06 September 2008
Listings stand-off for TVNZ’s new channel
28 February 2008
By Alice Neville
TVNZ’s new digital service has hit a major snag, with most publications refusing to print programme listings for Freeview channels.
TVNZ spokespeople were reluctant to discuss the issue but Juliet Jensen, programming manager for TVNZ7, the latest Freeview channel, suggested this was a choice made by the editors of individual publications.
The real reason, however, is more complex, according to publishing sources.
TVNZ is the only network which makes magazine and newspaper publishers pay to print seven-day listings for TV One and TV2, with Sky and Prime providing listings free.
While TV3 and C4 owner CanWest does ask for payment, publishers ignore this, knowing that it would be ratings suicide for the smaller channels to pull their listings.
TVNZ’s status at the top of New Zealand television ratings means it is able to demand and receive payment. Publishers know that their publications need the listings of the country’s two biggest channels, so are forced to pay.
How contentious the listings dispute is has become clear since the launch of Freeview.
TVNZ needs people to watch its new channels – currently only five per cent of households have access – so are providing free listings for publication.
Many publishers, however, including New Zealand Herald and Listener publisher APN, are refusing to print Freeview listings in response to TVNZ demanding payment for TV One and TV2 listings.
Popular weekly magazine TV Guide, published by Fairfax, does print listings for the currently screening Freeview channels. A spokesperson would not confirm that listings for new channel TVNZ7 would be printed, saying only: “We’re working on it.”
