Mark Weldon's reign: TV3's best and worst of his time as MediaWorks' CEO

After MediaWorks CEO Mark Weldon's resignation this morning, it's seems only fitting we take a look back at his time with TV3.

Despite the criticisms, walk outs and ratings fails, it hasn't been all bad.

The downside:

John Campbell's departure from TV3 was one that shook the nation. He was a respected journalist and a well-loved presenter, a voice for the people, and many heralded his departure as the death of quality TV journalism.

TV presenter and journalist John Campbell. Photo / Greg Bowker

But Campbell was only the first to go. Hamish McKay, Paula Penfold - wife of Barry's co-presenter Mike McRoberts - and the rest of the 3D investigative journalism team Melanie Reid, Phil Vine, Eugene Bingham and Sarah Hall all called it quits.

Most shocking of all though, was the departure of Hilary Barry, whose resignation came after 23 years of service. Much like Campbell's departure, it was as if the nation went into mourning. People lost even more faith in the network.

There was also that leak by a Newshub journalist in which they spread sensitive economic information from the Reserve Bank, which lead to the cancellation of all 'lockups' for other news organisations.

TV3 sacked Willy Moon and Natalia Kills from The X-Factor NZ after the husband and wife judges bullied a contestant on live TV.

And of course there are all the reality shows that either tanked, or became the shows we loved to hate, like Dancing with the Stars, Masterchef, Come Dine with Me and The X-Factor NZ.

The bright side:

Love it or hate it, at least we know about The Bachelor. It's the show everyone's been talking since it started. Unlike the other reality offerings served up by MediaWorks, The Bachelor has turned into one of New Zealand's most successful reality TV shows.

The contestants from the second season of The Bachelor NZ.

And if we're talking successful reality TV shows, The Block NZ deserves a special mention. While not as inherently talkable as The Bachelor, The Block has rated consistently and grown its own avid following.

In current affairs, Paul Henry made a triumphant return to TV screens with New Zealand's first TV and radio morning show combo, and the incredibly smart decision to pair him with Hilary Barry was made.

Paul Henry's breakfast show has been a triumphant return for the presenter.

And even though viewers heralded the death of quality journalism after the loss of Campbell and 3D, The Nation, The Hui and Story pushed on without faltering, 3 News made a fairly easy transition into Newshub, and the newly-launched Friday Story has debuted to positive reviews.

- nzherald.co.nz