South Pacific Television


South Pacific Television was a television channel in New Zealand, which operated between 1976 and 1980.

History

The channel, then known as TV2, first went to air on 30 June 1975. It was the second national government television channel to be established in the country that year, after Television One went to air on 1 April, replacing the former New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation's TV service.
In its first week, the network held New Zealand's first Telethon in aid of the St John Ambulance. It raised $593,878.
The channel could only be picked up in Auckland and Christchurch when it first went to air, but it was limited in Christchurch due to a faulty transmitter. It was another three months before the Waikato and Bay of Plenty got coverage and by late November, the channel was available in Wellington before spreading throughout the rest of the country.
The channel covered the South Pacific Festival of the Arts held in Rotorua in March 1976 with several half-hour pre-recorded programmes featuring several traditional dances from the broader region. SPTV also co-operated with the BBC for the footage.
In December 1976, TV2 was rebranded as South Pacific Television to distinguish itself from the former NZBC channel. It also reduced confusion in Auckland and Dunedin where Television One broadcast on channel 2.
In 1977, broadcasting hours were cut on both channels and as a result SPTV lost 16 hours of broadcast time a week, forcing the channel to begin its daily broadcasts at 3pm.
Channel funding was cut for Television One and handed over to SPTV in a move that bewildered some over at Television One. The effects of the cuts saw programme output on SPTV increase.

Fate

It was decided in 1979 by the National Government that the channels would be amalgamated under an administration which would end the competition that reared its head in 1975.
SPTV's final day of transmissions was 15 February 1980. The final programme was a two-hour farewell special, and the channel closed down at 12:15am on the morning of 16 February.
The next day, 16 February 1980, Television One and SPTV were dissolved and became Television One and Television Two, under the newly formed Television New Zealand. A number of SPTV's programmes moved across to the new networks.

List of programmes

Domestic

Children's

Chic ChatChicaboomChild's PlayChildren of Fire MountainGood Time Show with TracyHey, Hey It's AndyHunter's Gold

Comedy

A Week of ItHudson and Halls
  • ''Something to Look Forward to''

Drama

CastawaysColour SchemeDied in the WoolHunter's GoldNgaio Marsh TheatreOpening NightRadio WavesThe Mackenzie Affair

Entertainment

The Club ShowOpportunity KnocksTop of the World
  • ''Telethon''

Factual & Lifestyle

AccessBook ReviewButcher's HookChild HealthChurch in ActionFarming TodayKaleidoscopeLooking Your BestPacific ViewpointPet LifePolice FiveSew EasyStars on SundaySunday's ChildTalk CarsA Taste of the OrientThat's EntertainmentYou and the Law
  • ''Yours for the Asking''

News and Current Affairs

Eye WitnessForumNews at SixNews at TenNews StandWeekend Edition News
  • ''World Watch''

Sport

On the MatSaturday Night Rugby
  • ''Sportsworld''

Overseas

Children's

BatmanCaptain CavemanClutch CargoDominicDoctor WhoThe FlintstonesMichael Bentine's Potty TimeThe New Fred and Barney ShowThe Quick Draw McGraw ShowRainbowRogue's Rock

Comedy

AliceThe Bob Newhart ShowThe Brady BunchDave Allen at LargeDoctor at LargeGet Some In!Eight Is EnoughFantasy IslandGidgetThe GoodiesThe Liver BirdsThe Love BoatThe Mike and Bernie ShowMixed BlessingsMy Three SonsOdd Man OutOh No It's Selwyn FroggittPlease Sir!PorridgeSoapThe Stanley Baxter Moving Picture ShowSykesTaxiThe Tony Randall Show

Drama

Against the WindAll Creatures Great and SmallThe BrothersClayhangerDan AugustDanger UXBThe Duchess of Duke StreetEmergency OneFamily (1976 TV series)Fantasy IslandHawaii Five-OThe High ChaparralKojakThe Life and Times of Grizzly AdamsLittle House on the PrairieMan from AtlantisNew Scotland YardThe Persuaders!The ProfessionalsThe RookiesSearch for TomorrowSoftly, Softly: TaskforceSpearheadSpencer's PilotsThe SullivansSpearheadWithin These WallsThe Wild Wild West

Entertainment

Dinah!
  • ''The Tom O'Connor Show''

Factual

The Incredible World of Adventure