- New Zealand's only TV motoring show is crossing the ditch.
- Tarmac Life TV will soon screen in Australia on local channels in Adelaide and Melbourne.
- The show recently aired its third season on Sky Channel 83 in New Zealand.
New Zealand's only locally made motoring television show, Tarmac Life, is officially crossing the Tasman after being picked up for broadcast by Melbourne-based Channel 31 and Adelaide-Based Channel 44 in Australia.
The expansion with Channel 31 and Channel 44 represents a significant step for Tarmac Life TV as the show expands its audience. The Australian broadcast will introduce viewers to the show's unique New Zealand perspective while showcasing some of the most interesting vehicles, destinations and automotive stories from both sides of the Tasman.
"Cars don't really care which side of the Tasman you're on," said Tarmac Life TV presenter and founder (and DRIVEN Car Guide contributor) Dave McLeod.
"Australia and New Zealand share an enormous passion for motoring, but we also have very different landscapes, cultures and automotive stories. Being able to take Tarmac Life TV into Australia is hugely exciting for us. We're looking forward to bringing our style of storytelling to a whole new audience."
McLeod says that at the heart of Tarmac Life TV is a simple idea: cars are meant to be experienced, and the show has tackled everything from off-road courses and racetracks to international automotive events, while also exploring the technology, people and destinations behind the vehicles.
The result, he says, is a show that aims to entertain first, inform second and hopefully make viewers want to jump in their own car and go somewhere.
While Tarmac Life TV is currently broadcasting in New Zealand on Sky Channel 83, McLeod says the addition of Channel 31 and Channel 44 gives the show an important new platform and opens the door to even more cross-Tasman automotive storytelling.
"Getting onto Australian television is a huge moment for us," he said.
"Tarmac Life started with a very simple idea: create a car show that we'd actually want to watch ourselves. To now have people watching it in Australia is pretty bloody cool. But we're only just getting started."
Tarmac Life TV airs Thursdays at 8.30pm on Sky Channel 83 in New Zealand, with Australian broadcast times yet to be announced. Episodes are also available on the Tarmac Life You Tube channel.