What on Earth is a unique viewer?

One you unique on so he doesn't know he is being observed?

The papers show Maori TV earns $1m a year in advertising and has 1.7m unique viewers a month. The rugby would bring seven million unique viewers a month.

…

Apparently, Maori TV were expecting 7.1m of them a month if they broadcast the Rugby World Cup. Maybe their broadcasting range is a bit bigger than we've been led to believe?

The story (now?) says 1.7 million "unique viewers" monthly. The term isn't often used in the broadcast context, but…

What on Earth is a unique viewer?

Apparently, Maori TV were expecting 7.1m of them a month if they broadcast the Rugby World Cup. Maybe their broadcasting range is a bit bigger than we've been led to believe?

The issue also met with condemnation from the Employers and Manufacturers' Federation, which issued a statement opposing a repeat of the 1999 exercise, saying employers were wary. Its health and safety manager Paul Harvie said 1999 had turned into a bun fight between insurers…

Despite Mr English's apparent awareness of the MTS plan, Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman said he didn't know about it until last month.

Mr English today told…

"Breaking News: MMP referendum to be held with election in 2011... details soon"

*Bangs head repeatedly on desk*

What about the public, John? What about the workers? You…

As it is, Maori TV won't get any…

introducing competition for the only profitable part of the scheme is just creaming large amounts of public funds into private pockets while leaving taxpayers with most of the risk.

This this oh god this. And it's not just the most profitable parts, it's the most profitable people (i.e. leave ACC…

The All Blacks' quarter-final defeat against England will be on One, Three, Maori (and Sky). All the knockout games will be shared, and the opener.

So "leading the bid" means pool games only.

(Edit: No, not even that. Scoop reports New Zealand vs…

World Cup losses rocket to $39m

I want to see a list of expenses. Where is the... most of a hundred million $ that ticket sales will earn going? Apart from selling tickets and putting the actual games on.

Can I see the whole thing becoming our mini-Montreal '76?

World Cup losses rocket to $39m

Its five principles were community responsibility for accidents and supporting accident victims, comprehensive entitlement regardless of what caused the accident, complete rehabilitation, compensation…

What does 'introducing competition' mean to you, Craig?

No more proof of some vast secret agenda than the fact that under the term of the last government my partner has a bypass operation in a private hospital is proof that the Liarbore dykeocracy had a secret agenda to privatise cardiac…

It was a biased tv3 story, but pretty clear:

The wonders of confirmation bias... Sorry, guys, but this really stinks of hearing what you want to and nothing Key says or does is going to make a blind bit of difference. But I guess that's the wonderful thing about pushing…

And Key admits introducing competition to some ACC accounts is fast becoming a reality.

“We are quite comfortable moving in that direction and looking at that competition, how that might be introduced, we don't have a solution at this time. That’s…

So, did he? or did he not?

I watched Three News tonight, and if he said any such thing I missed it. Oh, and I don't think Obama wants to kill brain damaged babies either. Just to be clear. :)

I just can't imagine who would want to own ACC.

The ambulance chaser industry, of course!

And on TV3 news, John Key admitting a move toward privatisation of ACC.

Yes, Sofie, and on Fox News, they've just run footage of Saddam Hussein Obama admitting his intention to celebrate the creation of the United Socialist States of America by smothering Trig Palin with his own fascist hands.…

Back OT: Audrey Young has a definitive (with appropriate caveats) timeline of the RWC debacle:

Would this be one of the "appropriate caveats":

At least it is TPK's and Pita Sharples' version of who knew what and when.

It shows that the first time the $3 million was discussed was…

And on TV3 news, John Key admitting a move toward privatisation of ACC .

Yes, Sofie, and on Fox News, they've just run footage of Saddam Hussein Obama admitting his intention to celebrate the creation of the United Socialist States of America by smothering Trig Palin with his own fascist…

Bill English knew in June that TPK would be supporting an MTS bid as part of its RWC programme — but not necessarily that it planned to subsidise the MTS bid to the tune of…

Or maybe a silver star? ;-)

Oh al'right, seeing as you're not greedy.

