New Zealand TV

I've been holding onto the info for this post for a while.  When we were sick, I got a chance to thoroughly inspect NZ TV.

• There are seven local channels.  Sky TV, with ~60 channels, is also available, but we're not paying for it.  Plus, less TV equals more time outside!
• I think Kiwis want to feel big and important in the world.  As such, there are TWO primetime shows showing NZers attempting (and often succeeding) to beat Guinness world records.
• Other primetime shows are ones we're familiar with in the States, but we would not consider good primetime fare:  Wipeout, Rock of Love, I Love New York.  (What must they think of Americans, if this is their glimpse into our world??)
• The Biggest Loser Australia is a daily, daytime show.
• I'm used to watching CNN and LA news, with high production values.  News shows here all feel like the local news from the UP (not that there's anything wrong with that!!)
• The regular channels play music videos.  Any time of the day or night, you can watch videos.  Ironically, I am now more familiar with the popular music scene than I was in LA.
• Heavy metal, and I'm talking Rough heavy metal, like Mastodon, Lamb of God, and Rammstein, is popular and heavily advertised.  Though I haven't seen any of their videos... maybe that's a bit too rough for the viewing public.
• TV is more bawdy here.  For instance, there is swearing.  The 'F' word not bleeped out on action movies.  The 'S' word USED FREQUENTLY ON THE 6:00 NEWS.
• Some commercials are borderline racist/sexist.  There's one about a Jamaican guy saying 'me love da herbal, mon', and there's one where the spokescritter for a feminine hygiene line is an, um, beaver.