TVNZ Signs with Google for new channel on YouTube

TVNZ Signs with Google for new channel on YouTube

TVNZ has signed up to a groundbreaking partnership with Google to bring TVNZ content to YouTube – another New Zealand first for the national broadcaster.

The non-exclusive partnership will create a branded TVNZ 'channel' on YouTube, offering a range of New Zealand-made short video material from current programming and the archive, reflecting the style of content popular with YouTube users.

As with all other content on YouTube, video content will be interactive, and users will be able to comment on clips, rate them, recommend them to friends and add them as favourites.

It will launch today. www.youtube.com/tvnz
The partnership is the first business relationship of this kind in Australasia, and follows closely on a similar arrangement announced last month between YouTube and the BBC.

It will give international exposure to TVNZ local content, and act as a "brochure" for TVNZ's other onlines sites – TVNZ ondemand and tvnz.co.nz.

TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis says the move is another significant step in the company's strategy of "Inspiring New Zealanders on Every Screen".

"For us it accomplishes some very important things in terms of public value. It allows New Zealand talent and identity to be seen outside our own country, and it establishes yet another platform where TVNZ programming is going to be available to a whole new group of people, whenever they want it."

Mr Ellis said a TVNZ presence on YouTube was a significant win in terms of profile.

"TVNZ is New Zealand broadcasting's strongest local content provider, and to have our branded channel on YouTube is recognition of their pulling power in finding new audiences for major players".

The initial content on the TVNZ 'channel' will range from Mai Time features to stories from 20/20, ONE News, the Sunday exclusive with Keisha Castle-Hughes and 'chat' segments with the stars of Shortland St.

ENDS

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