A war of words has broken out between internet provider Slingshot and the country's main TV networks over a ban on ads for its new streaming TV service Global Mode.
Slingshot has now had ads for the new service banned by all major New Zealand TV networks.
The service lets people watch overseas TV networks like Netflix, but Sky, TVNZ and MediaWorks are all refusing to screen the ads.
Slingshot's general manager Taryn Hamilton says they are trying to quash competition. He says it's completely unjustified and the networks have been pressured by big TV studios to act.
But MediaWorks says it has withdrawn the ads over questions of the service's legality.
"Our advice is that Slingshot’s latest development to Global Mode means the user of Global Mode is breaching copyright, and advertising that presents it as legitimate and legal is misleading, and may also be a breach of the Fair Trading Act," the company said in a statement.
"MediaWorks takes its responsibilities as a broadcaster seriously. We understand complaints may have been made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and have informed Slingshot we are withdrawing these commercials until such time as the ASA has ruled on the matter."
Mr Hamilton says the move is outrageous and an example of old-school thinking and is calling for the Broadcasting Minister to step in.
The matter has been referred to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which will rule on the matter.
3 News
source: newshub archive
