Hearing for Country Channel adjourned

The liquidation hearing into Sky Television's Country Channel has been adjourned to give the company a chance to defend itself against claims that it owes a shareholder $1 million.

Andy Tyler, managing director of Digital Masters, which owns the Auckland studio where the channel was based before broadcasting ceased in July, is seeking liquidation.

Mr Tyler, who is also a dry stock farmer, claims that the $1m debt built up after the channel failed to attract its targeted 25,000 subscribers by February. Only 7000 signed up.

The company, part-owned by Hamilton entrepreneur Dallas Fisher, was the subject of a High Court hearing in Auckland on Wednesday, which was adjourned until March 15 for a defended hearing.

Mr Fisher said the Country Channel, which had no other unpaid bills, was disputing the amount and hoped to settle with Mr Tyler before the March hearing.

Broadcasting ceased in July after Mr Tyler locked other shareholders out of the studio.

The only New Zealand programme was Farmgate, which featured a segment from Hamilton journalist Philippa Stevenson.