TVNZ 7 launches on Freeview only

Now this really annoys me. Yesterday TVNZ launched its new "news" channel called TVNZ 7 (wow, what an original name). Trouble is, this channel is only available on Freeview. So if you're like me and already have a digital TV service - Sky Digital, like half of the country - then you will miss out on this new channel. And the reason this annoys me is that this channel is government funded! Minister of Broadcasting Trevor Mallard says TVNZ 7 will get $79 million of government funding over five years to help it foster a New Zealand identity. Unbelievable! If this is a government funded channel shouldn't it be put onto Sky Digital so as many New Zealanders as possible get to see it - not just the small percentage of viewers who have Freeview? Why should I fork out $300 to get another digital set-top box when I already have one? Other "government funded" channels are already on Sky Digital such as TV One, TV2, Maori Television, Te Reo, and Parliament TV. I'm a tax payer so I should be entitled to get TVNZ 6 and TVNZ 7 on the digital platform I already have without having to pay more.

Meanwhile TV3 are starting its HDTV broadcasts this week. Oh well, it well be a while before I will be able to receive these broadcasts, "being heralded as the biggest advance in television since the introduction of colour" (yeah, whatever). I'll need to fork out a few thousand dollars for a HD compatible TV and subscribe to Freeview's terrestrial service - good grief!

For more information see:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200803310707/27bc803f

The prophet is one of us!

Here's a great thing to see - our prophet, President Monson, at an NBA basketball game:

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,695265794,00.html

He got in with the crowd and players. In fact there was more excitment with him at the game than the players! It's great to see that our prophet goes to sporting matches just like the rest of us.

February 2008 photos

Unfortunate Middle Names

Just click on the picture:

Super Tuesday 2

Yesterday was like “Super Tuesday 2” or “Mini Super Tuesday” in the race for US president. There were four contests – Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont. Rhode Island and Vermont are small states, but Ohio and Texas are large ones and both very important to the race. Firstly for the Republicans John McCain won then all. This means he passed the Republican’s magical number of 1191 delegates so he has the nomination for his party. As I’ve stated before McCain is an old fuddy-duddy and if he won the presidency then it would be a disaster for the country – and the world. It would be like having a third Bush term, especially now that he has the endorsement of Dubya. Hopefully this will be very detrimental to McCain’s campaign.

Now over to the Democrat side. Hillary won the big states of Texas and Ohio as well as Rhode Island, but Obama only won Vermont. This gives Hillary a very good reason to continue her campaign as her delegate count is much closer to Obama’s now, even though Obama is still slightly ahead. I still support Hillary over Obama for the main reason that she has a lot more experience than he does (and of course it will be great to have Bubba back in the White House!)

I think this close battle between Clinton and Obama is a good thing for the Democrats. The media and public will be concentrating more on this battle and forget a bit about McCain and the Republicans. This will definitely raise the profile of the Democrats!

Coming up next is Wyoming on Sunday (NZ Time) and Mississippi next Wednesday.

For more information see:
http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/