Blue Ant Invests in New Zealand Broadcaster Choice TV

TORONTO: Blue Ant Media has purchased a majority stake in Choice TV, a free-to-air TV channel in New Zealand that features programming in the genres of travel, outdoors, food, home décor, real estate, comedy and drama.

The channel airs on Freeview and Sky, reaching all of New Zealand's TV-watching households. Blue Ant becomes a majority shareholder in the broadcast business, which will continue to be led by Julia Baylis. Baylis has been with the channel since its launch in 2012.

“This partnership marks our first international broadcast investment and Choice TV programming aligns very well with our content focus,” said Michael MacMillan, the CEO of Blue Ant Media. “As a growing international media company we see this venture as a great opportunity to further diversify our asset base with a like-minded independent media company.”

“The Blue Ant Media investment provides strategic growth for Choice TV, positioning it for continued success in the rapidly changing media environment,” said Baylis, the general manager at Choice TV.  “We look forward to enhancing our programming lineup with quality content that informs, entertains and engages our audiences.”