TV news ratings for February 23, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Friday February 20, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 32,640 / ASB Business - 5,740
Breakfast - 102,160 / Sunrise - 28,280
One News Midday - 91,380/ 3 News at 12 - 41,270
One News - 626,120 / 3 News - 370,130
Close Up - 447,950 / Campbell Live - 251,520
Tonight - 156,830 / Nightline - 146,080

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

TV news ratings for February 20, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Friday February 20, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 37,820 / ASB Business - 3,650
Breakfast - 131,080 / Sunrise - 21,290
One News Midday - 116,760/ 3 News at 12 - 24,820
One News - 530,150 / 3 News - 268,980
Close Up - 377,570 / Campbell Live - 176,920
Tonight - 215,400 / Nightline - 116,920

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

Facebook Alert: your privacy could be in danger

A recent change to the Terms of Service on social networking website Facebook has sent shockwaves around the world, finally waking many people up the some of the realities of publishing information on the internet.

Facebook's Terms have always stated that by using their website you give them a perpetual license to use any photos or words you post to it in any way they like.

Now this means that Facebook doesn't own your information, you are just giving them the right to license it. Theoretically this suggests they could license some of your photos and comments for use in a third party's advertising campaign.

The change to the Terms on February 4, 2009 made one crucial change - the aforementioned now remains even after you delete your account.

The Facebook Terms of Service used to state that the license you grant them will "automatically expire" if you deleted your "User Content". The Feb 4 changes saw the following added to replace the expiration: "The following sections will survive any termination of your use of the Facebook Service".

What had most people angry was that users were not given any warning or announcement about the change. This meant that if a user did not like the changes and wanted to delete their account then they were out of luck as the 'you can't terminate our license' policy would already be in place.

This made news headlines around the world, and prompted many protests from Facebook users who were outraged by the change.

On February 18 Facebook gave in to the pressure and reverted to their previous Terms (last changed in September 2008), founder Mark Zuckerberg stating that "we have decided to return to our previous terms of use while we resolve the issues that people have raised."

This is not the first privacy controversy in Facebook's five year history.

In late 2007, a tracking tool called "Beacon" caught many users off-guard by broadcasting information about their online shopping and activities on other websites. Facebook initially defended the practice, but then gave in and allowed users the ability to turn Beacon off.

It seems now is the time to delete your Facebook account if you are concerned about these privacy controversies as the social networking website is likely to reveal a revised Terms of Service in the near future.

The one thing that you should always remember with publishing information (photos, comments, videos - everything is included) on the internet is that while it looks like you have the ability to delete it - most websites will always retain copies to archive.

TV News ratings for February 19, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Thursday February 19, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 33,130 / ASB Business - 5,520
Breakfast - 129,890 / Sunrise - 14,030
One News Midday - 76,810/ 3 News at 12 - 33,890
One News - 477,300 / 3 News - 305,000
Close Up - 387,720 / Campbell Live - 174,560
Tonight - 164,850 / Nightline - 112,320

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

New Simpsons opening credits

The Simpsons has debuted in High Definition widescreen, and to mark the event the makers of the popular cartoon have relaunched the opening credits of the show.

It is the first time in The Simpsons' 429 episode history that the opening credits have undergone a major revamp. They largely retain the original storyline, but feature extra moments and many new characters that now regularly appear in the show.

The writers also acknowledge the introduction of HD by having Bart write "HDTV is worth every cent" on the detention blackboard.

The launch was originally supposed to coincide with America's final transition from analogue to digital TV, however the US government has now delayed the switch-off after fearing too many people would still not have the correct equipment.

