Throng

Official data detailing August’s viewing behaviour shows 3 News has lost to ONE News in its own target demographic for the first time since the Beijing Olympics.

The average audience across the month of August 2010 shows that ONE News had 205,190 viewers aged 18-49 watching the main 6pm bulletin every evening compared to 198,650 viewers in the same age group watching 3 News.  July data showed ONE and 3 News were neck and neck with ONE News just slightly behind in TV3’s own target demographic.

The last time ONE News beat 3 News in 18-49 age group was in August 2008 (during the Beijing Olympics).

Total viewership data for all news and current affairs television programmes during August on FTA is detailed below.

AVERAGE TELEVISION NEWS VIEWERSHIP FOR AUGUST 2010

Television New Zealand has been ordered to pay costs of $1,000 after a Fair Go item was found to have breached two broadcasting standards.

The Broadcasting Standards Authority found that the item about the copyright of online photographs, which screened on 11 November 2009, breached the standards relating to accuracy and fairness.

The item featured a New Zealand woman who claimed a photo she had taken of a tree underneath a rainbow had been posted on the internet and the rights to it claimed by another person.

A reporter discussed the various websites on which she had found the photo, including a website where a man claimed to have taken the photo in Missouri, USA. The photo was shown on the website, with a caption above it reading, "A Full Rainbow, Photograph by Dan Bush".

Watching TV One's long running consumer affairs show last night on its return to Wednesday nights was highly anticipated.  A new look.  A new team.  And new segments.  But how did it stack up?

The Herald gave the new look show a fairly dismal review and you'd probably find it difficult to disagree with a lot of their comments.

They describe the show as a disjointed series of mediocre "incidents".

Ben the Builder's advice to "Do yourself some research" is sarcastically noted as a pearl of wisdom.

What they found most frightening is the use of Gordon Harcourt to track down a missing dog who had been adopted by a family living further down the street.  Gordon's role was to convince the new owners to give the dog back.

7:30pm Wednesday, May 5 on TV One

TVNZ presenter Ali Mau is co-presenting the 'new look' Fair Go when it returns to TV ONE tonight at 7.30pm.

"Mau is not just 'A List' in celebrity terms, she's one of the best and most popular television presenters in the country and a very dedicated journalist, there are few people with all the skills to step into a role like this, but Mau is the whole package and we are delighted to have her joining the team", says Fair Go editor, Graeme Muir.

The much anticipated re-launch of New Zealand's favourite consumer show sees Fair Go's famous frontman, Kevin Milne co-presenting the show with Mau and Fair Go reporter, Gordon Harcourt.

Harcourt continues reporting on Fair Go and Mau primarily presents, enabling her to continue presenting morning news and remaining an integral part of the very popular Breakfast team.

What do you think of the new look set for Fair Go?

Fair Go returns to air tonight on TV One now that Masterchef is over and will have a completely new look.  However, it could be an unfinished look.

TVNZ spokesperson Andi Brotherston tweeted earlier saying

The new Fair Go debutes tonight at 7:30pm. Editor is panicked, the new set's desk hasn't arrived, it's still being painted... ahhhhhhhh!

Nothing like a bit of drama to get the adrenaline running.  Should be a good watch tonight!

Tonight the show features an investigative story by reporter, Ruwani Perera revealing that some Cadbury chocolate bars continue to contain palm oil.

Sunday:

Iceland Volcano Disaster -  6:30pm on National Geographic
National Geographic film Eyjafjallajokull before, during and after the recent eruption.

Kaitangata Twitch: Premiere - 7pm on Maori Television
Margaret Mahy's story has been adapted into an award-winning thirteen part series, starring 13 year old Catherine Woulfe.

Doctor Who: Season 5 - 7:30pm on PRIME
PRIME brings us the new series featuring Matt Smith as the eleventh Doctor.  We're getting it only a month behind the original air-date, yay!

Wednesday:

Fair Go: New Season - 7:30pm on ONE
Tune in to see how new co-host Alison Mau does in the new-look show.

Underbelly: Season 3 Premiere -  8:30pm on TV3
This season focuses on Sydney's King's Cross in the late 80's and 90's.

Thursday:

Police Ten 7: 250th Episode -  7:30pm on TV2