Maori TV’s controversial free-to-air rights bid

I came across a comprehensive blog http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/on-the-house/2935580/MTS-rugby-bid-a-poser-for-National, which outlined problems and possible resolutions, about the free-to-air rights dilemma for the 2011 Rugby World Cup: here’s the story in full perspective.
1) TVNZ, TV3 and Maori Television have all put in a bid for free-to-air broadcasting rights of 16 rugby matches of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, including All Black pool matches, the semi-final and the final.
2) Sky TV has won TV rights to produce coverage of all 48 matches.
3) Maori TV’s bid was reportedly greater than the bids made by TV3 and TVNZ. Te Puni Kokiri authorised $3 million, from its Maori Development scheme, to be used.
4) TV3 and TVNZ broadcast to ALL New Zealanders through the UHF signal whereas Maori Television only provides coverage to 85% of New Zealanders.
5) Te Puni Kokiri and Prime Minister, John Key, believes that the bid is “ministry money that would be put to good use”.
6) Maori TV could avoid the dilemma of not broadcasting to the 15% or so New Zealanders, who lie beyond the boundaries of UHF signals, by sub-contracting its rights to another provider. TVNZ or TV3 for example. This decision, if successful, lies with the International Rugby Board (IRB).
Maori TV is looking like the front runner despite the problems it faces. At the end of the day their bid was higher. I’m not saying it’s the fairest, but it certainly looks to be the strongest.
The media have slammed MTS’s bid by saying that $3 million of “taxpayers’ money”, I repeat “taxpayers money”, which effectively is available to “foster Maori Development”, is being used to bid for the rights. What about taxpayer money that is used to supply ‘perks’ and benefits for Ministers of Cabinet? TVNZ can’t afford to criticise the issue, after they used charter funding to bid for the Olympic Games, which it clearly was not permitted to do.
The Prime Minister will certainly be analysing the situation with much thought, as will the National loyalists who voted him into power.
MTS insists that 10% of commentary be broadcast in Te Reo; what a clever move by Minister of Maori Affairs, Pita Sharples: who justifies that the bid will contribute to Maori development. I agree with the blogger of MTS rugby bid a poser for National: that people who do not have Sky and object to being forced to treat an All Blacks rugby game as some sort of “educational experience”. It’s inappropriate to provide a learning experience with rugby world cup coverage. How would we feel if the French language was enforced into rugby commentary here in New Zealand, for the purpose of increased ‘French’ language development?
What John Keys could do is prop up MTS’ annual budget, of $28 million, to allow Maori TV to buy some more transmitters to broadcast to the 15% of New Zealanders who will miss out. Of course National won’t do such a thing as it will most definitely affect their position in power from those opposing. Whatever the outcome, I applaud Maori TV for being game enough to promote their service and for being a “silent competitor” in the Television broadcasting industry.
Here is an article that refers to elite persons to provide substance to the story.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/2938366/South-could-miss-cup-on-Maori-TV


Check out an interview between Pita Sharples and Paul Henry over the issue. Is this a mis-use of taxpayer money?
http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/sharples-defends-maori-tv-bid-3048758/video