ScreenScribe

The final, semi-final and opening of the 2011 Rugby World Cup were the most watched events on NZ TV since 1995, TVNZ reports (see below). The final drew 2.03 million viewers, the semi-final 2.02 million and the opening ceremony, 1.93 million. TV One had the lion’s share of total viewers for the final, with 687,200, [...]

Nearly half of the country watched last night’s Rugby World Cup semi-final between NZ and Australia. TV One narrowly won the contest, with 659,600 people aged five-plus, followed by Sky Sport 1’s 653,300, TV3’s 397,800 and Maori TV’s 262,700. Together, the four channels accounted for 89% of live viewing. While TV One had more eyeballs [...]

Two episodes of The X Factor USA are being pre-empted by sport. Tonight’s episode won’t screen until tomorrow because Fox TV in the US had to postpone its broadcast after rain delayed its baseball coverage (TV3 is replacing it with the movie, Night at the Museum). And there will be only one screening next week, [...]

Live HD coverage of last night’s Rugby World Cup match between the All Blacks and Argentina wasn’t enough to sway free-to-air viewers. They opted for Maori TV’s SD telecast over TV One and TV3’s HD broadcasts. But Sky Sports 1’s HD coverage was the most watched of all the RWC channels in the key demograhics. [...]

It’s not yet known if TV3’s coverage of Bathurst 1000 coverage will be in HD. The pinnacle of Australian motorsport will be broadcast for the first time in HD but TV3 has yet to strike a deal for the coverage. “We are still negotiating with V8 Supercars whether they will give us access to the [...]

The X Factor USA and the Rugby World Cup helped TV3 to score free-to-air ratings wins over the weekend. Saturday’s live HD coverage of the All Blacks versus France was watched by 15.8% of TV3’s core audience, 25-54 year-olds, compared to Sky Sports 1’s 13.7% (Maori TV’s SD telecast rated 6.1%). TV3’s 18-49 rating was [...]

Advertising Age reports today’s launch of The X Factor USA will have to draw at least 26.2 million viewers to out-rate the 10th season premiere of American Idol in January. Anything less will be a “huge disappointment” for ex-Idol judge Simon Cowell, the trade paper argues. If it doesn’t, the lack of hype won’t be [...]

Software gremlins continue to compromise TVNZ’s HD capability. This is why some SD shows have been incorrectly billed in publications like the NZ Listener as screening in HD (the latest being TV2’s Hot in Cleveland) and others haven’t been flagged they are 1080i (Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals on TV One). It’s been an ongoing problem [...]

Sky will use its Rugby World Cup coverage to promote the launch of two more HD channels. By Christmas it will have 11 HD channels: eight of its own and three free-to-air networks (TV One, TV2, TV3). On June 1, ESPN will be the next Sky channel to go HD – but not because of [...]

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced free-to-air high definition digital television, also known as Freeview|HD, will be available by UHF aerial to an extra 160,000 homes in time for the Rugby World Cup. The Government is extending the existing digital terrestrial television (DTT) service to Whangarei, Rotorua, Gisborne, Taupo, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Nelson, Timaru [...]