Tourism NZ should have come up with this one. Global news coverage, hours of footage, panoramic views, happy ending, balloon on E-bay. Better than a hundred giant rugby balls or Lettermans.

You've missed the obvious coup de grace of having the balloon shaped like a giant rugby ball.

I would like to think the whole thing comes down to a prank by the siblings...

Do I get a job on the next series of "Sensing Murd... oh wait er... Sensing Sibling Pranks and Boys down wells and stuff?.
Or maybe a silver star? ;-)

Balloon not so well off though; they attacked it with shovels.

If by some miracle of physics the boy was in the helium capsule, and alive, I wanted the news anchor commenting on it to squeal out that the main danger was that he might be killed by a shovel…

Balloon not so well off though; they attacked it with shovels.

"OMG the boy could have breathed in that helium"

OMG. He might have a squeaky voice forever!

Here's a link to Spanish Cycle-way dividers

http://canterburyheritage.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html

It's down the bottom.

The picture didn't take, but the Spanish road/cycleway deviders look like Rugby Balls sunk into the road.

(The only way you can get Cash is if you use the R-word)

You Kyle, get the gold star today :)

Woowoo! Sweet.

I used a bike every day of every year of my secondary school years (even through snow!) in Auckland.

Snow being such a common feature in Auckland. Endless blizzards, every winter.

Who's up for a trip to Spain?

Sounds like fun. I could throw in a trip to
Bribiesca at the same time. It's just down the road from San Sebastian.

and where will the dog fit?

A dog can either fit in the carrier, or run along beside.

Now if we just flatten a few hills

Get an electric if you're not cycle-fit. They're not really that expensive.

Those people don't have hamlets on.

Perhaps they have insurance? One of…

Don't that look like a far more comfortable, less competitive, form of transport just because there was no uniform attached to the mode of transport. Now if we just flatten a few hills.....

I'm all for 'flattening' hills... now if we could get some of that money that Joyce is…

Cycling should be a normal mode of transport, not a cultish fashion parade at high speed.

Agreed. These people think so too. There's a policy oriented version by the same guy, but the emphasis on people who wear normal clothing is incredibly important.

And we have our own local version…

Agreed. These people think so too.

Don't that look like a far more comfortable, less competitive, form of transport just because there was no uniform attached to the mode of transport. Now if we just flatten a few hills.....
and where will the dog fit?

Cycling should be a normal mode of transport, not a cultish fashion parade at high speed.

Agreed. These people think so too. There's a policy oriented version by the same guy, but the emphasis on people who wear normal clothing is incredibly important.

And that steam bike might have a problem going around the bends. But hey it'll cook diner too.

Cycling should be a normal mode of transport, not a cultish fashion parade at high speed.

Personally, I wear jeans, t-shirt and sneakers when I cycle, but I'm aware that does place limits on how hard I can go. The way I see it, when I'm on a bike it's…

nobody carried out due diligence on their ability to deliver

Pretty sure they did. Audit Office rep involved throughout the process. Someone obviously spun a jolly good line over-estimating their competence.

At least it seems the agreement must have had the right clauses to let the combined DHBs put their…

See, now that's where I blame the lycra. ;)

Yes, I often wonder what is inherently difficult about the idea of lycra that actually looks cool.

Either way, I'm leaving this one well alone.

I thought this was actually a wind up. Y'know, for the likes of Jack and Slack :)

I'm all kinds of angry about that.

Smith shouldn't go giving his family ideas like that.

– If he was given 30 days to live he'ld throw himself under a train on the 29th day so his family would be paid out by ACC.

I'm all kinds of angry about that.

Grrr Cyclist shouldn't be on the road, they should be on cycle ways.

Reading this, I can't tell whether you're cyclist arguing for dedicated cycleways, or a driver fulminating against those annoying cyclists. Either way, I'm leaving this one well alone.

But hey with the total subsidy given to Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles leaves little room for sensible modes of mobility.
Remeber a traffic jam is anything but, mobility.

Kyle: Do you think that this might raise some issues that are slightly more important than a spite fuck? I don't have any time for Trevor Mallard, but I wouldn't have wished this on him.

Actually, I can happily be gleeful at the prospect of him having to spend his…

Who is it that causes the most motorcycle accidents?
car drivers.

According to the page you linked to the other driver is at fault 62% of the time in the 67% of motorcycle accidents that involve another vehicle. That suggests that the other driver is at fault in 41.5% of…

We are, once again, being taken for suckers. As for the motorcyclists. Who is it that causes the most motorcycle accidents?
car drivers. And those bloody cyclists...

In an ideal world, ACC vehicle premiums would be weighted against truckies and suburban assault vehicles. But no, the RTF et al make…

- ACC being used as a means of clawing back tax breaks while also trying to garner more funds to keep itself afloat until a privateer comes along

I have been thinking about this since Nact stole the election.
Last time the Nats were in they privatised ACC and what a…

Of course there was no conflict of interest was there?.

I'm not sure I want to go there, Steve, but wouldn't it be nice if Audrey Young bothered?

how Labtests could be given a five hundred and sixty million dollar contract to be the sole provider of essential lab services, when it seems nobody carried out due diligence on their ability to deliver?

Well, we do, actually, know the answer to that but I fear a gagging order.
Of…

how Labtests could be given a five hundred and sixty million dollar contract to be the sole provider of essential lab services, when it seems nobody carried out due diligence on their ability to deliver?

That is an excellent question Craig.

Meanwhile, where the hell is the public outrage about…

And would you agree that the racist card was being dealt out with an ease the facts don't really support?

I would.

Until then, it had all been about the terrible injury done to MTS, big mean gummint, etc.

And would you agree that the racist card was being dealt out with an ease the facts don't really support?

by calling in more money from iwi authorities

No public scrutiny or accountability…

So the outcome of the Rugby World Cup fiasco is a reversion to sanity – one bid only, involving Maori Television, TVNZ and TV3. In order to preserve the mana of the Maori Party, Maori Television will reportedly ‘lead’ that bid. Offshore of course, the IRB can still…

Quite. If we stand in the queue with our hats on, we can borrow a few million more, apparently.

Apprently, you could go inside and dry off for a week if the banks put as much effort into paying their taxes as they do into avoiding them.

That's certainly the impression I've gained. TVNZ management seem to have a very different perspective on how how things went.

Is that a polite way of saying someone is lying their arses off but you're not sure who (which is unforgivable), or that there's room to think they're looking at…

Outraged of Brooklyn

And as Finlay Macdonald acidly observed on The Panel yesterday, wouldn't it be nice if we could get as OUTRAGED over ... the Government ... borrowing like a P-head with a ravenous King Kong-sized monkey on its back?

Quite. If we stand in the queue with our hats on, we…

But I am blaming the media in general for failing to set the tenor. Sensationalism over sense, every time.

I also suspect there's an element of "if it bleeds, it leads" where medical stories are concerned — the Labtest story is complicated and you apparently need nija-level skills in obfuscation…

She laud's Key's timing (and notes Roger Doulgas's comparison of key to Muldoon!), and has some documents:

According to notes leaked to the Herald and prepared for Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples, photocopies of the MTS bid were delivered to the offices of Finance Minister…

In fact, the collective writings of Audrey Young on this whole issue have been pretty damn illuminating, and tell a much more nuanced story than pretty much anything else I've seen in any other media.

Yeah, but isn't it a shame that the political editor of Auckland's only daily newspaper…

Good interview technique is as much about knowing when to move on (and get your ego out of the room) as when to push.

Jeremy Paxman of BBC Newsnight had a famous interview where he asked Michael Howard "Did you threaten to overrule him" 14 times.

It's now called "Doing…

Look on it as him owing us for fifteen things that he's done in the past. This doesn't come close to making up for it, you can drop the sympathy.

