Private TV inquiry unlikely, says P.M.

Press, 26 July 1983, Page 8

Private TV inquiry unlikely, says P.M.

PA Wellington The Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, yesterday poured cold water on a suggested Broadcasting Tribunal inquiry into setting up private television. The idea has caught the interest of the Minister of Broadcasting, Dr Shearer, but Mr Muldoon said it was “unlikely at this stage.” He said the caucus would discuss holding an inquiry “if there was such a proposal, but I don’t think that’s very likely.” The idea came last week from City Television’s managing director, Mr Andy Tyler, who has been lobbying for private television time.

Dr Shearer expressed interest in the proposal and said he would put it to the tribunal. But he added that

it would be unrealistic if the tribunal’s workload was too heavy. Speaking after a Cabinet discussion, Mr Muldoon also indicated he was in no hurry to satisfy new calls from private television companies. He had no idea if private television would be in place by the next General Election, scheduled for November, 1984. Part of the answer to that question depended “on those who wish to produce a service. They had the opportunity and they turned it down. That’s the current state of play,” he said. Mr Muldoon was referring to the decision by City Television and Northern Television to pull out of the race for morning broadcasts after the Broadcasting Corporation announced its charges for facilities —

$5.75 million for the first year, and $2.75 million for each year after that. Asked if he was surprised by the charges, Mr Muldoon said: “Nothing about the Broadcasting Corporation surprises me, very rarely at least.”

Mr Muldoon also said the Government had not yet determined the cost of broadcasting private television through Post Office facilities, instead of those of the Broadcasting Corporation.

That possibility was raised by the PostmasterGeneral, Mr Talbot, last week. Mr Muldoon said the matter would return to the caucus, but probably not this week. He said: “There is not very much the Post Office can do that the Broadcasting Corporation can’t do.”