Freeview NZ

Freeview was established by New Zealand's leading broadcasters including TVNZ, TVWorks (owners of TV3 and C4), Maori Television Service, and Radio New Zealand, to bring together under one consumer brand the digital channels of all free to air broadcasters. The transmissions are provided over both digital satellite (DTH) and digital terrestrial (DTT).

The DTH service is a standard definition MPEG-2 with MHEG-5 service, while the DTT service is a high definition MPEG4 with MHEG-5 service. Both services carry the same ‘Freeview EPG’ (which is an MHEG-5 broadcast application). Freeview runs a certification and brand licensing regime for manufacturers to ensure compliance with the receiver specifications. The response from manufacturers has been excellent and NZ consumers have a growing number of receiver products to choice from including set-top-boxes, iDTVs, and soon PVRs. All these products include MHEG-5 and present the Freeview EPG.

As the platform penetration move towards 10 per cent of NZ homes the broadcasters are now able to consider adding additional MHEG-5-based interactive applications.