Kyle: Do you think that this might raise some issues that are slightly more important than a spite fuck? I…

Must correct you there. According to Treasury, government appropriations amount to about 5% of TVNZ's income.

With the Charter removed, almost all of that in the current year is the $18 million to run and produce programming for the two digital channels, which stops in just over two years.

TVNZ…

And it does bear mention that MTS CEO Jim Mather rejected a joint bid in favour of going it alone

Mather's press release, as quoted by Audrey Young puts it differently.

Maori Television did not decide to go it alone, as stated by Dr Coleman. The IRB bid required that all…

The meeting has had an effect.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/2962132/Government-World-Cup-broadcasting-backdown

Wouldn't most people who think HD is vital for watching sport be SKY subscribers anyway?

I certainly would like to see it in HD and am not a Sky Sports subscriber.
But again, this is presumedly part of the IRB's decision making process.

And the respective broadcasters are meeting right now in search of a solution.

The stumbling block will be that all three broadcasters want the All Blacks' quarter-final, but none want the final.

It's an angle no one's talked about so far, but I can see it becoming an issue if MTS only sub-contracts delayed rights, because MTS isn't HD-capable.

Is it too late for the IRB to give it to Ozzy?

I need to know 'cause I was going to go there during the RWC here, but I not so sure anymore.

Don't joke. Better still, post guards at all NZ airports to ensure John O'Neill can't get past…

I need to know 'cause I was going to go there during the RWC here, but I not so sure anymore.

I'd much rather the government didn't give anyone money for one-off populist events to appear on TV.

Oh for sure. I just mean that each channel should have approached it's "shareholder" for funding as per normal arrangements. In an ideal world, a coordinated Government investment process would have seen those…

I can't help but feel what should have happened in the first place was the Government saying "we'll give $5m to whichever of you win, but you're operationally independent TV companies making a tender to the IRB so it's not a political decision"

I'd much rather the government didn't give…

What I said before about talking about this first ...

This is what should have happened in the first place.

I can't help but feel what should have happened in the first place was the Government saying "we'll give $5m to whichever of you win, but you're operationally independent TV companies making a tender to the IRB so it's not…

Although that is based on the fact that NZ has put up competing offers – a single MTS/TV3 bid would have taken the ball out of the IRB's court somewhat. Would they really have played hardball and said "no FTA coverage in the hosting country"?

No, and MTS jumping in…

The Rugby World Cup bidding war between TVNZ and Maori TV is going back to the drawing board.

Prime Minister John Key says the Government wants a single bid, led by Maori TV.

He is meeting with TVNZ and Maori TV representatives this…

Photocopies of the Maori Television Service bid were personally delivered to the offices of Finance Minister Bill English and Associate Rugby World Cup Minister Gerry Brownlee on September 24, according to another leaked document (keep them coming!)

The delivery was from Te Puni Kokiri staffer Craig…

the fact that our two government owned broadcasters have decided to both reach into the public purse to outbid each other, probably ratcheting up the price as a result, is good for the IRB, but down to our incompetence rather than anything on the IRB's part.

Quite right. I didn't…

First-five and goal-kicker: Audrey Young.

Try-scorer on the left-wing: Gordon Campbell.

Front row enforcer: Derek Fox.

Keep it up, team!

The Herald understands the Government's concern about Maori TV's coverage relates to fears about small crowds at the tournament, already expected to make a $40 million loss.

The Government and Rugby Union can make money only from ticket sales, and are worried about how these would…

Sean Plukett's blustering and bullying is ever more frequently on display, with less and less lucid moments – his shouting down of Karl Anderson this morning but one example.

He was pretty rude to the woman from the teachers union this morning too, although she handled him pretty well. He…

Must correct you there. According to Treasury, government appropriations amount to about 5% of TVNZ's income.

Wow I didn't realise they were so close to actually running in the black. And they definitely don't get most of their money from the government then.

I'm still not happy about giving 19…

I think the incessant repetition of the…

And here we are again – NZ getting rooted up the anal passage by international Rugby. Again!

