Cable TV step closer

Press, 26 July 1989, Page 2

Cable TV step closer

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington

Another step towards cable television for main centres, including Christchurch, was made yesterday. The Minister of Commerce, Mr Butcher, and the Minister of Broadcasting, Mr Hunt, announced Americanowned Telecable Holdings, Ltd, had been given network operator status, to take effect in a month. This allows companies providing facilities for cable broadcasting to gain rights to construct and lay cables alongside, under or over public roads. Access is also allowed in certain limited circumstances to private land. Telecable Holdings is majority-owned by Mr Larry Hudson, an American who has set up 45 cable television stations in America.

A Wellington lawyer acting for Mr Hudson said his client had hoped to be in New Zealand for yesterday’s announcement. but could not get a flight. He is now expected to arrive next week. The granting of network operator status was a positive step towards providing cable television but much work and negotiation was still necessary, the lawyer said. No timetable has yet been made public on when New Zealanders can expect to receive cable television in their homes. Telecable Holdings had said it first intends to establish facilities in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Hamilton. Eventually up to half a million homes could become clients of the cable service.