Freeview HD Launch Date Announced

* Please find attached the 'Freeview|HDTM Launch Date Announced' news release and media fact sheet.

PRESS RELEASE:
Monday, March 17th, 2008

Freeview|HDTM Launch Date Announced

Steve Browning, General Manager, Freeview, today announced that Kiwis' can look forward to HD capable Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) courtesy of the Freeview|HD(TM) service from 2nd April 2008.

"Freeview|HD(TM) is New Zealand's first high definition capable digital service and has the potential to dramatically alter the way in which Kiwis access and then enjoy television and radio programmes. It will provide crystal clear digital quality pictures and sounds on all channels with the added bonus of TVOne, TV2, and TV3 broadcast in a high definition format," he says.

"The Freeview satellite service made bad reception a thing of the past, delivering crystal clear standard definition pictures to over 80,000 homes since its launch in May 2007. The addition of the Freeview|HDTM service provides the option to access free-to-air digital television and radio via UHF aerial," he adds.

The Freeview|HDTM service will be available in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Napier, Hastings, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, or approximately 75% of New Zealand homes.

An official launch event for media and invited guests will take place in Wellington on Monday, 14th April, to mark this significant step in New Zealand broadcasting history.

The launch event will feature a HD broadcast of programmes kindly provided by Natural History New Zealand so those in attendance can experience, first hand, the digital experience that is Freeview|HDTM.

Freeview|HDTM digital terrestrial receivers can be purchased from New Zealand's leading appliance retailers from 2nd April 2008.

ENDS

080317_Freeview_HD_Media_Fact_Sheet.pdf

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