TVNZ is facing more financial cuts and has announced major changes to its operations. Starting next year, the company will close its 1News website, outsource some jobs, and modify staff schedules. They aim to save $30 million through these changes.
Paul Goldsmith, the Minister for Media and Communication, stated that the media sector is under pressure, and TVNZ must be innovative and adaptable to customer needs. He acknowledged the difficult situation for TVNZ staff during this consultation process.
Willie Jackson, the Labour spokesperson for Media and Communications, expressed concern for the affected employees. He pointed out that these cuts follow reductions to popular shows like Fair Go and Sunday, as well as the closure of other media outlets like Newshub. Jackson criticized the government for not prioritizing the media sector, which contributes $4.1 billion to the economy and employs over 25,000 people in New Zealand.
Media expert Duncan Grieve noted that news organizations are struggling, and TVNZ’s focus on video content is a good strategy. He understood closing the digital news site was a difficult choice but commended the company for concentrating on what it does best. Grieve predicted that TVNZ might continue to shift towards its streaming service, TVNZ+, but wished they had made these changes earlier, as it could have helped keep certain shows running.
The planned changes at TVNZ include:
