Today in History

1960 NZ's first official TV broadcast

Broadcast from Shortland Street in central Auckland, New Zealand's first official television transmission began at 7.30 p.m. The first night's programming lasted just three hours and was only received in Auckland. The first broadcast included an episode of The Adventures of Robin Hood, a live interview with a visiting British ballerina and a performance by the Howard Morrison Quartet.

The television age was slow to arrive in New Zealand. Britain’s BBC led the way when it started the world's first public service in 1936. The NBC began broadcasting in the United States in 1939. Australia had its first stations operating by 1956.

A government committee had been studying the new medium since 1949. Some experimental broadcasts began in 1951 with the proviso that they did not include anything that could be classified as 'entertainment'. A final decision to proceed with public broadcasts was given by Prime Minister Walter Nash in 1959.

Initially television broadcasts had limited coverage. Transmission did not begin in Christchurch until June 1961; Wellington followed four weeks later. Dunedin had to wait until 31 July 1962. By 1965 the four stations were broadcasting seven nights a week – a total of 50 hours. There was no national network and each centre saw local programmes. Overseas shows were flown from centre to centre and played in different cities in successive weeks.

Television licenses, which cost £4, were introduced in August 1960. By 1965 more than 300,000 had been issued. Operating costs were also partly offset in 1961 by the introduction of what many see as the scourge of modern TV – advertising.

In February 1966, the average price of the 23-inch black and white television 'consolette' was about £131 pounds. Allowing for general inflation this would be the equivalent of around $4,400 in 2009.