Freeview NZ achieves strongest result since launch

In a year that will most likely be remembered for the economic downturn, Freeview NZ has achieved its highest performing quarter since it launched in 2007.

The sales figures for the final three months of 2009 put the total number of households able to receive Freeview at 346,116. This figure combines the 189,708 Freeview satellite® homes (an increase of 11,791 from the last quarter) and 156,408 Freeview|HD® homes (an increase of 42,354 from the last quarter).

Freeview is now available in 21.6% of homes in New Zealand, an increase of 3.4% on the previous quarter, and can be attributed, in part, to the boost in sales of Freeview|HD® receivers, MyFreeview|HD® digital television recorders and Freeview|HD® integrated digital televisions.).

“These impressive quarterly figures, our best ever, indicate that New Zealanders are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of moving their viewing from analogue TV to Freeview-enabled digital TV,” says Sam Irvine, Freeview General Manager.

“We are also very pleased to announce the addition of Shine TV to Freeview. Shine TV will launch on April 1st on the Freeview satellite® platform. As always, we are committed to offering the best digital, free-to-air, viewing experience possible and this adds to our already exciting and diverse selection of channels,” adds Sam Irvine.

“Another example of the benefit of digital television is the recent launch of a dual audio option for Parliament TV. This enables the viewer to select an English interpretation when Maori is spoken from the floor of Parliament. The dual audio option is also available on 2 CTV8 where you can choose either a Cantonese or Mandarin language option for most programmes. ”

The availability of Prime on Freeview will also have an impact on driving New Zealand transition towards digital switch over as all national free-to-air channels are now on the platform.

A final decision on the official switch over date, as indicated by Minister of Broadcasting Dr. Coleman, will be made when digital television up-take reaches 75 percent of households, or in 2012, whichever occurs first.

“We know that Kiwis are benefiting from the impressive retail deals available on Freeview approved products, as the latest take up figures indicate they perceive Freeview as a good value home entertainment option.” adds Sam Irvine.

“Retailers around the country continue to provide us with feedback that Kiwis are really attracted to the sort of priceless entertainment that Freeview provides, that is a one-off cost and no monthly subscription. With all of that in mind, our continued growth prospects look very positive.” he concludes.