TVNZ to deliver via PS3?

Kiwis may be able to access Television New Zealand's Ondemand online television service through the PlayStation 3 from early next year.

TVNZ spokeswoman Andi Brotherston confirmed that the broadcaster would make an announcement about an "exciting partnership" with PlayStation 3 manufacturer Sony in the new year, but would not elaborate on what New Zealanders could expect.

The broadcaster was forced to release a statement after Sony announced on a blog that on-demand television websites from various countries would be accessible through the internet-connected game console, and displayed the TVNZ Ondemand icon.

The icon was promptly removed from the blog, triggering a flurry of speculation online.

The deal with Sony would let people catch up on TVNZ programmes on their television sets rather than their computers.

Sony confirmed earlier this month that it would not launch its popular PlayTV service in New Zealand this year.

The service would let users record Freeview high-definition programmes to a PlayStation 3 through an electronic programming guide and play them back on television.

The website Game Console reported that Freeview's electronic programming guide was incompatible with the PlayTV software, and that this had caused a delay.