By RENEE KIRIONA
After 16 years of reading the TV One news together, the partnership of Richard Long and Judy Bailey was yesterday pronounced dead.
After months of rumours and leaks, the network confirmed that Long would not read the One News 6pm bulletin next year and his contract would not be renewed at the end of this year.
Instead, Judy Bailey will front the weeknight bulletins alone.
TVNZ head of news and current affairs Bill Ralston said Long, who is recovering from a knee operation, was one of television's "newsreading icons".
"He will always be remembered as someone who could be relied upon to get on with the job and do it damn well."
The decision follows several controversial staff and programme cuts by Mr Ralston in an attempt to save $10 million.
One News' 6pm bulletin is being reviewed by TVNZ.
The news would now have a "single head news presenter format", said Mr Ralston.
'The single head newsreader style is in line with other major broadcasters around the world including the BBC, ITN and the major US networks," he said.
TVNZ wanted to focus on the content of news rather than personalities.
His rival at TV3, Mark Jennings, who has two news readers in John Campbell and Carol Hirschfeld, was not convinced letting go of Long was a wise move for One News.
"It's positive for us but they are breaking up the most powerful news presentation team in New Zealand history," he said.
"Twin presenters has proved a successful formula for us, in fact when we replaced John Hawkesby with Carol Hirschfeld and John Campbell our ratings went up."
Auckland academic and media commentator Joe Atkinson said Ralston had made the right decision.
"It is the end of an era but they [TVNZ] can't afford to have these huge presenter salaries and operate as a public service broadcaster.
"I have no doubt that Judy will be able to hold the fort. The only question now is how long will she stay?"
Bailey goes solo as Long axed
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