I've missed Alt TV since the music channel gave up its Auckland-region, free-to-air frequency in favour of becoming a Sky TV channel. Now the sometimes offensive, often entertaining Alt has returned in a free incarnation - at least for the next 30 days, and only on the web.

To celebrate NZ Music Month (May), Alt is live streaming its broadcasts free through alttv.co.nz/live. I'm watching right now, and on the high-bandwidth option the big screen video is smooth, and the audio coming through with nary a jitter. It's an impressive showcase for the skills of development partner Mowhawk Media and the "Stream Genies" at ISP partner Orcon. My only quibble is that it would be great to have a download option to access archives shows as well.

Speaking of internet broadcasting, Sky TV has announced a movie download service today. Ted's got some details here.

Thirty-one good reasons
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage website NZ History Online is also celebrating NZ Music Month, with a list of 31 reasons to love Kiwi music, from Sandy Edmonds ("a 1960s Kiwi Paris Hilton") to early 80s punk to various efforts to enhance or murder our national anthem. Check it out here.