TVNZ and SKY bring viewers in from the cold

SKY TV and TVNZ have announced the impending launch of Igloo - a service ‘set’ to improve television access for New Zealand audiences to digital free-to-air and pay TV.

Officially revealed to media last week, Igloo will formally launch early next year, to coincide with the switchover to digital, and provide free-to-air channels, pay-as-you SKY channels, pay-per-view sports, movies and TV episodes on demand.

CEO SKY TV, John Fellet, said Igloo has been designed to access a section of the population SKY currently leaves behind.

“These are people that may not be quite as engaged in their television as our SKY subscribers; they would be interested in paying something, but don’t want to go up to the full package that SKY offers.”

The service brings together two giants of broadcasting, with SKY Television holding 51%, and TVNZ 49% shares in the Igloo service.

Rick Ellis, CEO of TVNZ, said he is excited about the new joint venture.

“We want to get as much great content to New Zealanders as possible. Joining forces with SKY and launching Igloo allows us to do just that – it opens up more great shows and programmes to many more Kiwi households.”

Igloo will require no long-term contracts or installation costs. Although price is yet to be finalised, the set-top boxes are expected to retail for under $200. The unit plugs into a television and requires a UHF aerial.  

Thirty day access to 11 channels will be available for approximately $25. Channels include: Comedy Central, UKTV, Food TV, BBC World News and BBC Knowledge, MTV Hits, Kidzone24, National Geographic Channel, TVNZ Heartland, Animal Planet and Vibe.

Live pay-per-view sports and on-demand content, including more than 1,000 movies and TV episodes, will be available, streamed over a broadband connection for 48 hours.

Payment for content can be made through the set-top box or via the Igloo website.

Igloo also includes two USB ports – one for home media, and another to enable its live pause function.