Kiwis will have even more choice about their in-home entertainment from the first half of next year, when Sky and TVNZ launch their latest TV platform, Igloo.
Retailing for under $200, the set-top box will provide access to all the free to air channels when plugged into a UHF aerial, and will allow users to purchase a 30-day pack of 11 additional channels for around $25 per month.
In comparison, the Freeview set-top box retails from $99 for a user with a UHF aerial, and from $69 for a user with a satellite dish.
The Igloo service will also be capable of delivering pay-per-view sports and movies via broadband.
Chaz Savage, general manager of Igloo, says the project is the result of six months of research into what kiwis wanted.
"They told us what channels they wanted and the fact that more choice and flexibility were key,” Savage says.
"We took all of that research and from it we created Igloo.”
The 11 channels will be Comedy Central, UKTV, Food TV, BBC World News, BBC Knowledge, MTV Hits, Kidzone24, National Geographic, TVNZ Heartland, Animal Planet and Vibe.
Igloo is a joint partnership between the TV providers, but Sky holds the controlling share of 51%.
The platform will be launched in time for the shutting off of New Zealand’s analog signals, set to take place in September.
Check out the Igloo website for more.
