Te Karere on air for 25 years

TVNZ's Maori language news bulletin Te Karere will celebrate 25 years on air next week.

The milestone for Maori broadcasting will be marked on Monday with new opening titles and a brand new set. The new set could possibly be shared with One News or Breakfast/Close Up.

Te Karere began as a 2 minute news update in Maori language week, but from Monday for the first time will become a full half-hour news service. The bulletin will now also feature a weather section.

The new-look Te Karere begins on Monday at the new time of 4pm and will be watched by a number of former staff members and other guests invited to celebrate at the TVNZ building in Auckland.

TVNZ announces Hannah Hodson's replacement

TVNZ have announced that former One News reporter Steve Marshall will rejoin the team as the new Australian Correspondent.

He arrives as the permanent replacement for Hannah Hodson, who resigned from the position after an altercation with pop star Pink and her management in 2008.

Marshall began working for One News in 1996, and in 2000 moved from the Auckland newsroom to the Sydney bureau. He stayed with TVNZ until 2003 when he left for the Australian ABC network.

For the past three years Marshall has been working as the ABC's foreign correspondent based in Papua New Guinea - a role considered the ABC's toughest posting.

Marshall has broken a number of exclusive stories including the West Papua Boat people and the Australian soldier hangings. It is stories like these that led to him winning a prestigious international journalism award.

He will begin his two year stint back at TVNZ in March.

3 News to add Tauranga to metropolitan weather first

The Bay of Plenty Times has reported that 3 News is set to beat TVNZ by adding Tauranga as a main centre on their weather forecast from tonight.

TV3 Director of News & Current Affairs Mark Jennings says that the plan to add Tauranga to their weather bulletin was not prompted by TVNZ's plans to do so and revealed they have been making preparations for weeks.

"Since the news came out that Tauranga had passed the 116,000 mark, for me that was a bit of breaking story," said Jennings.

Tonight's weather on 3 News will be presented by Mike Hall from Mauao at Mount Maunganui and feature an interview with Tourism Bay of Plenty's general manager Tim Burgess.

TV3 also plans to install a $5,000 weather camera in the city of Tauranga.

News ratings for January 29, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Thursday January 29, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 24,660 / ASB Business - 9,240
Breakfast - 107,340 / Sunrise - 25,670
One News Midday - 119,990/ 3 News at 12 - 35,360
One News - 548,310 / 3 News - 297,570
Close Up - 442,830 / Campbell Live - 188,050
Tonight - 185,550 / Nightline - 91,640

Source: AGB NMR (Measurement: All people 5 years and over - average audience nationwide)

TV Guide's Shortland Street spoiler - Maia Jeffries killed Ethan Pierce

In a suprising move, the TV Guide has today revealed that it was nurse Maia Jeffries (Anna Julienne) who shot surgeon Ethan Pierce (Owen Black) dead in last year's season finale of TV2's Shortland Street.

The TV Guide says that in tonight's episode of Shortland Street Alice Piper (Toni Potter) will undergo hypnotherapy that reveals Maia was the shooter. Alice had previously been unable to remember who else was at the house as she was extremely intoxicated at the time.

In a Media Fetish poll, Maia was the third choice as Ethan's killer - after Brooke Freeman (Beth Allen) and Alice.

The story features the warning "Caution! Spoiler Alert" in the top left corner, however many fans are now expressing their annoyance at the article for ruining the storyline, as the small message in the corner could hardly stop a reader from realising what the article is about (see image above).

It was an interesting move by the TV Guide, and it is not yet clear whether it was a publicity stunt arranged with TVNZ, or if the magazine went against the wishes of the broadcaster in order to increase their own sales.

The character of Maia is still featured in the shows synopsis over the next few weeks, so soap fans who were expecting to see the killer dragged away in chains this week will have to keep waiting!

24 moving from TV3 to C4

In case you weren't aware, the Emmy award-winning action show 24 is moving from TV3 to C4 this season and will begin only weeks after it's premiere in the United States.

The thing is though, many people I have spoken to were not actually aware of this - even those who have been fans for years.

There has been plenty of advertising for the show both on C4 and on their website, but there are many who would still believe C4 to be the pure music channel it once was and therefore miss these ads all together.

C4 has been moving towards a general entertainment channel recently, but I believe there needs to be more cross advertising for it's shows on TV3 to make people fully aware of this.

