freeview factsheet

Fact Sheet

www.freeviewnz.tv

Phone +64 9 916 6884 Fax +64 9 916 7897 Address 100 Victoria Street West, PO Box 3819, Auckland, New Zealand Web www.freeviewnz.tv

Freeview Limited

Freeview is coming … The following Q&A document is intended to serve as a summary of our progress towards making Freeview a reality. Freeview will launch in early May (on satellite) with the above-the-line advertising campaign starting late April. The terrestrial service (via aerial) is currently scheduled for the first quarter of 2008. I hope this note is helpful to you. Any questions it raises please email to [email protected] Regards, Steve Browning General Manager Freeview Limited


Freeview Limited

What is Digital TV?

Until now, the pictures on television seen by the majority of New Zealanders have been by virtue of analogue transmission.

This has been the way since television was first broadcast.

Now, for the first time, there is a new era in television:

New Zealanders will be able to watch their favourite programmes in crystal clear, high resolution, digital quality for free.

Why is this happening?

At some time in the next 6-10 years, the current analogue service will be ‘switched off’. Freeview is being launched now to start the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Digital television and radio is available around the world and Freeview is here to ensure all New Zealanders have the opportunity to experience it.

When is your launch date?

Early May. Freeview is set to usher in a new era of broadcasting in this country. It will be free for all Kiwis, providing digital quality pictures and sound and your favourite TV programmes.

Who and what is Freeview?

Freeview is a new television and radio platform that is backed by a consortium of broadcasters consisting of TVNZ, CanWest MediaWorks, Maori Television and Radio New Zealand.

It exists to promote access to the very best in high resolution, digital quality pictures & sound with no monthly fees and no contracts.

It will initially include the following channels: TV ONE, TV2, TV3, C4, Maori Television and also Radio New Zealand National and Concert.

Freeview is the consumer brand that aggregates the channel offering and operates the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). It does not operate TV or radio channels. The broadcasters decide what channels and programmes they will transmit. Later in the year, it is expected that more channels will be added to the Freeview service.

Freeview does not provide transmission services. Kordia (formally Broadcast Communications Limited) is the primary provider of transmission services for all broadcasters. TVNZ and CanWest MediaWorks have contracted for transmission services from Kordia. However they each retain their own capacity on both the satellite and terrestrial platforms.


Freeview Limited

Who can get free digital TV?

All New Zealanders can get Freeview.

Once you have purchased the set top box or a digital TV fitted with a Freeview tuner, installed a satellite dish or UHF aerial (if you do not already have one), your favourite television programmes are free.

You will not have to replace your current TV. The set top box converts the digital signal so you can see Freeview on your existing TV.

What does Freeview deliver?

Firstly, it will make bad reception a thing of the past.

And it will allow all New Zealanders access to their favourite television and national radio, teletext and captions, in crystal clear, digital quality for free.

Freeview approved products also include the ability to access interactive TV content, automatically scan for new channels and include a free eight day Electronic Programme Guide known as the Freeview EPG.

What do I need?

Freeview does not sell set top boxes, digital televisions or installations, but it does certify boxes to ensure quality and accredit retailers who wish to promote Freeview and sell compatible products.

Once you have an approved set top box or digital television you can access Freeview from either an aerial for the terrestrial service or a dish for the satellite service. Freeview Satellite is being launched in May 2007 and Freeview Terrestrial in early 2008.

What are your sales projections?

We have realistic expectations, in fact they are modest. We see take-up starting slowly and then tracking upwards over time as new channels and services are added and the range of consumer devices that include Freeview tuners increases. For example the continuing popularity of flat screen TV’s will help drive take-up as people look to maximise the picture quality of these large, high resolution screens. Anyone who has poor analogue reception will benefit immediately.

Why are you deploying two separate technologies (DTH and DTT)?

The hybrid (dual networks) platform approach has been adopted to provide New Zealanders with a choice of digital access options. Satellite will provide 100% national coverage, while terrestrial will initially be available to 75% of the population. This provides consumers different cost of entry options and ultimately more choice.


Freeview Limited

Are there any plans to offer recordable technology e.g. TiVo and MySky type personal video recorders (PVRs)?

We are committed to providing New Zealanders with the best technology solutions available, so we will at some time in the next twelve months look to certify a Freeview PVR.

How will viewers’ geographical location alter the quality of their reception?

25% of people throughout the country struggle to receive a good quality picture via an aerial. Freeview will facilitate a 100% level playing field and give all New Zealanders the ability to access great quality digital television and radio for free.

Digital television is now successful in the UK but had some issues in the beginning. Do you think New Zealand will follow this pattern?

Quite simply, the time is right. Large, flat screen televisions demand a much higher quality broadcast signal and these simply weren’t around when digital television was launched in the UK in the late 90’s. So now, technology and affordability have converged and New Zealanders can join other OECD countries in enjoying free-to-air digital television and radio.

How many channels will Freeview have?

Contrary to numbers that have been reported in the media, the number of channels will be determined by the respective broadcasters. TVNZ and CanWest MediaWorks have leased capacity via Kordia for satellite transmission, and have been allocated spectrum for terrestrial transmission. As mentioned above Kordia also has capacity on satellite and terrestrial which they will wholesale to other free to air broadcasters.

We will initially be launching with TV ONE, TV2, TV3, C4, Maori Television and Radio New Zealand National and Concert.

How do the public find out more?

From mid April visit www.freeviewnz.tv, call 0800-Freeview, or ask a sales person at any Freeview accredited appliance retailer.

Phone +64 9 916 6884 Fax +64 9 916 7897 Address 100 V ictoria Street W est, PO Box 3819, A uc kland, N ew Zealand Web ww w .freeview nz.tv

www.kiwiantennas.co.nz

Freeview Limited

ShareholdersTelevision New Zealand CanWest Media Works Maori Television Service Radio New Zealand

Freeview Limited (Limited Liability Company)

Incorporated Joint Venture

– Board / Governance structure – Defines rules for entry/exit of broadcasters on platform – Defined scope of business activity – HR / Employee Function

Financials

– Funded by Shareholders – Service Providers & Government

– Retailers – Distributors – Installers of Consumer Electronics

Management contract for day-to-day operations:

– Marketing Communications – Electronic Programme Guide – Product testing, development & approval – Managing & maintaining technical standards

Broadcaster “Service Agreements ”:

– TVNZ - TV ONE , TV2 – Can W est MediaWorks - TV3, C 4 – Maori Television – Radio New Zealand National; Concert

Op en to all Free to air broadcasters

Content Providers Day-to-day Management

Supply Chain Partnerships

Structure and scope of activity…

freeview factsheet

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