Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: TVNZ: Emptied out

66 Responses

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  • Russell Brown,

    If you missed Media Take last night, it's here.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Steve Curtis,

    The US fully funded propaganda arms, Voice of America, WorldNet Television etc is funded to the tune of about $US 700 million.

    Isn't it tied to the Department of Defense for that to happen?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Russell Brown,

    someone senior walking the floor and talking to people.

    Good grief man that's crazy talk. They are managers, they look at spreadsheets and have lunch meetings with each other, none of that nasty communication with the staff, they have people for that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Ben Austin,

    why TVNZ has not been put up for sale yet

    Wasn't profitable enough. You need to cut costs to the bone by killing maintenance, halting any upgrades to modern technology, fire expensive staff. Then you get a bump in profits and sell quickly, hoping all the while that the buyer doesn't realise the asset needs massive reinvestment if it is to continue to earn any revenue.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    There’s public perception, which would likely run poorly for the govt selling it.

    You can't be serious. This govt sold major assets that earned millions against overwhelming public opposition. The only reason for not selling is they can't find a buyer.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • TracyMac,

    That makes sense PBS/NPR are not exactly govt-owned, because they're amazingly awesome resources despite the depredations of the last years.

    I knew they got federal funding, though, thus the confusion. But I think an actual (small) public broadcaster mandated to create NZ content would not be a bad thing. Maori TV is filling that niche in a lot odd ways, though

    Canberra, West Island • Since Nov 2006 • 701 posts Report Reply

  • sandra, in reply to Josie McNaught,

    even an experienced free lance sub can only get around $30 an hour b4 tax

    Tell me where – $30 an hour before tax, bliss. And I’ve been subbing for nigh on 40 years.

    tauranga • Since Dec 2011 • 72 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen R, in reply to Russell Brown,

    If you missed Media Take last night, it's here.

    Enjoyed that Russell, but the video crashed for me about 19:05 several times, and I had to skip the end of the discussion about the Christchurch plan in the pub courtyard.

    Toi Iti has a marvelous delivery of dry humour.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2009 • 259 posts Report Reply

  • sandra,

    I came home to New Zealand at the end of 1989, after almost a decade in the northern hemisphere. At the end of 1989 I watched the launch of TV3, and from January 1990 thoroughly enjoyed the "this is our country" television coming out of TVNZ to celebrate the sesqui, including archival footage of all sorts of events, Ruud Kleinpaste's "The Enduring Land", etc, many of which I taped to watch again. These days you can't rely on TV One for anything, even current affairs.

    tauranga • Since Dec 2011 • 72 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    The only reason for not selling is they can’t find a buyer.

    More specifically, a buyer at a non-embarrassing price.

    TVNZ was officially assessed as being worth $211 million in 2010. It could conceivably fail to fetch half of that at the moment.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • sandra,

    I saw this week's Native Affairs segment dealing with the changes at TVNZ but came away none the wiser. Te Uraroa Flavell says there was no reason he should have been informed (as Minister of Maori Development) and Mihi Forbes got nothing much out of him or her other guest, who had once worked for TVNZ, and Willy Jackson was more sound than light.
    (Disclaimer: I find her languid speaking style disconcerting in that she never sounds as if she cares about anything so miss Julian Wilcox tremendously.)

    tauranga • Since Dec 2011 • 72 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell, in reply to Russell Brown,

    TVNZ was officially assessed as being worth $211 million in 2010. It could conceivably fail to fetch half of that at the moment.

    Turnover is pretty good for that capital value - and the $18m dividend also. But who'd bet on that continuing.
    A buyer would need to strip out any subsidies, and allow for the quick depreciation of assets (technological; not so much Auckland property :))

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    The only reason for not selling is they can’t find a buyer

    Much like ACC when they tried in 2009.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Sacha,

    Much like ACC when they tried in 2009.

    And the response was to cut payments and make the "business" look more profitable - sigh.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    I agree with Russell's view of the current state of TVNZ. It is indeed a dark and dismal place to visit, and not just because of the renovations. One bright corner is the Media Take taping on Monday night (hope to get to it again next week).

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    and remove long-term costs from the books by turfing claimants

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

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