Parliament TV celebrates 5 years on air
Parliament TV has been broadcasting and web-streaming proceedings live from the House of Representatives for 5 years. Replays were introduced in 2008, the video-on-demand site In the House was launched in 2009, and since 2010 viewers have been able to access simultaneous interpretation from Māori into English.
Parliament TV is a digital television service broadcast on Freeview channel 22 free-to-air, and on the Sky and TelstraClear subscription platforms at channel 94. Parliament TV is also streamed live via this website.
Coverage of proceedings is made possible through the use of seven robotic cameras, positioned around the Chamber. These are operated remotely from separate studios by contractors engaged by the Office of the Clerk, with audio provided under contract by Radio New Zealand.
During a standard sitting week Parliament TV broadcasts from 2 pm to midnight:
- live proceedings from 2 pm to 6 pm
- replay of Question Time from 6 pm to 7.30 pm
- live proceedings from 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- replay of Question Time from 10 pm to midnight.
- live proceedings from 2 pm to 6 pm
- full replay from 6 pm to midnight.
In the House allows viewers to watch specific members and debates on-line. Clips are usually posted 15 to 30 minutes after live transmission. In the House provides an archive of more than 12,190 videos dating back to September 2009 (see related link). It is run under contract for the Office of the Clerk by Tandem Studios.
Since the introduction of simultaneous interpretation from Māori into English at the beginning of 2010, Parliament TV has been broadcasting with a choice of audio streams. The “Live streaming” page explains how to use this facility. You can hear the audio stream direct from the House (“English and Māori” option) or listen to it interpreted into English when Māori is spoken (“English only” option).
