TV2 (New Zealand)

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TV2

Launched	June 30, 1975
Owned by	TVNZ
Country	New Zealand
Website	tv2.co.nz
Availability
Terrestrial
Analogue	normally tuned to 2
Satellite
SKY Network Television	Channel 2
Cable
TelstraClear InHomeTV	Channel 2

TV2 is a free to air New Zealand television channel run by TVNZ. It focuses on entertainment and delivers a strong line-up of comedies, drama, movies and local programming. It caters primarily to a young and family orientated audience with an emphasis on providing entertainment and information to a younger audience than that of TV One.

TV2's programming includes local programs like Shortland Street, NZ Idol', as well as international shows like Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and Lost.

1 History
2 Programming
3 Logos
4 See also
5 External links
6 Sources
7 References

[edit] History

TV2 was formed following the dissolution of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation in 1975, and took over the AKTV2 and CHTV3 stations in Auckland and Christchurch. It began broadcasting in those cities on 30 June of that year, but did not begin broadcasting in Wellington until that November.

TV2 opened with a Telethon for the St John Ambulance Service. As there was only one national link, and TV One had priority, TV2 used the link overnight to feed the next day's programmes between Auckland and Christchurch so they could be broadcast simultaneously. In 1976 TV2 was renamed South Pacific Television, and along with TV One and Radio New Zealand it became part of the Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand (BCNZ) in 1977.

In 1980 South Pacific Television (which reverted to its original name of TV2) and TV One merged to form Television New Zealand, with the promise of 'complementary programming'. In 1981, tenders were called for the supply of programmes for TV2's morning slot. The following year Northern Television began producing programmes as the first private enterprise TV broadcaster in the country. In 1983 Northern TV was forced to close due to high costs and low advertising revenue.

The National government debated selling off TV2 to a private enterprise in 1983, but this did not happen. In 1988 the Labour government dissolved BCNZ, and deregulated the broadcasting market. With the launch of TV3 in 1989, TV2 (now rebranded 'Channel 2') moved away from complementary programming and repositioned itself as an entertainment channel, leaving more serious programming to TV One. In 1995 Channel 2 reverted to its old name, TV2.