Jonathan Coleman MP
National Party Broadcasting Spokesman

10 September 2007

TVNZ result shows no relief for broadcaster

TVNZ's results for the 2007 financial year predictably show no real relief in sight for the state broadcaster, says National's Broadcasting spokesman, Dr Jonathan Coleman.

“The key feature of these results is that advertising revenue is down 6.5% on last year, and TVNZ itself says that's because fewer people are watching TV1 and TV2.

“There really is no evidence that this situation is going to improve, despite TVNZ's optimistic predictions for 2008. TVNZ cannot keep cutting costs, because sooner or later programme quality will be affected.

“Audiences are falling, yet two new TVNZ channels are being launched on Freeview. If those channels succeed, they will take viewers from TV1 and TV2, and over into an environment which is going to be commercial-free for the next five years.

“How is that going to improve the bottom line at TVNZ?

“You have to sympathise with the people at TVNZ. Steve Maharey has put them in an impossible situation with the dual remit as a public and a commercial broadcaster - and the financial results are testament to that.

“There is no way things are going to improve at TVNZ while Steve Maharey remains the Minister.”

ENDS

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