MIPTV, Cannes - The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the winners of the International Digital Emmy Awards which took place in Cannes, April 12, at a ceremony organized in partnership with Reed MIDEM and hosted by actor Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210, Call Me Fitz). New Zealand made history by winning its first International Emmy. It took the Digital Program: Children & Young People category with Reservoir Hill, an interactive web series that follows 16-year-old … [Read more...] about New Zealand wins first International Emmy Award
New Zealand
TV5MONDE launches online in New Zealand
Hong Kong - French-speaking generalist network TV5MONDE has launched on New Zealand's newest WebTV platform, Ziln. Access to TV5MONDE Pacific will be limited to NZ users only. "We've been following the progress of Ziln for almost two years, and we're glad that their launch coincides with the next phase of our development in the Pacific region," comments Alexandre Muller, managing director Asia. In addition, TV5MONDE has launched a new feed targeting Australasia on September 5. The NZ broadband … [Read more...] about TV5MONDE launches online in New Zealand
BBC Worldwide new titles head to New Zealand
Major drama, natural history and factual titles make up a swathe of BBC Worldwide content licensed to New Zealand broadcasters in recent weeks. Landmark natural history series South Pacific (6 x 50'), much of which was filmed in and around New Zealand, will air on TVNZ. The national broadcaster has acquired two other major productions from the BBC's renowned Natural History Unit; Yellowstone (3 x 50'), about the national park that is one of the world's last great wildernesses, and Nature's Great … [Read more...] about BBC Worldwide new titles head to New Zealand
The WotWots launch at MIP Junior
The WotWots (52 x 10'), a new HD series for pre-schoolers from the Weta Workshop will be launched at MIP Junior by ABC Commercial. Weta Workshop is a New Zealand production company with an international reputation as a special effects studio, with Academy Awards for its work on King Kong and The Lord of the Rings. The WotWots' lead characters are brother and sister SpottyWot and DottyWot: small, puppet-like aliens who come to explore planet Earth in their steam-powered spaceship. They land in a … [Read more...] about The WotWots launch at MIP Junior
Disney and TVNZ announce free VOD agreement
Hong Kong/Auckland - The Walt Disney Company's international TV distribution arm, Disney-ABC International Television (Asia Pacific), and New Zealand's leading free-to-air broadcaster, TVNZ, announced a landmark agreement to make a selection of ad-supported US network series available on TVNZ's catch up TV service, TVNZ ondemand. These series will be available to viewers on-demand and free of charge just 12 hours after the local telecast on TV2. This marks the first time that US series will be … [Read more...] about Disney and TVNZ announce free VOD agreement
Playhouse Disney begins production on locally produced short-form series Alphabreaks
Sydney - Playhouse Disney Australia and New Zealand has started production on a short form series which introduces preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet with the help of musical instruments and original music. Conceived by Playhouse Disney's Australia and New Zealand local production team, Alphabreaks is due to premiere on Playhouse Disney Australia and New Zealand in 2008. Comprising 26 episodes, Alphabreaks encourages early-learning pre-literacy skills, while introducing preschoolers to … [Read more...] about Playhouse Disney begins production on locally produced short-form series Alphabreaks