Test matches by satellite

Press, 15 July 1976, Page 13

Test matches by satellite

All four test matches of the 1976 All Blacktour of South Africa • will be transmitted live by satellite so New i Zealanders can watch • the action as it hap- | pens. The dates of the four I tests are: July 24, at Durban. August 14, at Bloemfoni tein. September 4, at Capei town.

September 18, at Johannesburg.

Television One says transmission will begin in New Zealand on the nights of the test matches half an hour before play is due to begin. On Sunday, July 25. transmission will begin at 12.45 a.m. with highlights of the previous Saturday’s match of the tour. The test match itself is due to begin at 1.15 a.m. Sunday morning, and the commentator will be Bill McCarthy. Each test match will be

replayed in full in “The Big Match” slot on Sunday from TVI at 12.30 p.m.

Television One has arranged for videotape and filmed highlights of all other matches of the All Blacks’ tour. Packages will be sent air cargo to New Zealand and TVI has arranged a secret route that will by-pass the ban on South African cargo imposed in Australia by the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

Viewers can expect to see coverage of the

matches, other than tests, one week after they have been played. Thus, a match played in South Africa on Wednesday, of one week, will be viewed on TVI on the following Wednesday, a week later.

The commentator for the three later tests will be Keith Quinn, who will fly to South Africa as soon as he has completed his assignment at the Montreal Olympics commentating on track and field events.