Family-safe regional television has gone to air in Rotorua. Family Television Rotorua (FTVR) covers the entire Rotorua basin reaching a potential audience of 60,000 viewers. The channel went to air for the first time two months ago and its already drawing praise from the community. “Family safe television is something that our community needs and the response from the community has been overwhelming,” says Family Television Rotorua CEO Daryl Anderson.

Daryl and his wife Larisa sold their dairy operation in Matamata in 2000 with a dream to make a positive contribution to television. The result of their efforts was Family Television Network (Waikato) that first went to air in January 2002. The station is owned by a registered charitable trust.

“We feel that we’ve got a real clear niche market in serving the local community with good family-safe content,” says Mr Anderson.

To-date, this dynamic station produces shows that are aimed at the whole family. There is Mish Mash for kids; Hooked on Fishing provides weekly tips on top fishing spots and much more; InDepth - a thought-provoking current affairs show that looks at Waikato and Rotorua issues in depth; EveryDay -an entertaining magazine-style show which is hosted by celebrity Bridgette O’Sullivan; and Farming Today; all of which have a uniquely Waikato and Bay of Plenty flavour. They are “family safe”, informative, and focused on local people and issues.

The group first expanded its operation into Rotorua with the purchase of GeyserTV in 2005. As the foundations are laid with the launch of FTV Rotorua, the production team will now focus on developing content in order to fulfil all the demands of the local Rotorua market and plans are already underway to begin producing a number of shows that specifically look at Rotorua’s issues, sports, news and events. A news bulletin is in the pipeline for early 2007.

One area FTV Rotorua is keen to explore is to air local sports matches. Executive Producer Paul Fawcett is currently considering a proposal from one of the local colleges.
“With the first stage now complete we are now particularly keen on opening a local studio to enable more daily content to be procured,” says Mr Anderson.
The estimated investment to enable this would be in the vicinity of $350,000. This would also ensure weekly sporting fixtures are filmed and broadcasted.
The Trust is keen to speak with any individual or group that is interested in investing or supporting this expanded venture.

Mayor of Rotorua, Kevin Winters says FTV Rotorua’s efforts to produce community television are “commendable” – “My son likes the kids show (Mish Mash)” he says. Mayor Winter believes it is an asset for the tourism industry too.
“When visitors come to our region the first thing they do is turn on the TV to see what’s going on in the area, as they’re looking for things to do, so Geyser TV and Family Television Rotorua will fill the void.”

When FTN Waikato launched in 2002 it had a staff of 10 volunteers. That number has since doubled and the network is hoping to take on more production staff in the near future.

Its headquarters is located in Meura Street, Matamata, which has been fitted with soundproof studio, editing suites and a transmission room. FTV Waikato’s beginnings were humble and it was only broadcasting three hours a night back in 2002 and its programmes were being manually managed. Today everything is fully automated and the TV station runs for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For FTV Rotorua business development consultant Sharon Eyres-Murphy, being in Rotorua is a “win-win” situation for the station and the community and she says she receives “plenty of positive feedback”.
“People know who we are and the advertisers are happy with the business they’re getting, so the future is looking bright.”

Ms Eyres-Murphy says that FTV Rotorua shows Farming Today, InDepth, Hooked on Fishing and Mish Mash are proving to be particularly popular in Rotorua.
“Farming Today has been well-received here because of the useful information presenter Mandi McLeod gives about farm products and issues which is particularly pertinent given that the area is home to many farmers.”

Current affairs show InDepth is a half-hour long programme that is presented by Janene Forlong. To date the show has looked at the Rotorua Wearable Arts Show, Rainbow Spring’s involvement with conservation of Kiwi, the lakes issue and will continue its focus on this region. “If it’s important to Rotorua we absolutely want to know about it to let the wider community know just what’s going on,” says Ms Eyres-Murphy.