Appendix 3: Digital terrestrial television coverage

The digital terrestrial network covers 75 per cent of the New Zealand population in nine main areas: Auckland, Waikato, Tauranga, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Kapiti, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Nine of the twenty regional television stations are within the current coverage footprint²¹: Triangle TV, Auckland; Chinese TV, Auckland; TV Hawkes Bay, tvCentral (Waikato and Bay of Plenty); Tararua TV, Pahiatua; Voice TV, Christchurch; Shine TV, Christchurch; CTV, Christchurch; Channel 9, Dunedin.

The Ministry of Economic Development has undertaken frequency planning for licences at a number of potential new transmission sites which could extend the current footprint to around 87 per cent of the population. The Ministry can provide licences during the transition period until DSO to the three existing licence holders, namely TVNZ, MediaWorks, and Kordia, but it is a matter for these parties to determine whether, when, and to what extent they wish to extend their current services. There are no indications that any geographic extensions are currently contemplated.

However, on the basis of population density and potential transmitter sites, extending the network beyond 75 per cent coverage up to 80 per cent coverage might add say three of the following four areas (all listed alphabetically): Nelson, Rotorua, Southland or Taranaki. Additional sites that could increase terrestrial coverage to 87 per cent include the above areas, Gisborne; some areas within Northland, Taupo, Wanganui; plus additional infill potential in Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington.

A small number of regional stations would still, however, be outside the terrestrial coverage footprint even if it was extended to cover 87 per cent of the population.

Footnote

²¹ A regional station within a terrestrial coverage area would still have to either lease digital capacity or establish “Freeview compatible” but separate transmission facilities.