TV3 have started advertising what is on C4 in their evening menu, but I think stand-alone advertisements for C4's drama shows on TV3 would be a very smart move - especially for shows like 24 that many are probably expecting to return to TV3.

News ratings for January 28, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Wednesday January 28, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 27,710 / ASB Business - 13,270
Breakfast - 125,390 / Sunrise - 29,340
One News Midday - 96,550/ 3 News at 12 - 40,600
One News - 543,780 / 3 News - 313,190
Close Up - 370,460 / Campbell Live - 175,430
Tonight - 185,460 / Nightline - 123,180

Source: AGB NMR (Measurement: All people 5 years and over - average audience nationwide)

Video: TV2's 2009 new season ident

Here is the ident for TV2's 2009 new season. The international segments from the ad have been taken from ABC's Fall 2008 promo in the United States, but I must say it is an excellent advertisement - probably one of the best that TVNZ has ever had. They are extremely lucky that ABC made an ident that could be morphed into their own.

Thanks to YouTube's KangaAriki.

News ratings for January 27, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Tuesday January 27, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 18,350 / ASB Business - 18,670
Breakfast - 114,640 / Sunrise - 32,500
One News Midday - 122,110 / 3 News at 12 - 29,280
One News - 528,800 / 3 News - 320,340
Close Up - 428,870 / Campbell Live - 154,760
Tonight - 148,720 / Nightline - 152,420

Source: AGB NMR (Measurement: All people 5 years and over - average audience nationwide)

News ratings for January 26, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Monday January 26, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 22,210 / ASB Business - 19,930
Breakfast - 103,900 / Sunrise - 25,510
One News Midday - 96,870 / 3 News at 12 - 31,640
One News - 509,310 / 3 News - 300,700
Close Up - 371,420 / Campbell Live - 151,210
Tonight - 124,290 / Nightline - 152,820

Source: AGB NMR (Measurement: All people 5 years and over - average audience nationwide)

ALT TV to be sold

Media sources are reporting that Oliver Driver and his other business partners are looking to sell alternative music channel ALT TV.

Driver and the three other 25 per cent shareholders - founder Thane Kirby, Ricky Newby and former Sky Entertainment corporate boss David Kennedy - are reportedly already in talks with an interested party.

ALT TV began on a weak UHF frequency in Auckland but gained popularity when moving onto the Sky platform. There are also still talks to include ALT TV on Freeview.

ALT TV often gained media interest due to controversial interviews, as well as the introduction of the naked newsreader Lisa Lewis (pictured right).

The group are adamant that there are no financial issues surrounding their departure from the channel, but that they are simply moving on to new ventures.

Founder Thane Kirby is to become programme director at dance radio station George FM.

Oliver Driver is the co-presenter of TV3's morning current affairs show Sunrise.

Hilary Barry joins RadioLIVE

3 News presenter Hilary Barry is joining Marcus Lush as the news anchor on the RadioLIVE breakfast show from Monday February 9, 2009.

Barry's central role within the 6am-9am breakfast show will be a half hour current affairs feature at 7am. 'The World at 7' will feature interviews with the days newsmakers and information from New Zealand and around the world.

RadioLIVE programme director Mitch Harris said "the addition of Hilary Barry represents an exciting next step in the evolution of the station, along with the introduction of The World at 7 which will offer listeners a superior morning news package, wrapped up in a half hour."

Hilary Barry is looking forward to her new role. "It’s going to be a great year for RadioLIVE and I'm very excited to be joining the team."

As well as her new RadioLIVE role, Barry will continue to present 3 News at 6pm as well as read the morning news on 26 MORE FM stations across the country.

One News adds Tauranga as a main centre on weather forecast

TVNZ has announced that in the coming weeks Tauranga City will be added to the One News metropolitan weather forecast.

Tauranga recently overtook Dunedin as New Zealand's 5th largest city and this prompted One News Editor Paul Patrick to give the city a more detailed weather forecast.

Tauranga will now have it's own urban city hover alongside Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

"In November last year I asked for the graphics to be created so we could add Tauranga as the 6th city in the metropolitan forecast and I've just been told the project is complete and we should have it up and running within a fortnight", says One News Editor, Paul Patrick.

