Broadcasting
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
Minister faces media minefield in 2019
2018 was a turbulent year for the government’s media policy. Mediawatch asks the new minister Kris Faafoi about growing demand for public money in 2019 and calls for help from private companies… Audio
‘Radical changes’ for Māori Television news
Māori Television is replacing news and current affairs shows next year with a 'Māori Media Hub' to deliver news online and on TV. Mediawatch asks its chief editor why - and how that will be done. Audio
Channelling Kiwi content to the Pacific
Winston Peters recently announced a multi-million dollar plan to pump more Kiwi TV around the Pacific. Is that what people there really want? Or it this a soft power play to project a positive picture… Video, Audio
New era in broadcasting - or more of the same?
$15 million of fresh funding for public broadcasting will be split between RNZ, New Zealand on Air and a new fund targeting "under-served audiences." It's the biggest single boost for public… Audio
Dare to stream
An Australian telco's groundbreaking online coverage of the FIFA World Cup failed to fire this week. Disgruntled punters and even the PM have forced it to put the pictures back on TV instead - and all… Video, Audio