Blue Ant Media announced today the next step in its international expansion through its acquisition of a majority stake in Choice TV, a privately owned national independent television network in New Zealand. The investment will see Blue Ant Media become the majority shareholder of the broadcast business that will continue to be led by Julia Baylis who has been with the channel since launch.
Choice TV launched in 2024 as a broad appeal free-to-air TV channel offering viewers an exciting range of programs centered on themes including travel, outdoors, food, home décor, real estate, comedy and drama. The channel broadcasts nationally on Freeview and Sky reaching all of New Zealand's television-watching households. The investment will allow the network to continue to strengthen its content development strategy and further enhance its programming schedule for viewers and advertisers.
“This partnership marks our first international broadcast investment and Choice TV programming aligns very well with our content focus,” said Michael MacMillan, CEO, 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 Julia Baylis, General Manager, Choice TV. “We look forward to enhancing our programming line up with quality content that inform, entertain and engage our audiences.”