New Zealand’s fast-growing multiethnic communities in general and the Indian community in particular will benefit from the strategic media partnership just established between one of the fastest growing New Zealand television channels and your favourite newspaper.
Triangle Television, adored by tens of thousands of Indian television viewers for creating a platform for a number of programme providers to air community programmes and their favourite Bollywood movies, has just joined the galaxy of sponsors of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards (IBA) 2011.
The partnership would also bring veteran broadcaster David Beatson as our Master of Ceremonies at the Gala Black Tie Cocktails, Dinner and Awards Presentation Night to be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland City.
Triangle Television, which also owns Stratos Television Limited (viewed on Channel 89 of Sky TV) will sponsor the ‘Best Businesswoman of the Year’ category.
Chief Executive Jim Blackman said that Triangle Television was delighted to be a part of IBA 2011.
“We believe that the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2011 play an ongoing vital and important role by acknowledging the tremendous business acumen and entrepreneurial drive that contributes so much to the broader New Zealand society.
“Not only do they recognise the achievements of today but throws down the challenge for business excellence for tomorrow,” he said.
Mr Blackman is widely acknowledged as the chief architect behind the continuing success of Triangle TV, which he established 13 years ago. He and his team of professionals have overcome several teething problems and successfully countered a number of challenges to become one of the most widely viewed television channels in the country.
He said the Company grew from a community initiative to bring local and regional television to our screens in a way that television had never done before.
The goal was to provide programming “of the community, for the community,” and for some communities this often meant broadcast in indigenous language – something that not heard on New Zealand Television earlier.
A million viewers
Since those trying years, Triangle TV has come a long way, broadcasting in 40 languages, appeasing at least 50 multicultural communities – all free to air.
With state-of-the-art technology and a professionally qualified team, Triangle Television grew from strength to strength, reaching about 400,000 viewers.
“Combined with Stratos, our sister channel that has nationwide reach, our programmes are now viewed by about one million people,” Mr Blackman said.
Although this media partnership is as fresh as last week, Indian Newslink has had the pleasure of reporting about the progress of Triangle TV since long.
Almost seven years ago, writing in our November 1, 2004 Diwali Special, we had said that the free-to-air programmes on this television challenges were gathering increasing viewer support.
“From a single provider of entertainment programmes a few years ago, this Channel today extends a platform for local presenters with increasing Indian content,” we had said.
In the same issue, Mr Blackman had paid tributes to the Indian community but had said it had remained in isolation for a long time.
“But it is emerging vibrant with several cultural and social activities held from time to time and Triangle TV is happy to be involved with many of them,” he said.
The television company has enjoyed a mutually beneficial association with ethnic business communities, particularly Indian businesses in the greater Auckland region for several years.
Mr Blackman feels gratified that the relationship has continued to flourish and extended to its sister network (Stratos Television).
“Over the years we have been privileged to screen a wide range of programming from both local and international sources and we have enjoyed our direct involvement by supporting many local events such as Diwali Festival, Miss India and Mr India Competitions and the ‘Bollywood and Beyond’ Film Festival.
“As a result, we have come to know and respect the diversity of business endeavours and entrepreneurial expertise in the Indian community,” he said.
“The Indian community has embraced the opportunity to use the channels and in addition to programmes targeted to the Indian community, we feature regular subtitled Bollywood movies that attract a truly multicultural audience.”
New Challenges
New Zealand is phasing out its analogue broadcasting with a complete switchover to digital technology, covering the entire country by the end of 2013.
Mr Blackman said the switchover would bring with it new challenges.
“Triangle needs to be prepared to meet these challenges. Stratos will play a major role in this transition, bringing a bigger audience on a number of different platforms,” he said.
Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2011
Our Sponsors & Awards
BNZ Partners Title Sponsor; Best Large Business and Supreme Business of the Year
Two Degrees Mobile Limited: Best Small & Medium Sized-Business
Singapore Airlines: Business Excellence in Innovation
Kalamazoo Group: Business Excellence in Customer Care
New Zealand Career College: Business Excellence in Export Business to India
Reesby & Company: Business Excellence in Property Investment
Patton Limited: Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Triangle Television: Best Businesswoman of the Year
Radio Tarana: Business Excellence in Marketing
Our Panel of Judges
Chad Wilkie, Executive Director, Ignition Partner Limited (Convenor)
Chip Dawson, Managing Director, International Business Management Ltd
John Quirk, Director & Partner, Howard & Company
Dr Claire McGowan, Managing Director, Commercialisation Advisers Ltd
Nevil Gibson, Editor-in-Chief, The National Business Review
Peter Bradley, Managing Director, Qatalyst BioConsulting
Ray Knight, Founder-Director, SPI Capital
Steve Corbett, Chief Executive, e-Centre Ltd, Massey University
Tim Livingstone, Senior Partner, UHY Haines Norton, Chartered Accountants
Tony Bacon, Sector and Partner Manager, Vodafone NZ
