U (TV channel)
| TVNZ U | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| TVNZ U Logo | |
| Launched | March 13, 2011[1] |
| Owned by | TVNZ |
| Picture format | 720x576i 16:9 (anamorphic) |
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Broadcast area | national |
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Sister channel(s) | |
| Website | tvnz.co.nz/u |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Kordia (DVB) | 1202 @ 34 (578 MHz) or 35 (586 MHz) |
| Kordia Auckland (DVB) |
1202 @ 29 (538 MHz) or 28 (530 MHz) |
| Freeview (Virtual) |
6 |
| Igloo (Virtual) |
16 |
| Satellite | |
| Kordia (DVB) | 1904 @ 12483 MHz |
| Freeview (Virtual) |
6 |
| Sky (Virtual) | 16 |
| Cable | |
| Vodafone (Virtual) |
16 |
TVNZ U is an interactive youth-oriented New Zealand television channel, owned and operated by TVNZ. The channel launched on March 13, 2011, and features reality programming, as well as an interactive live show and music content. It replaced the now defunct TVNZ 6. Leading up to the launch of TVNZ U, there were 13 days worth of promotional videos and programming information aired to advertise the new channel.
Initially, TVNZ U closed down every night at midnight, playing the Goodnight Kiwi animation to signal the end of nightly broadcast. During its closedown period of 12-midnight to 12-noon, the channel looped a video of non-stop dancing with text reading TVNZ U 'returns at midday'.
From February 2012, the channel began broadcasting informercials from midnight until midday, except on Sunday mornings, when it is illegal to broadcast adverts.[2] On Sunday, the channel closes down as usual, with infomercials played until 6am, a graphic is displayed from 6am until midday, and then the broadcast 'returns at midday'.
In April 2013, the channel launched "U late", a late night version of U live without the music videos. Described as late night antics and chat, live and interactive every evening.
Contents |
Pre Launch [edit]
In preparation of the launch of TVNZ U, TVNZ established a Facebook page for their new channel, giving fans information and offering one person the chance to schedule a selected segment of programming on the new channel for a month (known as U tv). On the evening of February 28, 2011, TVNZ 6 was officially shut down, allowing TVNZ to air promotional material for the new channel. At 3pm on March 9, 2011, TVNZ activated its U live application on Facebook,[3] which, upon the launch of the channel, would allow users to share content and have it displayed as part of the U Live TV show.
Launch [edit]
TVNZ U was launched on March 13, 2011 at 4:00 pm on Freeview channel 6 and Sky channel 16. The first program to air was U live.[4]
U live [edit]
The flagship show is U live, a live show airing from 4pm - 7pm daily. The show features music, interviews, and other general interest content. Viewers are invited to participate via a Facebook application, where they can vote in polls, take part in discussions, and view the show via a live commercial and graphic free stream. Comments and polls are then selected and displayed on screen during broadcast. U live is hosted by Rose Matafeo, Connor Nestor, Matt Gibb, Kirsteen Mackenzie and Eli Matthewson. U live draws many parallels to TVNZ's rival network Mediaworks' youth-oriented show Four Live, which airs on FOUR.
U's Themed Nights [edit]
U has themed programming for the different days of the week, with each theme having a distinctive title. Selected programming available on each night is listed below.
| Day | Theme | Shows[1] |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | "Guts Monday" | BMX Road Fools; Airtime; Speeders Specials; Homegrown Maniacs |
| Tuesday | "Dude Tuesday" | The Cool Guy Files; Rhett And Link - Commercial Kings; Tough Guy Or Chicken? |
| Wednesday | "Pash Wednesday" | The Shire; Tough Love - New Orleans |
| Thursday | "Girl Thursday" | Made In Chelsea; Sorority Girls |
| Friday | "Knock Out Friday" | The Exclusives; Real World - Road Rules |
| Saturday | "U Again Saturday" | Repeated programming |
| Sunday | "U Go Sunday" | Travelling Unplugged; Roam; Ultimate Traveller; Amazing Adventures Of A Nobody |
- ^ Programming current as of May 8, 2013
External links [edit]
- http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/tvnz-partners-gaming-company-4009014
- http://tvnz.co.nz/u
- http://tvnz.co.nz/u/contdown-4032205
References [edit]
- ^ http://tvnz.co.nz/u/contdown-4032205
- ^ Horrocks, Roger (April 2009). "History of TV - NZ On Screen". Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "U Live App Launch on Facebook". March 9, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ http://www.throng.co.nz/tvnz-u/the-new-tvnz-u-guide
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