|
WELLINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A newest Chinese TV channel featuring locally produced programs and content partially from Xinhua News Agency will launch in New Zealand on March 19, it was announced Tuesday.
NCTV, owned by Asia Pacific News Corporation, would feature about a third local programming, another third acquired through Xinhua TV channel CNC, with the remaining content from third party sources.
The channel would be broadcast free to air in the Auckland region initially before being extended nationwide, Asia Pacific News Corporation President Frank Peng said in a statement.
Programming would include news and current affairs, entertainment, finance, tourism, Mandarin learning, property, legal and immigration information.
The primary NCTV aim was to build a bridge between New Zealand and China by increasing understanding and enjoyment of each nation's culture and a secondary aim was to significantly improve the standard of Chinese broadcasting in New Zealand, said Peng.
"New Zealanders are interested and want to participate in the activities of other cultures in their country. They are also interested in the latest political, economic and commercial news out of China and NCTV will keep them abreast of all notable events in China," said Peng.
Start-up costs for the new channel were commercially sensitive but considerable and Peng said the company would invest more as NCTV grew its audience and advertizing revenue.
"Long term, the audience potential is massive. While the Asian population in New Zealand is presently nudging 600,000, of which Chinese is the largest ethnic group. Asian population is forecast to increase to up to 900,000 by 2025 and more than 1.2 million by 2038," he said. Enditem
