TRANS-TASMAN BASKETBALL SHOWDOWN!

A crucial three-game test series between basketball rivals New Zealand and Australia – with the victor guaranteed a place in the 2008 Beijing Olympics – will screen live and free-to-air on Māori Television this week.

The NZ Tall Blacks and the Boomers will contest the 2007 FIBA Oceania Men’s Championship in Melbourne tonight, Monday August 20 at 9.00 PM; Sydney on Wednesday August 22 at 9.00 PM; and Brisbane on Friday August 24 at 9.30 PM.

Māori Television’s coverage – TALL BLACKS ’07 – will include a build-up programme with studio presenters Te Arahi Maipi and Tania Tupu followed by live court action with guest commentators Jenny-May Coffin and
Jeff Green.

Māori Television chief executive Jim Mather says the Oceania championship is possibly the most keenly anticipated contest in the history of New Zealand and Australian basketball.

With the Beijing Olympics looming next year, there is only room for one team to progress direct out of Oceania. The losers of this week’s qualifying series will get another chance but will have to take on several of the world's best teams in a repechage tournament in Europe – possibly a tougher assignment than the Olympics themselves.

In July last year, Māori Television scored a major broadcasting coup when it screened the deciding game in the Trans-Tasman series between the Tall Blacks and the Boomers. Australia lost on points count-back to the Kiwis after a 2-2 series result.

Now the channel has also secured all 15 home games of the Harvey Norman NZ Breakers as they take on the might of the Australian National Basketball League in the 2007-2008 season. The channel will broadcast the Breakers’ Thursday night home games in the ANBL championship from September 20 to February 7.

Mr Mather says the Oceania championship coverage in August is a further extension of the channel’s relationship with the code of basketball.

“Over the past 10 years, the Tall Blacks have represented New Zealand proudly in a truly competitive, international sport and we are confident they will continue that tradition against the Australians this week.”

coming up ON MĀORI TELEVISION:

TIKITIKI – Weekdays at 4.00 PM from Tuesday August 21

Tau Kē: A series for pre-schoolers – in the Māori language – with presenters introducing a range of waiata, stories and activities with the help of Kutu, the kea!

THUNDER IN GUYANA – Tuesday August 21 at 8.30 PM:

International Documentary, Pakipūmeka ō te Ao: Remarkable tale of a young woman from Chicago who was elected president of Guyana – the first foreign-born and first woman to serve in the role.

FROM STREET TO SKY – Wednesday August 22 at 8.00 PM

NZ Documentary, Pakipūmeka Aotearoa: The story of long-time reggae musician, committed Rastafarian and poet Tigilau Ness whose music and lyrics speak to the dispossessed and celebrates his deep faith in Jah.

SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE MUSLIM – Thursday August 23 at 8.00 PM

Many New Zealanders know little about the Muslim community and are quick to associate the religion with terrorists and the subjugation of women – but how accurate are these preconceptions?

NZ RUGBY LEAGUE NATIONAL PREMIERSHIP – Saturday August 25 and Sunday August 26 at 2.00 PM

It’s crunch time as the home of New Zealand rugby league presents exclusive, free-to-air coverage of the semi-finals of the national competition. Tune in to Saturday’s live coverage – in English – and Sunday’s delayed commentary – in reo Māori.

TŪ TE PUEHU – Saturday August 25 at 5.00 PM

The final in this action-packed bilingual sports series that profiles young athletes and established stars. Check out the kids who will be climbing onto the Olympic podium in years to come.

SEX AND LUCIA – Sunday August 26 at 9.00 PM

Sunday Feature, Kiriata Rātapu: Visually stunning and thematically adventurous look at passion, elusive relationships and deep bonds between people who thought they were strangers

Getting to Air

Our daily schedule is:

Viewers can tune in to Māori Television in six ways:

1. Via Freeview

Crystal clear, digital quality television with no monthly fees and no contracts. Visit www.freeviewnz.tv, call 0800-Freeview, or ask a sales person at a Freeview accredited appliance retailer.

2. Via the UHF frequency

To receive Māori Television via the UHF frequency, you need to have a UHF aerial and be within the coverage range. You can check our coverage maps to find out if you are within the coverage area: www.maoritelevision.com/coverage. If you need to purchase an aerial, call your local television aerial installation retailer. You will find these services listed in the Yellow Pages.

3. Via satellite

If you are not within our coverage area, you can access Māori Television via satellite by purchasing a satellite dish and receiver from your local television aerial installation service.

4. As a Sky Digital subscriber

If you are a Sky Digital subscriber, you will find Māori Television on channel 19 of your Sky remote.

5. As a Sky UHF subscriber

If you are a Sky UHF subscriber, you will find Māori Television on button 6 of your Sky remote.

6. Via Saturn TV

If you receive Saturn TV, you can tune in to Māori Television through channel button 33. Saturn customers – please leave your decoders switched on to be able to receive this channel.

If you are still unsure or need any assistance, call the channel’s tune-in helpline on 0800 MA TATOU (0800 62 82 868).

For More Information

Check our website www.maoritelevision.com/coverage or for guidance on how to tune-in call 0800 MA TATOU ( 0800 62 82868 )