TV reception seen as threatened

Press, 2 September 1986, Page 6

TV reception seen as threatened

PA Auckland Remote communities will tese television reception if third channel applicants get tee frequencies they seek, tee Broadcasting Tribunal has been told. Counsel for the Broadcasting Corporation. Mr Barry Hudson, said the applicants had disregarded T.V.N.Z. services in planning their own technical requirements. "There is nothing to suggest teat the applicants or their technical advisers have given any consideration to the existing services and the future extensions o* these,” he said. "The applicants are, in

effect, attempting to alter tee esmrotiineni rather than being prepared to accept warrants within tee present environments.” Mr Hudson said people in remote areas were being ignored. “There are about 500 communities and at least 7 per cent of the population who are simply being bumped off the frequencies.” he said. The applicants gave no evidence that teeir proposed technical changes would make good tee costs to the present system. Counsel for several of the applicants referred to previous evidence concerning frequencies.

Mr David Baragwanate. Q.C.. for E.S.T.V.. said: “When tee corporation is clinging limpet-like to frequencies from which the public interest requires it to step aside, teen it must be elbowed aside.” After the B.CNZ. sabmisaons. the Mayor of Harmiam, Mr Ross Jansen. was called as a witness by U.T.C. He said Hamilton was the most suitable base for televises services in Region 2. The Mayor New Plymouth, Mr David Lean, also called by U.T.C. gave his support to a Region 2 ptan which included New Plymouth and Taranaki. Waikato and Bay of Plenty.