I don't buy this. Any major sporting event will try and get as much money as possible out of broadcasting rights, sponsorship, etc. The fact that our two government owned broadcasters have decided…

Isn't National meant to be all about cutting back on wasted bureaucracy? Surely going through the accounting needed to take a dividend from a Government owned institute the gets most of it's money from the Government is a total waste of money.

Must correct you there. According to Treasury, government…

I think Morning Report is well past its due by date in its current format and interviewers, and needs a good shake up

You could be right Tom but why don't Radio NZ have listener feedback on their site? The nat radio site has no interactive channel.
If they…

Geoff Robinson has been really, really poor lately, and seems to be getting worse. Memo to to Geoff: Ralda Familton style advertorials are twenty-five years out of date, and were only used for…

pay the government a dividend every year

Does anyone else think this dividend stuff is a complete waste of money?

Isn't National meant to be all about cutting back on wasted bureaucracy? Surely going through the accounting needed to take a dividend from a Government owned institute the gets most…

but pay the government a dividend every year.

And on that score, do you think Coleman and Trevor Mallard would front up to Media 7 and give a straight answer to this straight question:

If you're forcing TVNZ to fork over a hefty dividend, isn't it a wee bit disingenuous…

Too fucking right. And with all due disrespect to Geoff Robinson, perhaps the media could stop letting Sharples get away with dog whistling racism. Sure, he's a little more subtle about it than Turia or Harawira, but I'm not sure that's a good thing.

Robinson did really feed him lines…

Why on earth should it?

I've got to agree with Russell, here. Sure, ping TVNZ for their long and rather squalid history of citing "commercial confidentiality" when it comes to their use of tax-payer funds — anyone remember the NZ Idol rort? But if the public purse is being (ab)used…

When TVNZ comes out and says thanks, but no thanks to the proposed additional cash to put their revised bid in, I'll happily agree with you.

Why on earth should it? TVNZ has had to walk away from one major sporting event after another — most recently the Commonwealth Games…

I guess that would depend on how many business/tourism opportunities or jobs for Maori TVNZ is proposing on generating from their additional funding.

Apparently that was one of the factors that influenced the Government's actions, according to Patrick Gower in today's Herald.

TVNZ's involvement is necessary because it has the…

Face it: Sky owns ALL the sport here, apart from some minor, minor motorsport, some of the netball and delayed NZ basketball (Breakers being live only on the Te…

And here we are again – NZ getting rooted up the anal passage by international Rugby. Again!

This is, of course, veering scarily close to the literal truth.

we now have our government bidding against itself in a rights auction

IRB must be pretty happy.

And here we are again – NZ getting rooted up the anal passage by international Rugby. Again!

Can't wait for the British newspapers.

I think your beef should be with the Government, rather than TVNZ

When TVNZ comes out and says thanks, but no thanks to the proposed additional cash to put their revised bid in, I'll happily agree with you.

Seeing the MTS getting shafted by TVNZ...

I think your beef should be with the Government, rather than TVNZ. I know putting the boot into the Big, Bad Broadcaster (tm) is a favoured past-time that almost rivals kicking the All Black coach every time they lose, but I think you…

It's proposing to fund the production of "hundreds" of TV programmes to support a venture Te Mangai Paho says it doesn't want a part of. I think they could have told Cabinet about that.

It is only proposing to do that in amongst a pretty broad range of other things,…

Did he do something?

nothing more really needs to be said, thanks Russell on the pulse. Craig, you got a whole lot out of my system with that.

Did he do something?

Brilliant.

I think the important distinction here is that from my reading of the paper republished in the Herald, TPK wasn't getting into broadcasting, it would have been purchasing a broad (maybe overly broad) range of Maori development opportunities/outcomes.

