Brand New with Tried-and-True
Funding allocated at NZ On Air's October meeting will ensure the needs of a widely diverse range of special interest television audiences are met in the year ahead.
Almost $7.8 million dollars of NZ On Air's Special Interest television budget was allocated at the October meeting, and that funding will support more than 186 hours of programming.
"The breadth of programming on offer is huge," said NZ On Air Chief Executive, Jane Wrightson. "Along with our returning series, we're pleased to be able to support a brand new series that will focus on migrant and refugee communities settling in New Zealand."
“Minority Voice introduces us to New Zealanders rarely seen on screen,” Ms Wrightson said. “Each week, through a collection of personal stories, a cross-section of migrant and refugee groups explore issues and share their experiences as new New Zealanders.
“It promises to be a fascinating insight into what it’s like to resettle your family within an entirely different culture.”
Returning to the screen next year are the highly successful series Attitude, Tagata Pasifika, Pacific Beat Street and Asia Downunder.
"We welcome the return of specialist series that have found a real resonance with the communities they serve," said Ms Wrightson.
The special interest stable is rounded out with the renewed funding for Rural Delivery, Praise Be and My God, along with the Young Farmer Contest and English subtitling for the Mori children’s show Pukana.
Jane Wrightson said that these types of programmes would not proceed in a commercial environment. NZ On Air ensures they do proceed, and that they screen on free-to-air channels that reach a nation-wide audience.
"We also make sure that they are available for rescreening on regional television channels at no charge after their first free-to-air broadcast, and that means an even larger audience has the opportunity to see them," said Ms Wrightson.
Ends
For further information:
Jane Wrightson
Chief Executive
NZ On Air
Tel: (04) 382 9524
Mob: (021) 226 4553
This media release is available at http://www.nzonair.govt.nz