Why is Māori Television launching a second channel?

  

A second channel provides greater opportunity for Māori Television to more effectively fulfil its statutory objectives, particularly with regard to increasing the promotion of language and culture.

The Māori Television Service Act 2003 requires that Māori Television promote te reo and tikanga Māori in both Māori and English, and to appeal to a broad audience. We believe that we are achieving this with the existing channel which is steadily increasing audience and earning widespread public support for its programming.

However, we are of the view that more can be done to meet the needs of the channel’s core constituents (Māori) if we are to contribute to increasing Māori language fluency levels. A second channel dedicated to te reo Māori during prime time, the time when most people are available to watch television, will enable us to better support the goals of the Māori Language Strategy to increase language fluency.

We also believe that a second channel will assist to prevent the marginalisation of Māori Television within a digital environment that is likely to see a proliferation of new channels in New Zealand.

Who is the target audience for the new channel?

  

Fluent Māori speakers and Māori language learners, and for those who are seeking full immersion Māori language households.

What impact do you expect the new channel to have on the existing channel?

  

The impact on the existing channel is considered to be minimal. The philosophy is to not significantly change the programming schedule and operation of the existing channel, as it has proven to be a very successful formula to date with audience numbers continuing to grow. It is envisaged that the reo content is likely to increase incrementally on the main channel, particularly as Māori language programming from the second channel is to be sub-titled into English and broadcast on the existing channel.

Fulfilling our statutory function of broadcasting to a broad viewing audience in both Māori and English, and in the process promoting te reo Māori me ngā tikanga Māori, remains a high priority for Māori Television. However, the advent of the second channel will ensure that the core constituents of Māori Television continue to have their Māori language expectations met, without adversely impacting on the broad audience that has been developed to date.

Will te reo Māori content on the existing channel be impacted?

  

There will be no reduction in te reo content on the existing channel. Our intention is to grow te reo content on the existing channel to at least 60% across the schedule (up from the current 55%).

The new channel, which will be dedicated to showcasing the promoting the language, will be 100% te reo Māori.

Through both channels we are providing an even higher profile for te reo Māori, particularly during prime time hours.

How will the new channel transmit?

  

The new channel will transmit via Freeview. The advent of Freeview has created the possibility for this second channel; without Freeview this initiative would not be happening.

  

What will the programme schedule include?

  

We are well advanced in our planning for the second channel, which will broadcast a mix of new content and existing library content.

With a strong reo Māori programming schedule on the existing channel up to 7.30pm, the second channel will allow viewers to continue watching Māori language programming on the second channel throughout prime time from 7.30pm until 10.30pm closedown. 100% te reo Māori programming, in primetime, is a key deliverable for the second channel.

The second channel will also incorporate an ‘Iwi Access’ component, whereby iwi will be invited to provide iwi specific programming for broadcast. This will contribute to the fulfilment of a key strategic priority for Māori Television of strengthening engagement and relationships with iwi Māori and providing a means of various Māori dialects to be broadcast.

What are the key features of the new channel?

  

§          Broadcasts three hours per day, seven days per week, from 7.30pm-10.30pm. On air hours will increase over time.

§          100% te reo Māori.

§          Advertising-free.

§          Schedule space available to iwi to provide iwi-specific news programmes.

§          Schedule will comprise 90% local programmes.

§          30-45% of the schedule is new programmes.

§          A particular focus on new programmes for the older, fluent audience.

§          All new programmes to be subtitled for second play on the existing channel.

§          Local and international documentaries reversioned into te reo Māori.

  

How many additional hours of programming will Māori Television broadcast?

  

The new channel will broadcast a total of 1,100 hours per year. We will also extend the schedule of our existing channel by an additional 500 hours, for total broadcast hours of 3,500 per year.

  

The combined result of the initiatives for both the existing channel and new channel will result in an increase in total annual transmission hours to 4,600 hours, an increase of 53% on current output.

How has it been funded?

  Funding for Māori Television’s digital strategy was confirmed in this year’s Budget announcement ($23 million over four years). This additional funding was not just to cover this new channel but also enhancements to our existing channel plus inflation adjustment to our current funding.     

The new channel is not incurring significant additional cost because we are able to utilize existing infrastructure at Māori Television, such as broadcast facilities, television technology and staffing resource and most of the new programmes for the second channel will also be utilized by the existing channel.

Additionally, transmission costs will be covered by the Government funding to the Freeview consortium, of which we are a member. This means no cost to Māori Television.

Although it is not possible to quantify the exact additional cost of this new channel because of the use of existing infrastructure, it is estimated to cost in the order of $3m per annum.

  Ends