Sky Network Television (SKT)

Shares / Stock Code

SKT

Stock Exchange / Sharemarket

ax

SKY Network Television (SKT) is a leading subscription television provider in New Zealand. SKT (often trading as SKY) also provides multi-channel and free-to-air television services. SKT operates over 100 channels covering sports, movies, music, live events, on-demand and general content. SKY operates 7 sports channels, 6 movie channels, 7 general entertainment channels, 5 documentary channels, 5 news channels, 4 children’s channels, and other niche and special interest channels. SKT listed on the ASX on 4 July, 2005.

Launched as a three-channel UHF service in 1990, now SKY’s UHF signal reaches to almost 1.5 million homes, with over 46% of New Zealand homes subscribed to its digital satellite and UHF networks. As of 31 December 2008, the Company’s subscribers totaled to 759,069. The Company introduced digital satellite service in December 1998. SKY Online was created in May 2008, and its offerings include a broadband download service through which SKY subscribers can download and watch movies, games and general entertainment programmes on their personal computers; and a special archive of sport content produced by SKY.

SKY gained exposure to the DVD rental segment through the acquisition of a 51% interest in Screen Enterprises on June 4, 2008. In December 2005, SKY introduced a new decoder integrating a personal video recorder, MY SKY and rolled out MYSKYHDi, a new High Definition decoder and PVR in July 2008. At present four MPEG-4 High Definition television channels namely SKY Sport 1 and 2, SKY Movies and SKY Movies Greats; and TV3 HD are offered by SKY to its subscribers. On February 8, 2006, SKY acquired the New Zealand based PRIME Television Ltd.

Sky Network Television History

SKY was created in 1987 to provide pay television service in New Zealand. In May 1990 the Company launched its three-channel UHF subscription service in the Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga regions. Today SKY’s UHF signal reaches to in excess of 83% of the New Zealand’s 1.5 million television households.

The Company commenced broadcasting to Rotorua, Wellington and Canterbury regions in 1991. In 1994, SKY launched “Discovery” and “Orange” channels and extended its reach to the Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Southland and Otago regions. During 1996 its services had reached to the Wairarapa, Taupo, Wanganui, Taranaki, Whangarei and Eastern Bay of Plenty.

SKY launched direct broadcasting satellite (DBS) service in April 1997 which was later upgraded to a digital service in December 1998. In July 2005, SKY Network Television Limited merged with its parent company, Independent Newspapers Limited to form a new company “MergeCo” which was later renamed to Sky Network Television Limited. On 8 February 2006, the Company took over the operations of New Zealand based television business, the Prime Television Ltd.