Teilweise neu: 2002-02-23 Contents of this issue:
1. Niue's Broadcasting Corporation 2. Preventative Action ======================================================================== Old contents were: 1. Preventative Action February 23rd, 2002 1. Niue's Broadcasting Corporation has had to call upon local businesses and organisations to sponsor live Super 12 rugby matches. Two matches have already been broadcast and BCN plans to give its viewers all the NZ team games plus the semis and final. A tight budget and a problem collecting $65 quarterly licence fees has forced the corporation to seek financial backing from local businesses and organisations. But the tiny island's tv station is not the only one suffering from poor cashflow. This week Television New Zealand's hold on major sports events - such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup - is under threat as it faces massive cost-cutting. The state broadcaster has discussed with the government the possibility of taxpayers funding future rights to the events. TVNZ is reported to be slashing spending by $75 million over three years, $15m more than its target a year ago. The cuts are to offset a decline in advertising revenue that has accelerated since September 11. "There is no magic about this," TVNZ's outgoing chief executive Rick Ellis said. "To keep your head above water, you either earn more money or you take more cost out, and the biggest cost in any television business is your programming. "In future years we have to assess whether investing in sports rights gives an adequate return in terms of charter expectations. "We have tended to end up being in the major event genre, so you are talking the Rugby World Cup, Winter Olympics, Summer Olympics, Commonwealth Games, the summer tennis and the golf. "Sports rights have just become ridiculously priced," said Ellis. 2. Preventative Action: Niue health department officials are launching another mass effort to eradicate filariasis from the island. Niue residents over the age of five will take part in a Pacific World Health Organisation programme aimed to wipe out filariasis or elephantiasis. Its the third time in two years medication will be provided to Niue residents en mass. The disease is caused by a worm like parasite transferred by a number of mosquito species. The worms live in the lymphatic system or the tissues and cause inflammation and swelling. __END__