It's proposing to fund the production of "hundreds" of TV programmes to…

It's grand, audacious and, hey, maybe crazy enough to work. But TPK really needs to tell Cabinet if it's going to be a broadcast funding agency.

and

The sad thing about this whole saga is that you're right Russell, the development fund clearly isn't for this…

I'm not the evil Chimpy McBushitler either and haven't declared war on Canada, yet — can I have a million bucks and a medal too?

The best assessments I've heard mirror this – that it's sort of like when the school bully stops beating kids up; they get way more…

But my goodness, David Farrar is finding lots of other things to blog about today ...

Yes, Russell, and you've been known to get rather pissed when folks call you a Labour hack because you don't post on matters of import (at least to them).

Back on planet Earth and…

Did he do something?

I'm blaming my cold for the fact that I can't tell whether this is beautifully cynical commentary or a genuine query.

But the suggestion [is] that the Government sought confidential information on the MTS bid and then provided it to TVNZ and TV3 – insider trading is the word being used.

A good deal of it seems irrelevant to MTS winning the rights or not. And TPK isn't saying it's funding the bid, but rather the production of programmes (at $1m pa for three years) that meet its requirements. Meaning, I guess, that MTS would…

the more intelligent can watch TV3 for higher quality commentary,

...Hamish Mackay? Sheesh. I'd rather join the morons watching on TVNZ, especially if Keith Quinn and John Macbeth get to do it. Old school!

Sport at this level is entertainment and entertainment is big business – what is the problem with government seeding money into NZ business especially a fledgling business like Maori Television?

Well, the government has kicked in about $300 million so far for MTS, and I'm okay with that.

What I'm…

Russell, I was hoping for some views

I would hope Russell has something better to do than treat the corpse of a two year old as a hobby horse on the day the poor kid was found, unlike some of the PA commenters.

"Everyone will have the final that's the idea; the final, the semis and the third and fourth play-off would be on all three networks."

Is it just me, or is that completely moronic?

In that scenario the completely moronic ones would be those who watch the TV1 coverage...

Following on from the latest Audrey Young story, it's doubtful that maraes would make ideal sites for backpacker accommodation, given…

Is it just me, or is that completely moronic?

I guess it makes things easier for compulsive channel surfers.

What it does show is that no-one's thinking about the viewership at all. All they're thinking about is massaging the egos of the respective broadcasters.

The moronic can watch TVNZ with its inane commentary that borders on re-runs of recordings from an insane asylum, the more intelligent can watch TV3 for higher quality commentary, and da Maaaaooooori can watch rugby with Te Reo commentary.

Firstly, you can win the rights to host the event (not TV) without proving that you've got an adequate stadium or the main social gathering point figured out.

Now, according to one of those Herald articles you posted, we're asked to contend with the fact…

It wasn't good enough in the Shipley years when Murray McCully spent taxpayers' money without telling Cabinet and it's not good enough now.

The whole saga does have a wonderfully Shipleyesque quality to it. Perhaps Pita and Muzza had dinner, but didn't talk politics? If only we could find the…

Audrey Young has the prop that TPK belatedly gave to John Key.

She also quotes a clearly angry Sharples.

I mean, TVNZ had their charter funding taken away and transmogrified into the platinum fund which was made contestable, and I am fairly sure that…

It's an Asian woman! It's a pedophile! It's a person of interest! We have no leads! She's in the drain!

Phew.

Gary was out there saying something like "I wouldn't be surprised if she had been stolen to order".

And is TVNZ7 still running that ad for [[http://www.ifc.com/mediaproject/|The IFC Media…

It's an Asian woman! It's a pedophile! It's a person of interest! We have no leads! She's in the drain!

Phew.

Gary was out there saying…

our government bidding against itself in a rights auction

And the IRB is laughing all the way to the bank.

Amid all the bullcrap being spouted about controlling government waste this happens and no heads roll?

Nice piece Russell and nice work by the journos who figured out what was…

Heuheu says colleagues informed of TV bid

Associate Maori Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu is denying she failed to inform senior colleagues of Maori Television's 2011 Rugby world cup bid.

Labour MP Shane Jones says Mrs te Heuheu needs to explain her role in…