Channel 39 (New Zealand TV channel)
{{Other uses|Channel 39 (disambiguation){{!}}Channel 39}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{third-party|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Channel 39
| logo = 39-Southern-Television.png
| logo_size =
| logo_caption =
| image =
| launch_date = 1995
| closed_date = 2023
| picture_format = PAL
| network =
| owner = Allied Press
| country =
| area = Otago and Southland, New Zealand
| headquarters =
| former_names = Channel 9, Dunedin Television
| replaced =
| sister_channels =
| timeshift_service =
| website = [http://www.channel39.co.nz Official Site]
| terr_serv_1 =
| terr_chan_1 =
| terr_serv_2 = Freeview
| terr_chan_2 = Channel 39
| sat_serv_1 =
| sat_chan_1 =
| sat_serv_2 =
| sat_chan_2 =
| cable_serv_1 =
| cable_chan_1 =
| sat_radio_serv_1 =
| sat_radio_chan_1 =
| adsl serv 1 =
| adsl chan 1 =
| online_serv_1 =
| online_chan_1 =
}}
Channel 39, also known as Southern Television (and formerly Dunedin Television and Channel 9), was a regional television station operating in Dunedin, New Zealand. The channel was a division of Allied Press, who also publish the local daily newspaper Otago Daily Times. In December 2023, it was announced that Channel 39 would close by Christmas 2023.{{cite news |last1=McNeilly |first1=Hamish |title=Long-running local TV station to shut down by Christmas |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/133443871/longrunning-local-tv-station-to-shut-down-by-christmas |access-date=14 December 2023 |work=Stuff |date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213100807/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/133443871/longrunning-local-tv-station-to-shut-down-by-christmas |archive-date=13 December 2023}}
History
Channel 39 first commenced transmission in 1995 as a tourism station. In 1997 the station was expanded into a news-carrying local station called Channel 9. In 2003, the channel underwent a reorientation of strategy to focus on local news and became a division of Allied Press.{{cite web |title=Channel 39, Southern Television |url=https://www.alliedpress.co.nz/television/channel-39 |publisher=Allied Press |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517095208/https://www.alliedpress.co.nz/television/channel-39 |archive-date=17 May 2021 |date=17 May 2021 |url-status=live}}
In March 2013, Channel 9 was rebranded as Dunedin Television when New Zealand switched to digital television. In addition, the channel's broadcast channel was changed to Freeview HD Channel 39. The station's chief executive Daryl Clarkson said that company had chosen the name Channel 39 "because it included the number nine and would hold the heritage of Channel 9."{{cite news |last1=McAvinue |first1=Shawn |title=Channel 9 going digital next week |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/channel-9-going-digital-next-week |access-date=23 May 2021 |work=Otago Daily Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523031223/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/channel-9-going-digital-next-week |archive-date=23 May 2021|url-status=live}} Channel 39 also entered into partnerships with local organisations including the Dunedin City Council. On 1 September 2016, Channel 39 extended its coverage to include Invercargill and adopted the name "Southern Television."
Between 24 March 1981 and 9 September 2016, the channel's owner Allied Press had registered the name Southern Television as an incorporated subsidiary with the New Zealand Companies Office.{{cite news |title=SOUTHERN TELEVISION LIMITED (110834) |url=https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/110834?backurl=H4sIAAAAAAAAAC2LQQrDMAwEf%2BNLD3mBKT31kkOh%2FYCwlsSQSK4kB%2FL7mtDb7LAzNVrgU9G9kdRBDrKy3ndlZA8SJuMUZ0OGRI1xSd%2Fs2mOFyS2w4aheVRLxQVLALxJsOawjXcX5GbHnxzz%2F9zsouj9Ne7v0D%2BmbeemDAAAA |access-date=23 May 2021 |publisher=New Zealand Companies Office |date=9 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523030246/https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/110834?backurl=H4sIAAAAAAAAAC2LQQrDMAwEf%2BNLD3mBKT31kkOh%2FYCwlsSQSK4kB%2FL7mtDb7LAzNVrgU9G9kdRBDrKy3ndlZA8SJuMUZ0OGRI1xSd%2Fs2mOFyS2w4aheVRLxQVLALxJsOawjXcX5GbHnxzz%2F9zsouj9Ne7v0D%2BmbeemDAAAA |archive-date=23 May 2021|url-status=live}}
On 13 December 2023, Stuff reported that Channel 39 would be closed by Christmas 2023 due to declining funding from New Zealand on Air, low viewership figures for its flagship programme The South Today, rising costs, and diminishing advertiser support. In early December 2023, Channel 39 ceased broadcasting its Invercargill television transmission.{{cite news |title=Uncertainty for Channel 39 |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/uncertainty-channel-39 |access-date=14 December 2023 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213181824/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/uncertainty-channel-39 |archive-date=13 December 2023}} On 14 December, the Otago Daily Times reported that Allied Press had started a proposal to close Channel 39 by 22 December. Allied Press confirmed that The South Today brand would continue on the Otago Daily Times{{'s}} website and YouTube.