TV news ratings for February 17, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Tuesday February 17, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 18,250 / ASB Business - 1,310
Breakfast - 99,190 / Sunrise - 25,990
One News Midday - 88,000/ 3 News at 12 - 17,980
One News - 592,820 / 3 News - 315,590
Close Up - 442,580 / Campbell Live - 205,310
Tonight - 202,850 / Nightline - 152,160

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

TV news ratings for February 16, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Monday February 16, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 21,710 / ASB Business - 9,300
Breakfast - 104,300 / Sunrise - 21,760
One News Midday - 117,220/ 3 News at 12 - 44,650
One News - 637,860 / 3 News - 461,820
Close Up - 508,160 / Campbell Live - 240,540
Tonight - 164,220 / Nightline - 113,280

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

MediaWorks purchases George FM

MediaWorks Radio has announced that they have purchased the Auckland based dance station George FM.

The agreement is between MediaWorks and the urban Maori authorities; the Manukau Urban Maori Authority (MUMA) and the Waipareira Trust.

MUMA Chief Executive Officer Willie Jackson said: "There is a strong, ongoing relationship between the urban Maori authorities and MediaWorks. John Tamihere, CEO for Waipareira, and myself have worked for MediaWorks as talkback hosts for three years now they are aware of the many commitments that John and I have outside of RadioLIVE and they have been tremendously supportive of our work. We will all be working together to ensure Maori language and cultural objectives on George FM continue to be me."

MediaWorks Chief Executive Brent Impey said that he believes George FM compliments the organisations other radio stations well and that he sees it as having a winning format.

"We are keen to retain the station's successful format and fully support commitments the station has to fostering the Maori language and culture," he said.

George FM Manager Jef Kay will stay on for three months after the deal takes effect on February 28, during which time MediaWorks executive Emily Turnbull will begin assuming management responsibilities at the station.

No other staffing changes will be made.

TV news ratings for February 13, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Friday February 13, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 35,490 / ASB Business - 6,700
Breakfast - 109,230 / Sunrise - 30,320
One News Midday - 122,680/ 3 News at 12 - 23,520
One News - 550,210 / 3 News - 311,920
Close Up - 408,150 / Campbell Live - 196,220
Tonight - 191,470 / Nightline - 126,300

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

Prime News Special

Branching out from just being first at 5.30, Prime News is holding a special bulletin this Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Entitled "Australian Bushfires - The Aftermath", the special will be hosted by Eric Young and discuss stories of survival and tragedy through the disaster. It will also look at what is next for the residents of Australia, and what New Zealand can do to help.

The special sounds very similar to what One News has done in the past, and it is good to see Prime putting more emphasis on their news and branching out from just the 5.30 format.

Tony Veitch returning to television

Disgraced broadcaster Tony Veitch is set to return to television this Wednesday after resigning from his jobs seven months ago amid allegations of assault against former partner Kristin Dunne-Powell.

Veitch will appear as a panelist on the Sky Sport show Deaker on Sport.

Host Murray Deaker believes that Veitch deserves another chance and "couldn't care less" about those who are critical of the move.

"He hasn't had any work for six months and the case is many months away from being heard so, in my opinion, it's time he got back on the horse again."

Deaker on Sport screens at 8.30pm Wednesday on Sky Sport 2.

Kiwi head of news at BBC World News

BBC World News has really been getting a Kiwi feel to it lately. First there was a haka performed live on air this week, and now the announcement that a New Zealander has been appointed head of news at the network.

Andrew Roy, 49, has been made head of news after 20 years at the network. He had previously been the deputy head of news

Roy, originally from Christchurch, studied journalism in Timaru and began his career at Radio New Zealand.

BBC World News reaches an estimated 76 million viewers worldwide.

Andrew Roy's appointment as head of news made the headlines in Britain for being accidentaly leaked by his boss on internet site Twitter. English tabloid The Sun ran the headline "Bumbling BBC Chief in Tweet Gaffe".

Former Juice TV presenter joins Shortland Street cast

The Juice TV presenter formerly known as "Verge" has joined the cast of TV2 soap Shortland Street.

Virginie Le Brun began filming as new head of surgery Dr Gabrielle Jacobs a few weeks ago and will debut on screens during March.

The character of Gabrielle Jacobs will have Aspergers Syndrom, a type of high-functioning autism that has seen her do well in her career, but not helped with her social life.

Virginie Le Brun has also featured as a presenter on kids show What Now?