"Jim Hickey and Karen Olsen are especially excited about adding Tauranga to the metro forecast and Jim is keen to broadcast from the Western Bay on the night we launch it".

The exact launch night should be known by Wednesday next week.

News ratings for January 21, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Wednesday January 21, 2009 - the day of President Obama's inauguration.

TVNZ / TV3
Breakfast - 129,760 / Sunrise - 42,090
One News Midday - 92,380 / 3 News at 12 - 17,460
One News 6pm - 525,440 / 3 News 6pm - 283,430
Close Up - 372,910 / Campbell Live - 189,240
Tonight - 139,060 / Nightline - 185,620

Source: AGB NMR (Measurement: All people 5 years and over - average audience nationwide)

New Zealand's Next Top Model auditions complete

The auditions for New Zealand's Next Top Model are finally complete after judges Sara Tetro, Colin Mathura-Jeffree, and Chris Sisarich spent the last month travelling the length of the country.

The auditions began in Queenstown on December 15, 2008, and included 16 different stops across the North and South Islands. The final audition was held in New Plymouth yesterday.

Hundreds turned up to audition for the TV3 reality show, but only about 10 per cent were sent through to the second round which included participating in a photo shoot and performing a piece to camera.

These hopefuls should find out by Sunday whether or not they will be one of the 33 to feature on the television show. The first episode of the series will see the 33 cut down to the group of 13 finalists.

Filming begins in February and New Zealand's Next Top Model will screen on TV3 later this year.

News ratings for January 20, 2009

The following are the television news show ratings for Tuesday January 20, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
Breakfast - 118,220 / Sunrise - 29,490
One News Midday - 94,800 / 3 News at 12 - 26,660
One News 6pm - 553,290 / 3 News 6pm - 348,320
Close Up - 447,120 / Campbell Live - 240,400
Tonight - 120,600 / Nightline - 181,270

Source: AGB NMR (Measurement: All people 5 years and over - average audience nationwide)

Close Up producer catches superbug while undercover

TVNZ producer Kate McCallum has tested positive for the superbug MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) while working undercover in a resthome for current affairs show Close Up.

"We sent Kate out to try and get work in a rest home that we had received complaints about, she was taken on without providing a CV or any scrutiny of her background whatsoever", said Close Up Executive Producer, Mike Valintine.

McCallum only discovered that several of the patients she had fed and cared for that day had MRSA after already completing her first day of training.

"Kate wasn't told to wear gloves or a mask nor was she advised to take rudimentary precautions like washing her hands between patients so after discovering she was exposed to a superbug we immediately had her tested and the results revealed she has MRSA".

TVNZ has been told that she is in good health and expected to make a full recovery.

News ratings for January 19, 2009

These are the ratings for Monday January 19, 2009 - the first full day of news and current affairs shows for both networks this year.

TVNZ / TV3
Breakfast 88,570 / Sunrise 21,160
One News Midday 114,860 / 3 News at 12 39,010
One News 4:30pm 53,320 / (no bulletin)
One News 6pm 593,830 / 3 News 6pm 350,080
Close Up 446,650 / Campbell Live 187,190
Tonight 140,180 / Nightline 173,410

Source: AGB NMR (Measurement: All people 5 years and over - average audience nationwide)

The EU wants Internet Explorer unbundled

The European Union has decided that Microsoft including Internet Explorer with it's Windows operating systems violates it's antitrust rules.

"Microsoft's tying of Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system harms competition between web browsers, undermines product innovation and ultimately reduces consumer choice," the EU said in a statement.

Microsoft have been given a chance to respond, however they have said that they will conduct their business in "full compliance with European law".

An investigation by the EU found that including Internet Explorer in the Windows operating system makes the browser available on 90% of the world's PCs, therefore distorting competition.

Even though Microsoft is an American company, it must meet the EU's antitrust rules if it wants to do business within the 27-nation union. The rules are in place to prohibit companies from abusing a dominant market position.

Fairfax sells Southern Star Television for $93 million

Fairfax Media Ltd has sold the Southern Star Television production and distribution business to Endemol for $A75 ($NZ93) million, plus an earn out.

The sale is condition on obtaining regulatory approvals and certain other matters and its expected to be completed in first quarter of 2009.

