Switch to TV2

Press, 13 February 1987, Page 16

Switch to TV2

Sir, — I wish to commend Mr Cains of Charwell Forks (February 5) for highlighting the plight of children in some country districts who are disadvantaged by the switch of children’s programmes to TV2. One district affected is the Kaituna Valley, in Marlborough, where over 50 households cannot get TV2. I understand that, despite an updated translater, there are a number of homes in Havelock that cannot get it either. Children in these areas are unable to attend kindergarten and parents rely heavily on such programmes as “Play School,” “Sesame Street,” and “3-2-1 — Contact.” “Days of Our Lives” — considered unsuitable viewing in school holiday time — is a poor substitute. It is difficult to explain to disappointed 3-year-olds that, despite paying a full licence fee, and providing our own expensive landlines to distant aerials, their favourite programme is not on. It is just “not on.” — Yours, etc., NANCY FARNELL. Okaramio, February 9, 1987.

Sir,—lt is an appalling decision to take the children’s programmes away from the areas that really need them. They are essential to many rural areas for pre-school education where there are very limited resources and, of course, no TV2 signal. Let the lucky ones, who receive both signals, choose their programmes by pushing the channel button on their television sets but give us unfortunates back our children’s education. — Yours, etc., WENDY WHITEHEAD. Maruia, 6 February 9, 1987.