TV news ratings for February 12, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Thursday February 12, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 22,790 / ASB Business - 9,070
Breakfast - 126,100 / Sunrise - 25,860
One News Midday - 108,610/ 3 News at 12 - 31,770
One News - 641,500 / 3 News - 327,460
Close Up - 513,540 / Campbell Live - 210,340
Tonight - 232,510 / Nightline - 140,380

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

Edie Britt leaves Wisteria Lane again

Not long after revealing two main characters are being written out of Grey's Anatomy, we can now also report that Nicollette Sheridan is leaving Desperate Housewives.

Sheridan plays controversial neighbour Edie Britt in the hit ABC series.

Unlike the Grey's announcement, this one was confirmed by the ABC network itself, but no details were given about when or why the departure will take place.

Sheridan's character left Wisteria Lane during the 2008 season of Desperate Housewives but returned for the 2009 season when the show had moved five years into the future.

It is being speculated the character of Edie will be killed off this time.

TV news ratings for February 11, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Wednesday February 11, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 28,950 / ASB Business - 13,270
Breakfast - 123,880 / Sunrise - 28,130
One News Midday - 108,400/ 3 News at 12 - 28,590
One News - 566,330 / 3 News - 286,290
Close Up - 443,600 / Campbell Live - 182,370
Tonight - 202,320 / Nightline - 163,000

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

Māori perform haka on BBC World

The New Zealand government has announced a deal that acknowledges Māori ownership of the Ka Mate haka - famous for being once performed by the All Blacks before each of their rugby games.

This news has made headlines across the world, including the BBC which has included informational videos entitled "What exactly is a haka?" and "How to respond to a haka" to their website.

To add to their coverage BBC World invited members of the Māori Arts Performing Company to perform a haka live in the BBC News studio.

The clip of their haka is currently the most popular video on the BBC's website.

Click here to view the haka being performed in the BBC studio.

George and Izzie to leave Grey's Anatomy?

In what is probably a bit of a blunder, a co-star of TV2's Grey's Anatomy has told the media that Katherine Heigl (Izzie) and T.R. Knight (George) are leaving the show.

James Pickens Jr, who plays Richard, recently revealed this to Us Weekly magazine, also alluding to the fact that Knight is leaving the show of his own accord.

Publicists for the show and the actors are keeping quiet on this one - know knows, maybe Pickens Jr. has just lined himself up to be the next one on the chopping block.

TV news ratings for February 10, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Tuesday February 10, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 29,780 / ASB Business - 23,900
Breakfast - 125,350 / Sunrise - 36,680
One News Midday - 118,800/ 3 News at 12 - 40,550
One News - 583,780 / 3 News - 410,610
Close Up - 442,620 / Campbell Live - 255,660
Tonight - 194,560 / Nightline - 223,500

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

TV news ratings for February 9, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Monday February 9, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 38,970 / ASB Business - 10,400
Breakfast - 135,040 / Sunrise - 31,200
One News Midday - 134,410/ 3 News at 12 - 20,110
One News - 652,860 / 3 News - 382,540
Close Up - 507,320 / Campbell Live - 238,100
Tonight - 184,800 / Nightline - 180,520

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

Telecom to have stake in Australian Vodafone

An Australian business merger is seeing New Zealand's Telecom move surprisingly closer to the Vodafone brand.

The third and fourth largest mobile phone companies in Australia, Vodafone and Hutchison Telecommunications (owner of the '3' brand), have proposed a 50/50 merger that will see them able to successfully take on the dominant players in the market.

New Zealand's Telecom is a 10 per cent shareholder in Hutchison Telecommunications. They also have a representative on the board.

The new company called VHA is expected to be established by the middle of the year, and they will retain the existing Vodafone brand across the country.

Telecom is not currently commenting on the implications of the Australian merger.

Sacha McNeil co-hosted today's Sunrise

Carly Flynn was back presenting segments of Sunrise live from Victoria this morning, so Sacha McNeil took on the dual role of news presenter and co-host in the studio.