Fairfax Media will retain the ownership of Southern Star Factual, the UK-based natural history, science and factual producer formerly known as Oxford Scientific Films, and its 75 percent stake in leading UK children's interactive producer Darrall Macqueen.

Source: NZPA

New-look Close Up for 2009

Well here is the Breakfast set transformed for Mark Sainsbury's Close Up!

They do a good job of redecorating the morning version of the set, however I must say I wish they would have a similar flooring to this on Breakfast.

It is a huge improvement over the previous version of the Close Up set, and the new colouration and design gives the show a completely different feel - unlike Breakfast which still seems very similar to the old.

The new opening credits for Close Up are alright, but the first thing they made me think of was Coca-Cola. After seeing the red background with a white swirl I almost forgot about the shows actual sponsor...

What do you think of the new-look Close Up?

New set for Breakfast

Breakfast unveiled a new set for the 2009 season this morning, but I must say I am quite disappointed.

The colouration is very similar to the old one, they have just added a lot more bits and pieces to the walls. It is nice to see a large screen being used in the set, however the corner screen Paul and Pippa do most of their shots in front of looks rather odd.

The worst part of the new set is the placement and look of the news desk. Peter seems somehow more disconnected than usual - John Key pointed out that he looks like the Maître'De of a restaurant. The shot of him reading the news in front of that screen just looked terrible, and I am sure the screen behind him was slightly out of focus.

Overall, a slight improvement on some aspects but not really anything special.

What do you think of Breakfast's new set?

Poll Result: Shortland Street Homicide

Shortland Street returns tonight at 7pm on TV2 and will dive straight into a 'whodunnit' storyline after the 2008 season finale saw villain Ethan Pierce shot by an unidentified assassin.

Media Fetish ran a poll this month to see who our fans think shot Ethan Pierce, and here are the results:

Who shot Shortland St's Ethan Pierce?
1. Brooke (26%)
2. Alice (24%)
3. Maia (20%
4. Chris (15%)
5. Libby (12%)

More NZ content being watched in Australia

We are today seeing an unprecedented amount of New Zealand television shows being screened in Australia.

These include shows such as Orange Roughies, Police Ten 7, The Zoo, Coastwatch, Wild Vets, Bro'Town, Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby and Outrageous Fortune.

The NZ Herald reports that Coastwatch and Wild Vets were watched by 800,000 Australians last week, and that Police Ten 7 has drawn over a million viewers in the past.

But why is it now that Kiwi shows are popping up more and more across the Tasman?

One contributing factor is that the previous Howard Government in Australia allowed New Zealand-made shows to contribute to the "Australian content" quota required of all broadcasters.

Under the rule Australian networks are required to ensure at least 55% of their content are locally made shows. Last year the Ten Network met at least 20% of the quota by playing New Zealand shows.

Many Australians are up in arms and calling for the rule to be changed, as they believe that for every hour of New Zealand television that goes to air an hour is taken away from local production companies.

However Jane Wrightson, the chief executive of NZ On Air, believes that the sudden increase in Kiwi content in Australia is a great thing and that their presence is not taking away too much from the Australian industry.

Wrightson believes that our factual programming translates very well to Australian audiences and for this reason sees it more beneficial to screen these shows in place of the American content networks usually fill their schedule with.

"I know the Australian producers can get a bit twitchy about this but I don't think it's a matter of New Zealand content supplanting Australian content. I think it's more a case of New Zealand content supplanting American content."

New Zealand has been screening Australian-made television shows for many years to great responses, so it is about time that Australia gave our content the same opportunities.

Full list of 2009 Golden Globe winners

Here are all the winners from the 2009 Golden Globe awards, including New Zealand's own Anna Paquin!

MOTION PICTURES:
Picture, Drama: "Slumdog Millionaire."
Picture, Musical or Comedy: "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
Actor, Drama: Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler."
Actress, Drama: Kate Winslet, "Revolutionary Road."
Director: Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire."
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Colin Farrell, "In Bruges."
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Sally Hawkins, "Happy-Go-Lucky."
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight."
Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet, "The Reader."
Foreign Language Film: "Waltz With Bashir."
Animated Film: "WALL-E."
Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire."
Original Score: A.R. Rahman, "Slumdog Millionaire."
Original Song: "The Wrestler" (performed and written by Bruce Springsteen), "The Wrestler."

