MUMBAI: Buena Vista International Television - Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) has concluded a multi-year licensing agreement with free-to-air government broadcaster Television New Zealand (TVNZ) for special access to ABC News programming at MIPCOM.The announcement was made by BVITV-AP vice president and general manager Steve Macallister and TVNZ head of news and current affairs Bill Ralston and ABC News senior vice president/general manager Bernard Gershon.This unique arrangement will allow TVNZ to cooperate with ABC News on breaking news stories, to draw on the production facilities at the ABC News bureau in Washington, D.C. and to access the latest ABC News services and features ensuring that TVNZ provides up to the minute news on world events to the people of New Zealand, informs an official release.
The multi-year agreement will also include the full range of award winning ABC News programming including 20/20, Nightline, World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, Primetime Live, Good Morning America, and World News Now.
"The partnership with ABC not only strengthens TVNZ‘s international coverage but it gives TVNZ the chance to considerably expand its news and current affairs output nationally," said Bill Ralston. "We are delighted and excited to have the opportunity to work so closely with one of the world‘s top broadcasters."
"The ABC News portfolio offers broadcasters a constantly updated resource of live, in-depth, quality news and interviews with some of the most sought after individuals on the planet," commented Macallister. "Viewers in New Zealand will now have immediate access to the full range of ABC‘s enviable news programming. We are incredibly pleased about our new partnership with TVNZ News."
"We are delighted to be working with TVNZ, its commitment to international news is recognized worldwide. Strong journalistic relationships with world class broadcasters like the BBC, NHK Japan, ARD Germany, and now TVNZ, expand the global reach of ABC News and enhance our coverage of global events," said Gershon.
For BVITV-AP the agreement was negotiated by director of sales, Australia and New Zealand, Greg Johnson adds the release.
