snyders); Women’s Football (NZ v Norway); and Sailing highlights from Day One.

Sunday 10 August - Day Two: Women’s Hockey (NZ v Japan); Swimming Finals; Beach Volleyball Prelims; Rowing heats; Cycling; Diving; Women’s Synchronised Swimming Final; Men’s Football (NZ v Brazil); and Swimming heats (Women’s 100m Backstroke, NZers Liz Coster, Melissa Ingram; and Men’s 4 x 100m Relay).

Monday 11 August - Day Three: Swimming Finals; Women’s Basketball (NZ v Spain); Equestrian (Cross-country, Team and Individual); Men’s Hockey (NZ v Korea); Rowing (Single Sculls Quarter-finals, NZers Emma Twigg, Mahe Drysdale); Swimming heats (Men’s 200m Butterfly, NZer Moss Burmester; and Women’s 200m Individual Medley, NZer Helen Norfolk).

Tuesday 12 August - Day Four: Swimming Finals; Gymnastics (Men’s Team Final); Weightlifting (Men’s 69kg, NZer Mark Spooner); Diving (Women’s 10m Plat); Synchronised Swimming Final; Rowing; Canoe/Kayak; Sailing highlights; Football; Equestrian (Team Eventing Jump Final); Women’s Hockey (NZ v Germany); Swimming heats (Men’s 200m Breaststroke, NZer Glenn Synders); and Women’s Football (NZ v USA).

Wednesday 13 August - Day Five: Swimming Final; Gymnastics (Women’s Team Final); Weightlifting (Men’s 77kg, NZer Richard Patterson); Cycling; Women’s Basketball (NZ v China); Men’s Hockey (NZ v Spain); Road Cycling; Rowing Semi-finals (Women’s Single Scull, Men’s Pairs, Men’s Fours, Men’s Double Sculls); Swimming heats (Men’s 200m Individual Medley, NZer Dean Kent); and Men’s Football (NZ v Belgium).

Thursday 14 August - Day Six: Swimming Finals; Gymnastics (Men’s Individual); Men’s Hockey (NZ v Spain); Rowing Finals; Canoe/Kayak (Women’s K1 Slalom, NZer Luuka Jones); Swimming heats (Men’s 100m Butterfly, NZer Moss Burmester; Women’s 200m Backstroke, NZer Melissa Ingram); and Hockey (NZ v Great Britain).

Friday 15 August - Day Seven: Track & Field (including Men’s 100m heats and Women’s 800m heats); Swimming; Women’s Basketball (NZ v Czech Republic); Gymnastics (Women’s Individual All-round Final); Track Cycling (Men’s Individual Pursuit, NZer Hayden Roulston; and Women’s Individual Pursuit, NZer Alison Shanks); and Track & Field (including Men’s 1500m heats, NZer Nick Willis; Women’s Discus, NZer Beatrice Faumuina; and Women’s 10,000m, NZer Kimberley Smith).