Channels vie to score Homer-run

By REBECCA BARRY

TV3's bid for the 7pm viewing stronghold starts tomorrow when it screens the first episode of The Simpsons.

But fans of the popular animated television series face a confusing array of choices as TVNZ and Sky still have contractual rights to some episodes.

While TV3 heavily promotes what it hopes will be a ratings winner, TVNZ says it has another year's worth of repeats to screen on TV2, home of The Simpsons for 14 years.

TV3's trump card is the 15th season, now showing in the United States. The new season will start here soon.

TV3 marketing manager Roger Beaumont said despite its competitors showing episodes it wanted to screen The Simpsons as soon as possible.

It would not gain access to the entire back catalogue until early next year.

"It's a show that can sustain numerous repeats," he said. "Serious Simpsons fans will be able to watch the show nightly, which is a real luxury. And because it's screening at 7pm it's a more accessible time-slot as it's not up against the news at six."

The channel emphasised TVNZ's loss of the show when "removal men" carted a packaged replica of the Simpsons off the forecourt at TVNZ's Hobson St studios yesterday. An advertising agency filmed the stunt before security asked them to leave.