I was actually quite impressed with Sacha in the more informal hosting role, and she seemed very relaxed which was great.

There were a few moments where Sacha found herself saying "now it's me with the news" before swivelling her chair around to sit in front of the blue wall, but for just one episode these moments were relatively entertaining.

I wouldn't mind seeing Sacha McNeil in a fill-in role more often, perhaps bringing in Kate Lynch to read the news if she does end up filling in for Carly again.

Sunrise had best Victorian fire coverage

TV3's Sunrise easily had the best coverage of the devastating Victorian fires this morning. Carly Flynn presented large segments of the show live from Melbourne, Australia where she spent time talking with 3 News Australian correspondent Amanda Gillies.

Oliver Driver presented the other segments of the show from the Auckland studio.

From what I have heard, Breakfast only spoke to a reporter via telephone. During the time I spent on TV One this morning all I saw was Paul and Pippa in the studio talking about John Key's cast.

It will be interesting to see tomorrow whether or not an obvious win in coverage for Sunrise will mean any increase in ratings, or if people are only watching their news out of habit.

TV news ratings for February 6, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Waitangi Day - Friday February 6, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 16,710 / ASB Business - no broadcast
Breakfast - 88,780 / Sunrise - 24,450
One News Midday - 116,680/ 3 News at 12 - 29,960
One News - 497,510 / 3 News - 205,430
Close Up - 340,930 / Campbell Live - 104,120
Tonight - 178,780 / Nightline - 112,920

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

Australian news veteran killed in bushfire

Former Nine Network newsreader Brian Naylor and his wife Moiree are among the 96 already confirmed dead in the Victorian bushfires.

The couple's lawyer John Beckwith revealed the deaths in a statement to the media.

"The family of Brian and Moiree Naylor are mourning the loss of their father, mother and grandparents in the tragic fire at Kinglake West," the statement said.

"They request that their grief and privacy be respected by the media at this time of great family distress."

The 78-year-old's media career spanned more than 40 years and included work at both the Seven and Nine Networks.

Naylor became the chief Melbourne newsreader for Seven in 1970, before leaving to present for the rival Nine Network in 1978. He remained as anchor of Nine's top rating news service at GTV-9 until retiring in 1998.

Former colleague Tony Jones was covering the aftermath of the fire at Kinglake and said the scene at one particular street was horrifying.

"It was absolutely awful, and knowing that it was Brian's street, everyone just looked at each other and feared for the worst, because we had been trying to call him on his mobile all day, and I guess now we know why," said Jones to the Fairfax Radio Network.

Nine Network news director Michael Venus has described Naylor as a "consummate professional" and Sky News journalist John Gatfield has said his former colleague is "somebody that everybody in Victoria will relate to".

Many more tributes for the veteran newsreader are sure to surface in the coming days.

Carly Flynn live from Australia

As announced at the end of 3 News tonight, tomorrow's edition of Sunrise will feature Carly Flynn presenting live from the scene of the fires and extreme heat in Australia.

Sunrise has been rather interesting lately - Carly Flynn also spent time with the family of Halatau Naitoko, and there was a whole episode dedicated to 'P' addiction.

What surprises me though is the lack of advertising for these special features. I usually only see the one quick ad during 3 News each evening - this should be played more often throughout primetime.

In tonight's case, even the ad didn't mention Carly would be in Australia (as the ad was filmed on Friday) - the only mention of it that we got was a quick sentence from Carolyn Robinson at the end of the news bulletin.

TVNZ's Kate McCallum cleared of superbug

Close Up producer Kate McCallum tested positive for the superbug MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) while working undercover in an Auckland rest home in January.

TVNZ are now reporting that Kate has been cleared of the superbug after successfully completing a course of prescribed medication.

It turned out that the residents of that rest home weren't the only ones not being cared for. As a new staff member, Kate was not informed that several patients had MRSA until after her first day on the job, and was also not informed of the proper safety precautions that should have been taken.

First cancellations of the season for TV3

After only two weeks on air, food and wine shows World Kitchen and Chateau Monty have become the first in TV3's 2009 season to be cancelled.

