Eight regional TV stations suggested

Press, 14 April 1984, Page 8

Eight regional TV stations suggested

t PA Auckland The TV3 consortium said yesterday that if it secures a warrant for private television it could ultimately set up seven or eight community stations aimed at ’ the regional television market. The consortium’s chairman, Mr Don Clark, said he believed that most areas of New Zealand would be capable of receiving the lowpower television transmis'sions planned by TV3. He said the consortium .would eventually cover seven or eight areas, depending on the outcome of rhe application for the private television warrant. Mr Clark was named chairman at a formal launching of the consortium £in Auckland yesterday. The managing director of TV3, Mr Tom Parkinson, isaid that by- using -loyp£s>ower Sand comthlinities'cbuld bear , 'the cost of &ttltig , ’ujMa' ■ station. ■ ?? ! ’ a The bill for a station with transmitters, translators, presentation, news and sports facilities, and a small studio would be less than $1.5 million. Five more TVNZ executives would join TV3, said Mr Parkinson. “We have six producers who will come to us,” he said. “All but one are from TVNZ, but they do not all come from the light entertainment department. You need sales and marketing and other skills as well.” Mr Parkinson said that TV3, drawing on the experience and facilities of the three companies backing

the project Kerridge Odeon, Radio Pacific, and Visionhire Holdings — would have “more show business savvy” than its public service competitor. The consortium will set

up a limited liability company, with each of the backers holding 20 per cent of the shares, the producers 15 per cent, with the remaining 25 per cent being available to the public.