Tough-talking Aussie takes reins at TV3

Ian Audsley. Photo / Supplied

The tough-talking Australian hired to run TV3 and C4 says he is committed to local content from MediaWorks' TV operations.

Ian Audsley - who stepped down as chief operating officer of Australia's Nine Network in April last year - said he was not taking on a 12-month contract with his sights set on cuts.

The 48-year-old Australian television executive, who runs his own consultancies, says he has no pre-determined view on the future of Sunrise - TV3's money-losing breakfast show.

Under an unorthodox arrangement after the exit of group chief executive Brent Impey, Audsley and MediaWorks radio boss Sussan Turner will report to the MediaWorks board, which reports to owners at Ironbridge Capital.

There is pressure for MediaWorks to deliver profits in an advertising slump while meeting large debt burdens from Ironbridge's purchase of the company at the height of the acquisitions boom in 2006.

There has been speculation of further cost- cutting at TV3, especially since the resignation of Impey, effective on December 31.

Comment from Australian media linked Audsley with tough-talking former Nine Network chief executive Sam Chisholm, who hired him at Nine. One comment described Audsley's role as chief operating officer at Nine as Chisholm's "hatchet man".

"Never mind what you read about me on Google," Audsley told the Herald.

Some will see Audsley as overqualified for the role.

A key part of his 12-month appointment will be to help to find his own replacement - a permanent executive director of TV.

Audsley will accelerate rather than calm speculation of more big changes in the year to come.

He said he supported news content but hinted at a change in TV3's approach to local production.

Unlike TVNZ, in the past MediaWorks has not sought intellectual property rights for local shows.

Audsley said intellectual property was important for the future of free-to-air television.

MediaWorks chairman Brent Harman yesterday told staff that over the next few months the board intended to devote considerable focus to assessing the digital future for its television business.

"The board's brief to Ian is to assist the board to grow the business and capitalise on new opportunities."

He said Audsley had a distinguished record of almost 20 years of Australian television management.

Audsley said in a memo to staff: "My focus will be on just that, growing the business and capitalising on the new opportunities that exist for leading media organisations like MediaWorks.

"The board sees substantial opportunities for innovation, particularly in the digital and online environment."

Audsley said he would be dropping his roles working as a contractor for Lexicon Partners and with his own media consultancy.

Harman said: "We identified Ian as the most qualified immediately available external candidate to take up the TV role. Upon further reflection, the board decided to make his a relatively short term appointment rather than appointing someone permanent to the role straight off."