The shows aired on Saturday nights from 7.30pm, but will be replaced in that timeslot next week by popular British renovation series Grand Designs.

The NZ Herald reported that TV3 wanted to give Grand Designs a break to provide more variety - but this obviously wasn't what viewers wanted, as neither of the shows performed well.

World Kitchen and Chateau Monty will reappear on TV3 in the Sunday afternoon slot from 4.30pm on February 15th.

TV news ratings for February 4, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Wednesday February 4, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 28,570 / ASB Business - 16,630
Breakfast - 111,640 / Sunrise - 30,440
One News Midday - 98,520/ 3 News at 12 - 22,620
One News - 531,380 / 3 News - 322,680
Close Up - 380,050 / Campbell Live - 188,580
Tonight - 146,880 / Nightline - 199,440

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

Allyson Gofton not so lovely?

C4's Select Live this evening asked viewers to call in with stories of meeting celebrities.

One caller recalled a day when former Food in a Minute presenter Allyson Gofton came into her workplace in Newmarket asking for help. The shop assistant says she tried her best to help the infomercial host, and that Gofton then walked out of the store promising she would come back later.

Gofton then reportedly called the head office of the chain to make a complaint about that particular sales assistant saying that she "knew nothing" and was "a moron".

Luckily the store management didn't seem to pay too much attention to Gofton's power tripping.

TV news ratings for February 3, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Tuesday February 3, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 43,110 / ASB Business - 11,930
Breakfast - 113,500 / Sunrise - 22,500
One News Midday - 114,700/ 3 News at 12 - 32,860
One News - 573,690 / 3 News - 353,720
Close Up - 451,810 / Campbell Live - 185,460
Tonight - 110,850 / Nightline - 171,110

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

Super Bowl interrupted by porn; PRIME anyone?

While the world is busy talking about Jennifer Hudson's fantastic rendition of the American national anthem, some residents of Tucson, Arizona will still have their minds on a different kind of entertainment seen during this years Super Bowl.

About 10 seconds of pornographic material, reportedly known as 18 'n' Up Wet Poons, was broadcast during KVOA-TV's Super Bowl coverage to viewers who receive the channel through Comcast's SD cable feed.

The pornographic interlude came within the final minutes of the game.

KVOA-TV says that their feed was sent out without any interruptions. Comcast has admitted their standard definition feed did cause the interruption and already have engineers seeking to find the cause.

A similar incident occurred on New Zealand's own PRIME channel last year, when the hardcore porn film Desperate Blackwives 2 interrupted the Grassroots Rugby show for several minutes.

TV news ratings for February 2, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Monday February 2, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 30,270 / ASB Business - 5,400
Breakfast - 108,630 / Sunrise - 24,740
One News Midday - 104,380/ 3 News at 12 - 31,060
One News - 617,020 / 3 News - 335,310
Close Up - 497,270 / Campbell Live - 170,910
Tonight - 108,100 / Nightline - 165,020

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

New look for Te Karere

Today marks the 25th anniversay for TVNZ's Maori language news bulletin Te Karere. To celebrate this milestone Te Karere was given a complete makeover, with new graphics, new music and a new set.

Te Karere is now broadcast from the One News set, and in a way this shows the network giving the bulletin more importance. It was also extended to a half-hour bulletin from today and for the first time features the weather in Maori.

It was odd not having the usual Te Karere theme music, but I do like this new mix. However the new music does remind me of 3 News just a bit...

For the very first time I can actually say that all the wood on the One News set looks good with the other colours being used!

TV news ratings for January 30, 2009

The following is the television news show viewership for Friday January 30, 2009.

TVNZ / TV3
NZI Business - 20,200 / ASB Business - 5,440
Breakfast - 99,420 / Sunrise - 31,210
One News Midday - 85,240/ 3 News at 12 - 64,610
One News - 466,450 / 3 News - 307,300
Close Up - 355,640 / Campbell Live - 175,340
Tonight - 193,740 / Nightline - 127,820

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