More news and current affairs, double the number of documentaries, an increase in local content, improved sports coverage and an extension of viewing hours are among the moves which will strengthen and invigorate TV ONE this year.
TVNZ Television General Manager Neil Roberts is committed to adding to the appeal of TV ONE - the channel he believes stands for the New Zealand heartland.
"TV ONE needs to live up to its position as the most watched channel in New Zealand and its reputation as the quality channel by continually revitalising and fine-tuning the schedule," says Roberts.
"TV ONE is rich in its culture and diverse in its appeal, and it's our viewers' window on the world and on their own backyard," says Roberts.
"We need to rejuvenate the programme line-up so TV ONE remains the channel viewers come to first for information, local programming and quality entertainment."
The following changes will take place on TV ONE:
- News and current affairs:
Business Breakfast with Mike Wilson, and Breakfast with Susan Wood and Mike Hosking have just been announced. Business Breakfast, a business news programme, will screen weekday mornings between 6.30am-7am, followed by Breakfast, a news and interview show, from 7am-9am. An investigative unit will soon be appointed to the newsroom.
- Returning programmes:
Viewers have already seen the return of NZ Living, Fair Go and The South Bank Show to their rightful home on TV ONE. Soon to follow are the best of HPTV programmes, such as Antiques Roadshow, Homicide and Taking Over the Asylum. A series of the successfully piloted programme Epitaph will soon screen on TV ONE.
- Drama:
Duggan, a major local drama series starring John Bach, is in development. A mini-series has already been filmed, and TV ONE is currently considering a spin-off series. The epic drama Greenstone is now funded and more news on this project is expected within the week.
- Documentaries:
TV ONE has a commitment to double the number of local documentaries commissioned each year. Two strands will be developed - a broadly accessible Heartland slot and a new strand covering more edgy, contemporary programming.
- Sport:
TV ONE is committed to improving the quality of sports coverage, particularly with regard to rugby, New Zealand's pre-eminent television sport. The final of the Super 12s has already screened without commercial interruption, and the same is planned for the upcoming rugby tests.
- Morning:
TV ONE is committed to "growing" the morning on television. When Business Breakfast and Breakfast news programmes start in August, Good Morning will move to TV ONE.
- Comedy:
TV ONE has a commitment to a new Roger Hall series, Market Forces.
- Late night:
In the same way TV ONE is committed to extending viewer hours in the morning, it will also develop the later 10pm slot. Tonight now finishes at 10pm to allow for a quality viewing slot, featuring a variety of programmes, including documentaries, drama, current affairs, sports and comedy.
- Saturday evenings:
This early part of Saturday evenings will soon be rejuvenated with an all New Zealand line-up until the Best of British slot at 8.30pm. From July 5, the top rating Air New Zealand Holiday will be followed by Letter to Blanchy at 7pm and Showcase at 7.30pm. The Bill will return with two episodes per week over summer, while Coronation Street will now screen over two episodes each week, one hour-long episode on Monday and one half-hour on Tuesday.
- Quality:
Top quality programmes due in the next six months include new shows such as: Kavanagh QC; The Grand; Silent Witness; Full Circle with Michael Palin; Karaoke; Cold Lazarus; and Tracey Takes On (with Tracey Ullman). Returning favourites include: Showcase; Letter to Blanchy; Tux Wonder Dogs; Country Calendar; Hamish MacBeth; Wycliffe; and Ballykissangel.
Upcoming Montana Sunday Theatres include: the Minette Walters thriller, The Ice House; the Oscar-wining movie The Madness of King George; the Billy Connolly feature Deacon Brodie; and a new Prime Suspect with Helen Mirren.
ends
Contact: Sido Kitchin
Phone: (09) 375-0696
Fax: (09) 375-0683
Mobile: (021) 968-212
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