Broadcasting
Govt delays decision on NZ's public broadcasting future
The National Party says the delay of a final Cabinet decision over public broadcasting is the latest broken promise in the government's so-called Year of Delivery.
Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi… Audio
A fresh survey of the worrying state of New Zealand media companies
Our Fourth Estate is "collapsing" according to Winston Peters. This week he set out what he wants as the coalition government ponders a new policy for the media - due to be unveiled any day now. But… Audio
Ian Cross: editor, broadcast boss, critic and conscience
Former public broadcasting boss and Listener editor Ian Cross died earlier this month aged 93 leaving behind a lasting legacy in New Zealand journalism. He also presided over the creation of TVNZ and… Audio
RNZ and TVNZ could be replaced with new entity
The fate of RNZ and TVNZ may soon be in the hands of Ministers. News today of a proposal to disestablish both broadcasters and create an entirely new public media entity. Audio
Could RNZ as we know it be a thing of the past?
A proposal to disestablish RNZ and TVNZ and replace it with a new public media entity, funded by both the tax payer and from commercial revenue, is to go before Cabinet ministers within weeks. The… Audio
TVNZ's local content play
As the government ponders its policy for the media, state-owned TVNZ has got a green light to put millions of dollars into ”betting big on local content”. This week it unveiled its programmes for… Audio
TV sell-off prompts political response
MediaWorks' move to cut off its TV arm has swung the spotlight onto the government's plans for broadcasting. Politicians sent out distinctly mixed messages this past week ranging from staged… Audio
History behind a paywall - and on screen for free
You paid for a TV programme about how modern New Zealand was built - and you have to pay again to see the earlier episodes behind a paywall. Meanwhile, Parliament TV is screening stuff from the… Audio
Rugby TV deal creates claims of conflicts
Sky and NZ Rugby sprang a surprise this week making a unique deal for TV rights with no bids from any other broadcaster. It's raised questions about conflicts of interest - and compromises in… Video, Audio
Mediawatch for 20 October 2019
MediaWorks TV on the block; comedy cuts point to bigger TV problems; rugby TV deal creates claims of conflicts and compromise Audio
MediaWorks TV on the block - what next?
Broadcasting company MediaWorks intends to sell off its television operations, putting TV channels Three, ThreeLife, the joint-venture Bravo and news service Newshub in limbo - and hundreds of jobs… Audio
Sudden comedy cuts no laughing matter for MediaWorks
Broadcaster MediaWorks is cutting key local TV comedies. Mediawatch says it’s a further sign of the company’s deepening problems and wider troubles in free-to-air television. And it is also a headache… Audio
Sky TV's 'all or nothing' move on rugby
The nature of Sky TV’s new deal to secure premier rugby rights shows how far the under-pressure broadcaster was prepared to go to hold on to a key asset and it keeps online rivals at bay for now, says…
Coming up
Sports rights storm gathers steam
A typhoon over Tokyo scrapped Rugby World Cup games this weekend – while the scrap over who will screen our favourite sports here in the future intensified.
Clare Curran quits politics after controversial Cabinet career
The former Cabinet Minister Clare Curran, who was sacked from cabinet a year ago, is to quit Parliament at the next election.
She has been Labour's MP for Dunedin South since 2008. Ms Curran resigned… Video, Audio
Convergence: yesterday’s buzzword the new normal
Once upon a timeour major media companies and telcos were none of each others' business. Now they are all up in each others' business because of 'convergence' driven by digital technology and the… Audio
Broadcasting watchdog targets ‘harm’
‘Freedom in Broadcasting without Harm’ is the newly-stated mission of our most powerful media watchdog. The BSA is also asking if broadcasting standards need to change after the Christchurch mosque… Audio
Mediawatch for 30 June 2019
Advocacy ads needs checks before cheques; broadcasting policy goes backwards; The Spinoff recruits its readers; transport stats taken for a ride. Audio
Budget 2019 not transformative for media
The broadcasting funding changes in Budget 2019 weren't exactly headline-making stuff. There were only incremental increases and the abandonment of the only major innovation arising from Budget 2018… Audio
Hannah Burgoyne - Heritage Tour of the Former 1YA Building
On Saturday 1 June, Auckland University's Gus Fisher Gallery will be hosting a special anniversary heritage tour of the Former 1YA Building on the anniversary of the first television broadcast in… Audio