TELEVISION:
Series, Drama: "Mad Men."
Actor, Drama: Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment."
Actress, Drama: Anna Paquin, "True Blood."
Series, Musical or Comedy: "30 Rock."
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock."
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Tina Fey, "30 Rock."
Miniseries or Movie: "John Adams."
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Laura Linney, "John Adams."
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Paul Giammatti, "John Adams."
Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Laura Dern, "Recount."
Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Tom Wilkinson, "John Adams."
Cecil B. DeMille Award: Steven Spielberg.

Telecom closes down Ferrit website

Telecom announced today that they will be shutting down their online shopping website Ferrit.

Ferrit was started up in 2005 and has played a huge role in helping New Zealanders feel comfortable doing retail shopping online.

Telecom says that the decision to close down Ferrit "reflects that there has been a range of changes in both the telecommunications landscape and the company's strategic priorities since Ferrit first launched in 2005."

Ferrit has been a big loss-maker for Telecom and it would have taken them years to make a profit. While Telecom will not release any figures, industry insiders estimate Ferrit to be a $30 million investment project.

Ferrit was seen to be the "pet project" of former Telecom CEO Theresa Gattung, however under the new leader ship of Paul Reynolds the telecommunications giant is directing the focus back to core business such as mobile communication and broadband.

Ferrit has 24 full-time staff and Telecom say they will do their best to place these people elsewhere within the company.

The Ferrit website will continue to take orders until 5pm on Wednesday, 14th January.

BSA upholds a second complaint against Shortland Street

Despite controversial storylines for 15 years, TV2 soap Shortland Street managed to avoid any complaints being upheld by the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA).

This all changed last month when the show received it's first warning over a homosexual love scene. Within weeks of this ruling Shortland Street has been dealt with a second due to unsuitable violence.

Mark Turner of Christchurch complained to the BSA that the episode featuring the death of core character Dr Craig Valentine breached standards of good taste and decency and was not suitable to be screened at 7pm.

The episode saw thugs run Dr Valentine's car off the road and chase him through the bush as he had incriminating evidence against a large pharmaceutical company. The men fought with Dr Valentine before beating him with a baseball bat and then burning him alive in his car.

A PGR warning screened before the show, but the BSA ruled that this episode was unsuitable for children even if accompanied by a parent and that it should have been classified as Adults Only.

However, because the ruling was not made unanimously no penalty will be imposed on TVNZ.

Looking back on 2008

2008 is gone, and the new year has arrived! Media Fetish will be better than ever in 2009, but to kick things off let's look back at some of our most popular stories of the previous year.

July 2008
PRIME accidentally screened hardcore pornography during it's Grassroots Rugby show.
Tony Veitch resigned from TVNZ and was replaced by Peter Williams for their Olympic coverage.
Jay Leno announced he will be leaving the Tonight show in the US.
TVNZ changed the name of their election coverage to Election 08 after Decision 08 also appear on TV3.

August 2008
Another error by ISP Slingshot saw customers lose their privacy on sites such as Bebo, Facebook and Trademe.
TelstraClear entered the NZ cellphone market.
The Beijing Olympics were criticised for fake child singers and fireworks but Kiwis tuned in by the millions.
News of a gold medal win for NZ was screened by TV3 before TV One, despite One being the Olympic broadcaster.

September 2008
TV3 revealed great new sets for their news and current affairs shows.
Peter Williams joined Bernadine Oliver-Kirby as a weekend presenter for One News.
Allyson Gofton announced she is leaving Food in a Minute in January.
TV3 cancelled their leaders debate.

October 2008
Oliver Driver replaced James Coleman on Sunrise.
One News reporter Hannah Hodson physically fought with Pink's staff over an interview tape.
Campbell Live was in hot water over the staged medal thief interview.

November 2008
Freeview announced the launch of a digital recorder - myfreeview.
TV3 confirmed New Zealand's Next Top Model.
TV3 announced the 2009 launch of a +1 channel on Freeview.
Hannah Hodson resigned from TVNZ following the Pink incident.

December 2008
The Goodnight Kiwi returned to TVNZ for a series of holiday idents.
Sky announced the April 2009 launch of The Comedy Channel.
For the first time, a complaint was upheld by the BSA over a Shortland Street love scene.
One News reporter Barbara Dreaver was sent packing from Fiji.