C4 (TV channel)

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C4
Current C4 TV Logo
Launched 3 October 2003
Owned by MediaWorks NZ
Picture format 576i (SDTV)
Country New Zealand
Formerly called TV4
Website c4tv.co.nz
Availability
Terrestrial
Analogue VHF band
normally tuned to 4 or 10
Freeview|HD Channel 4
SKY Television Analogue Channel 10
Satellite
Freeview Channel 4
SKY Television Digital Channel 64
Cable
TelstraClear InHomeTV Channel 64

C4 is a music television station operating in New Zealand and owned by MediaWorks NZ.

The station was originally named TV4, a station for an 18-30 year-old audience featuring a mix of programmes. However on October 1, 2003 TV4 ceased broadcasting and relaunched on October 3, 2003 as a music channel called C4, the very first program to be screened was the Top 100 Songs of All Time as chosen by viewers. When the station is off air (between the hours of 12am and 2pm on weekdays), it shows Infomercials. However, C4 is only off air for free-to-air terrestrial viewers. For viewers that are subscribed to Freeview or SKY Digital, the channel operates 24 hours.

New Zealand on Air paid $500,000 for the first year of operation. C4 was to broadcast 58 hours a week of music television in prime-time, reaching 72 percent of the population, with a target of 20-25 percent New Zealand music content agreed with NZ on Air.

C4 has a deal with MTV Networks to air MTV programming in New Zealand, which has proven successful to date, with shows such as Pimp My Ride and Jackass proving popular among C4's target demographic. Music videos are being gradually replaced by content of this kind. The MTV content on C4 remains on air although Sky TV has launched a local MTV station featuring some of the same shows.

Its current slogan is "Where Music Lives".

As of April 11, 2007, C4 went into 14:9 widescreen transmission on the Sky Network. Media Works advised this editor in an email that 16:9 widescreen transmissions of C4 would begin a few weeks after April 11. C4 did the full switch over on May 2, the same day that Freeview launched. It screens in 16:9 on analog VHF broadcasts.

The first TV4 Logo.
The first TV4 Logo.


Contents

[edit] Controversy

In its relatively small time on air, C4 has caused controversy around New Zealand.

The first such instance was when it chose to air the BBC series Popetown becoming the first TV network in the world to show the series, originally made for the BBC but then pulled from their schedule. This caused much controversy with New Zealand Roman Catholics as it was seen to be demeaning of Pope John Paul II. However, all 10 episodes made were aired. This prompted bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand to call for a boycott of all CanWest radio and television stations.

The second TV4 Logo.
The second TV4 Logo.

Catholic leaders and other religious groups such as Family Life International called for a boycott of all CanWest stations in February 2006 when C4 chose to air the South Park episode Bloody Mary sooner than originally planned. The following day it was reported that the episode was C4's highest rated show ever, drawing 210,000 viewers, six times South Park's normal audience. Protests were held outside the C4 studios the night it aired and the episode drew the most complaints ever received by the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

Flashbacks, Amp'd , Freestyle, Intellectual Property and The Sound Lab all suffered from C4's mid-2006 revamp. C4 wanted to air new fresh shows, along with a fresh on-air identity which was launched soon after and all four shows were cancelled. Freestyle host, Teuila Blakely went to Juice TV, Jono Pryor now hosts 10 Reasons, Nick D & DJ Sir-vere report for Special Features & James Coleman continues to host his Radio Live show.

[edit] On air

See also: List of programs being broadcast by C4

[edit] Past & Present On Air

Note many of these shows will be repeated at various points during the year.

[edit] Awards Shows

[edit] Current Primetime Schedule

7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM
SUN True Hollywood Story Ninja Warrior The Sol Sunday Night Movie
MON King of the Hill The Hills Pimp My Ride Jono's New Show The Loop Mighty Boosh
TUE MXC Added This Week America's Most Smartest Model The Daily Show
WED The Simple Life Guilty Pleasures Celebrity Joker Poker The Girls of the Playboy Mansion
THU American Dad C4's Biggest Records... Right Now Special Features Fist of Zen
FRI My Super Sweet 16 The Official New Zealand Top 40 Ronnie Johns Half Hour Brak Show
SAT Pimp My Ride House of Carters Ninja Warrior U Choose 40*

News and Current Affairs are in Grey; Drama is in Blue; Sitcoms, Animation and Comedy are in Purple; Live Music Shows and Music Video Shows are in Green; Factual programs and Documentaries are Yellow; Reality, Game shows and Talk shows are in Red; Sport is in Orange; Movies are in Pink. The above represents C4's usual primetime schedule. It does not reflect one-off events, and program starting times may vary from those shown. *This program continues until at least 11:30pm. This schedule is current as of 2007-04-29. For up-to-date information, see C4's online television guide. ([1]).

[edit] References

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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New Zealand Free-to-Air Television Channels
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TV3  · C4
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