TV firm goes into receivership

Psychic investigator Kelvin Cruickshank of Sensing Murder, a show Ninox has sold overseas.

A receiver has been appointed to one of New Zealand's most prolific TV companies, Ninox Television, maker of shows including Location, Location, Location and Sensing Murder.

Receiver Stephen Lawrence of PKF Insolvency and Recovery declined to give details about the company and the status of creditors.

A Ninox director, John McEwan, said the receivership was part of a restructuring exercise and did not affect the operations of the company.

Managing director David Baldock said Ninox was operating successfully, with Sensing Murder sold overseas.

The Wellington firm launched a David and Goliath copyright battle with United States and Australian television channels over the format for its long-running show Dream Home, sponsored here by Mitre 10.

In the US in 2003 Ninox won a settlement against Turner Broadcasting Systems over similarities in a show it discussed with advertising agency McCann Erickson and a TBS show.

Ninox also lodged an unsuccessful claim in Australian courts against the Australian Channel 9 and its house renovation programme The Block.

Jane Wrightson, chief executive of New Zealand On Air, said $50,000 of public money would be frozen in the receivership.