Minister investigating TVNZ split

Photo / Greg Bowker

WELLINGTON - TVNZ could be rearranged to provide separate commercial and public service broadcasting roles under a new proposal being investigated.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman has asked TVNZ chairman Sir John Anderson to look at splitting its broadcasting roles and funding requirements, The Dominion Post reported.

Dr Coleman said yesterday decisions would be made later in the year on the future direction of public broadcasting, but he wanted to see TVNZ 7, and possibly TVNZ 6, turned into specialist public service-style channels.

Such a transformation would give viewers a clear choice of either tuning into the "nakedly commercial stuff", or broadcasting aimed at providing quality content, he said.

The Culture and Heritage Ministry and Treasury's Crown Ownership Monitoring Unit have been asked to consult with TVNZ over the proposal.

Dr Coleman said while no more money would be made available to fund state broadcasting, it was hoped profits could be lifted and, ideally, money could be channelled to the public service broadcasting arm.

He also said it could be worth exploring the use of shared news gathering resources between Radio New Zealand, TVNZ 7's news programme and possibly Maori TV.

- NZPA