Country Calendar
| Hyundai Country Calendar | |
|---|---|
| Narrated by |
Frank Torley (until 2015) Dan Henry (2016-present) |
| Opening theme | "Hillbilly Child" by the Alan Moorhouse Band |
| Country of origin | New Zealand |
| No. of episodes | 1,100+ |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Julian O'Brien Dan Henry |
| Camera setup | Widescreen |
| Running time | Approximately 22 minutes (without commercials) 30 minutes (including commercials) |
| Release | |
| Original network | TVNZ 1 (1966–present) |
| Picture format |
720p, PAL (2011–present) 576i, PAL (1974–2010) 576i, black & white (1966–1974) |
| Original release | 6 March 1966 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | tvnz |
Country Calendar is a New Zealand documentary television series focusing on rural life in New Zealand. It has been aired on TVNZ 1 since March 1966, making it New Zealand’s longest-running television series. Since 2013 the show aired for a season of 30 weeks per year, however as of 2016 it is being broadcast for 40 weeks a year. Episodes from the 2013 season to present are available to watch online, through TVNZ OnDemand.
Country Calendar is currently produced by Julian O’Brien, with associate producer Dan Henry. Frank Torley was well known as the narrator of the show, and also produced the show for 23 years. Torley died in March 2016 following a short battle with cancer.
The Country Calendar theme song is from the song “Hillbilly Child” by the Alan Moorhouse Band. Hyundai New Zealand is the show’s naming rights sponsor, with previous sponsors including The National Bank, financial services company AMP, and Tux dog biscuits.
Country Calendar was first broadcast on 6 March 1966, primarily as a news show for farmers. It was presented by Fred Barnes, and was approximately 14 minutes in length. The show was primarily shot in a studio, with around 5 minutes shot in the field usually, due to budget constraints. The first field report focussed on a Central Otago apricot orchard.
The show was originally developed to be strictly for farmers, however when Tony Trotter became producer of the show in 1974 he decided to market the show towards a more general audience. Trotter also chose the Country Calendar theme music, Hillbilly Child by British musician Alan Moorhouse, which is still used by the show today.
Frank Torley began contributing to the show as a reporter in its first few years, and 10 years later moved to the show full-time, becoming producer in 1980. He was well known as the “gravelly Mr Country Calendar voice”, and became the show’s full-time narrator from the start of 2014. Torley retired from the show in October 2015, after developing vocal nodules. He died in March 2016 after a short battle with cancer.
In the 1990s Country Calendar moved to Saturday nights, after 23 years being broadcast on Sunday. The 1990s was also the first time a sponsor was added to the show’s title.
Country Calendar has received NZ On Air funding since 1991, and is the longest running programme the agency has funded.
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Wikipedia