TVNZ's blog

Television New Zealand has confirmed its strong commitment to providing New Zealand’s leading News and Current Affairs programmes, delivering the best of international content through its international output deals, and continuing to provide New Zealand’s most popular local shows.

This evening the broadcaster unveiled an unprecedented line-up of new and returning programming for 2013 at a trade and media launch in Auckland. Amongst the shows revealed are some of the most highly anticipated dramas, factual programmes and entertainment from New Zealand and around the world. Continue reading »

A Canterbury diva, a Sonny Bill Williams look-alike and an inspirational grandmother are amongst the second selection of 30 semi-finalists to be announced on TV ONE’s New Zealand’s Got Talent.

New Zealand’s Got Talent judges Jason Kerrison, Rachel Hunter and Ali Campbell have chosen five more of their favourite acts to go through to the next round of the competition. Continue reading »

A macabre magic troupe, a quirky tin whistler and a hip-hop dancer extraordinaire are amongst the first of 30 semi-finalists to be announced on TV ONE’s New Zealand’s Got Talent.

New Zealand’s Got Talent judges Jason Kerrison, Rachel Hunter and Ali Campbell have chosen six of their favourite acts to go through to the next round of the competition. Continue reading »

TVNZ is proposing to end weeknight current affairs show ‘Close Up’ as this year winds down.

If the proposal is confirmed, a new daily current affairs show with a distinctively different format would launch in the 7pm slot in the new year.

TVNZ Head of News and Current Affairs, Ross Dagan, says the proposed closure of the show is a pro-active response to feedback that television viewers are looking for something fresh and quite different in early evening current affairs. Continue reading »

This Sunday Q +A will screen an exclusive in-depth interview with US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta.

It is the first time in 30 years that a US Secretary of Defence has been in New Zealand, following the breakdown of the ANZUS treaty over New Zealand’s anti-nuclear policy.

TVNZ Political Editor Corin Dann will interview Secretary Panetta, who will meet both New Zealand Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman and Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully during his time in the country. The visit follows the signing of the Washington Declaration in June between Panetta and Coleman, which aims to strengthen and expand the bilateral defence relationship. Continue reading »

Mitre 10 Dream Home is back and headed for Canterbury!

Returning to TV2 with a few renovations of its own, this iconic series will challenge two Cantabrian couples to master the DIY build of their lives.

In what will be a life changing series for one, or both of the couples, New Zealand will be with them, room by room as they transform the old to the new.

This new series of Mitre 10 Dream Home is eco-friendly and it’s about building smarter. It will also include useful information and practical demonstrations for anyone with DIY in their DNA. Continue reading »

Post punk revival meets Mommbahto as TVNZ U announces five stand out NZ finalists, whittled down from 400 entries.

Tune is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an up-and-coming Kiwi musician to have their song professionally recorded, produced and played on U for the next 12 months, thanks to Kit Kat.

Now it’s up to the nation to vote for their favourite track. Voting is open from Thursday 13 September to Sunday 7 October 2012 on u.co.nz/tune.

Oliver Sealy, U channel manager says, “We were blown away by the amount of talented entries that came through. We can’t wait to see how the voting goes and who will come out on top and become our channel music.” Continue reading »

TVNZ has advised that the sale of its Avalon Studio facility in Lower Hutt has now become unconditional.

The change of ownership to a Wellington consortium, Avalon Holdings Ltd, will take place on March 31, 2013.

The consortium is made up of local business interests including Wellington businessman John Feast, and two Avalon staff members who each hold a minority shareholding. Continue reading »

New Zealand’s biggest entertainment event of 2012, New Zealand’s Got Talent, has become the most watched debut episode of a TV entertainment series in the past eight years.

Last night over 1.4 million Kiwis tuned in to watch the first episode of the talent extravaganza which showcases the best and most entertaining talent from around the country.

With 47 per cent of the available audience watching, NZGT achieved a massive 22.9 per cent rating amongst all New Zealanders aged 5 +.

In TV ONE’s target demographic of 25-54 year olds the show also scored big, with a massive 21.4 rating and attracting more than half a million viewers, out-rating all other channels in the same time zone.

During last night’s show, #NZGT was also the top trending topic on Twitter globally and continued to stay in the top ten well after the show had ended. Continue reading »

Television New Zealand yesterday reported an increase in After Tax Profit for the year ended 30 June 2012 – from $2.1 million in the prior year to $14.2 million.

Advertising revenue was $313.7 million, up $9 million on the prior year and TVNZ increased its share of television advertising revenue to 62.2% from 61.6% in the prior year and secured 92% of the total market growth for the 12 months ended 30 June 2012.

Underlying earnings of $27.9 million decreased by just under $4 million on the previous financial year.  Increases in the cost of television programming, particularly overseas programming, were the primary driver of lower underlying earnings. Continue reading »