Facilities
As a division of Allied Press, Channel 39 had an office at the company's headquarters in Stuart Street and also operates a branch office in Invercargill. The channel operates a live-to-air studio and small production house. They also produce commercials and short programmes. Channel 39 also works with outside broadcast facilities to facilitate the broadcast of local and sporting events in Dunedin and Invercargill.
=Live events=
39 Southern Television has an Outside Broadcast unit. The purpose built van provides flexibility to cover local events live on air from various locations around Dunedin. The Outside Broadcast (OB) facility has been built by technical staff at Allied Press and was first used to broadcast the Dunedin Santa Parade live on television on December 4, 2005.{{cite web |title=Event Coverage |url=http://www.channel39.co.nz/services/event-coverage |publisher=Channel 39 |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323120905/http://www.channel39.co.nz/services/event-coverage |archive-date=23 March 2021 |url-status=live}}
The mobile unit is fitted out as a purpose built portable studio complete with digital video mixer, graphics capability, sound and editing facilities. It can also accommodate up to six cameras, and be run single handed or with multiple crews. The unit can be powered by 240 volts or run from its own self-contained power supply for maximum flexibility.
Local programmes
File:Dougal Stevenson QSM (cropped).jpg
39 Southern Television provides a 24-hour schedule and provides a core of locally focused primetime viewing. The programming includes its flagship locally produced The South Today, Southern Newsweek, Dunedin Diary, Scarfie Land, Southern Attractions, local sports and event coverage as well as programming from local, national and international partners.{{cite web |title=The South Today |url=http://www.channel39.co.nz/programmes/39-dunedin-news |publisher=Channel 39 |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205213840/http://www.channel39.co.nz/programmes/39-dunedin-news |archive-date=5 February 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Southern Newsweek |url=http://www.channel39.co.nz/programmes/southern-newsweek |publisher=Channel 39 |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420133735/http://www.channel39.co.nz/programmes/southern-newsweek |archive-date=20 April 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Dunedin Diary |url=http://www.channel39.co.nz/programmes/dunedin-diary |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129090146/http://www.channel39.co.nz/programmes/dunedin-diary |archive-date=29 January 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Scarfie Land |url=http://www.channel39.co.nz/content/scarfie-land |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912205418/http://www.channel39.co.nz/content/scarfie-land |archive-date=12 September 2016 |access-date=21 May 2021 |publisher=Channel 39}}{{cite web |title=Sports |url=http://www.channel39.co.nz/programmes/sports |publisher=Channel 39 |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405011216/http://www.channel39.co.nz/programmes/sports |archive-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Local Tourism |url=http://www.channel39.co.nz/programmes/local-tourism |publisher=Channel 39 |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228035121/http://www.channel39.co.nz/programmes/local-tourism |archive-date=28 February 2021 |url-status=live}}
=''The South Today''=
The South Today was a half-hour live television news that was broadcast daily at 5:30pm, with repeat transmissions at 7pm and 9:30pm.
The programme was funded by New Zealand On Air.{{cite news |last1=Peacock |first1=Colin |title=Shocking news reveals southern reporting cutbacks |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018795483/shocking-news-reveals-southern-reporting-cutbacks |access-date=21 May 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516113015/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018795483/shocking-news-reveals-southern-reporting-cutbacks |archive-date=16 May 2021|url-status=live}}
By December 2023, Stuff reported that The South Today was reporting low viewership figures of a few hundred for videos on its YouTube channel. Despite plans to close Channel 39 by Christmas 2023, Allied Press confirmed that The South Today brand would continue on the Otago Daily Times{{'s}} website and YouTube with some format changes. However, the daily half hour news bulletins would be halted.
=''Southern Newsweek''=
=''Dunedin Diary''=
Dunedin Diary is a weekly current affairs, lifestyle and arts magazine show hosted by veteran TVNZ 1 broadcaster Dougal Stevenson.
=''Scarfie Land''=
Scarfie Land was a showcase of student life in Dunedin with its roots are derived from COW (Campus Otago Weekly) TV. From 2015, it was replaced by a Facebook updates page. Broadcaster Clarke Gayford, who is the partner of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pitched the COW TV to the station after graduating from the New Zealand Graduate School.{{cite news|title=Who is Jacinda Ardern's TV presenter partner Clarke Gayford?|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/95358661|accessdate=23 May 2021|work=Stuff|date=2 August 2017|language=en}}
=Sports=
=''Southern Attractions''=
=''Story Time''=
Storytime was a half-hour show hosted by Anita Cumming (who also briefly appeared in TVNZ's Shortland Street) and Merlin the Mouse aimed at preschoolers and young children.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.channel39.co.nz/}}
- [http://www.alliedpress.co.nz/ Allied Press] (parent company)
{{Allied Press}}
{{Television in New Zealand}}
Category:Defunct television channels in New Zealand
Category:English-language television stations in New Zealand
Category:Mass media in Dunedin
Category:1995 establishments in New Zealand
Category:Television channels and stations established in 1995
Category:2023 disestablishments in New Zealand
Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2023