NEW ZEALAND PRODUCED CHRISTIAN TELEVISION SHOW EXPANDS
New Zealand has produced so many recent Hollywood blockbusters – our country has a world-wide reputation for efficient, quality, scenic rich amazing shows - so why shouldn’t the New Zealand Christian Church tap into all of this Kiwi broadcast talent?
We have begun. Toogood-Today is a weekly broadcast at 9am on Sundays that is rebroadcast around on 10 New Zealand ten times each week. It reaches a potential audience of 2,600,000 people nationally through SKY and FREEVIEW (Channel Share 35%) and is on regional stations CTV, CUE & SATURN. Nielsen’s rating service tells us that 15%, of those on average are watching TV at any time. This means any of 200,000 people can channel surf across to Adventist content at home while watching regular TV!
The programs are produced by CTV - New Zealand’s largest local regional broadcaster. They supply professional staff, equipment and the studio while we supply the content and talent. This arrangement produces a professional product at minimal cost. As we do not need to invest in capital or infrastructure we concentrate on content. We have commenced the second season, with over 60 shows produced to date. Pr James Toogood hosts the show with regular co-presenters Pr Neil Thompson & Pr Kevin Varrall.
The program format is magazine-style, featuring interviews, Bible Lands segments, a Bible study & prayer time and street interviews. Guests have included NZ Labour Cabinet Minister Clayton Cosgrove, the Adventist School Choir (Studio 7), an Elvis impersonator, Members of Parliament (Nikki Wagner & others), the President of Toastmasters International, motivational speakers such as Leo Schreven - the list is now long and grows weekly!
Minimal estimates suggest over 3,000 people are currently viewing and the program presenters are now being recognised by strangers as they meet with people in Christchurch. Emails have been received across the country and as far as Papua New Guinea! Rebroadcast permission has been granted free of charge for global satellite channels, program DVD’s are available at a cost and we have just started to negotiate with SHINE, Australian Christian Channel and then United Kingdom. By broadcasting on secular free-to-air channels at regular viewing times we believe a powerful & positive impact will be made over the longer term.
The show is available globally on YouTube/TogooodToday and all episodes, worksheets and other activity can be viewed at www.ToogoodToday.com
Please pray for a major contract now being explored –a daily breakfast show on New Zealand’s main channel at a regular viewing time. Costs of production, airtime and the business model are being negotiated and explored. This would be a major expansion for 2010/11.
