KEY POINTS:
Jane Wilson
General manager of programming TVNZ
Responsible for programming on TV One and TV2, Jane Wilson, 37, has worked in television for her entire career. She started in TVNZ's publicity department and then worked for big-name networks in Australia and the UK. She has also been a researcher, producer and programmer. Unmarried and with no kids, she lives in central Auckland and outside of work likes movies, reading and painting. She was the only programmer who was too busy to do a phone or face-to-face interview for this story but answered questions by email.
What makes a good programmer?
Experience, intuition, editorial skills and an inherent love for story-telling and informing people. You also need a healthy dose of competitiveness and an objective view on what other people enjoy.
How do you describe your job to other people?
I usually say I work in TV. If they probe further, I say I work in programming - most people think I am talking about computers. If I elaborate further it inevitably gets into a discussion about what they like and don't like.
What's your proudest career moment?
Being given the opportunity to programme TV One, as it has such a heritage and is a channel that New Zealanders really care about a lot.
What's the worst?
Pulling The Sopranos to hold the last few episodes for the next season; it infuriated the viewers and I quickly learned to never do that again.
Do you have a viewer in mind when you programme for TV One and then for TV2? Who are they?
No one in particular can fit a particular mould as people have eclectic viewing habits and choices and it depends on the mood and expectations of a viewer at any one time.
It has been said that TVNZ has been block-buying shows to lock out other players. How do you respond to that? It's not true.
Is there a trend or show in TV that has rated really well that took you by surprise?
No, I'm surprised when things don't work!
Is there a show that another network has that you wished you had?
There isn't really anything performing well enough on the other channels that we consider would perform better on TV One or TV2.
Do you consider yourself a taste-maker?
No.
Are you obsessed with ratings?
Yes. My day doesn't normally start until I know the ratings. It used to dictate my moods depending on how well we did - now with two channels I am much more balanced because I can find something good about the ratings on either TV One or TV2.
Can you watch TV for fun?
Not really. When I watch programmes go to air I am always looking at the promos and what we are promoting and the presentation of the channel. It can be quite stressful.
What shows do you like to watch?
On TV2, I am big fan of Desperate Housewives, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Shortland Street - the usual suspects. I also enjoy 20/20. On TV One, I watch Sunday, the Sunday Theatres and all of the documentaries. I like to watch the local shows on the other networks.
Kelly Martin
Director of Programming TVWorks
Kelly Martin, 41, has worked at TVWorks for the past eight years and is responsible for the content and scheduling across TV3 and C4. Her 20-year career in TV has seen her shuttling between TV3 and TVNZ. While she loves working at TV3, she admits to being jealous of the big budgets at TVNZ. Martin lives in Auckland's Mt Albert with her husband and two children. Outside of work you'll find her mountain biking with her husband, cooking, walking the dog on the beach and relaxing with her family.
What makes a good programmer?
Someone who realises that it's not all about them and someone who can keep it all in perspective. It is only telly after all.
What's your proudest career moment?
Bringing Bro'Town and Outrageous Fortune to air. At the time they both seemed so risky - an animated Pacific Island-based comedy and a local drama - and they've become amazing success stories which I think really define what makes TV3 special.
What's the worst?
Don't make me share that (laughs). No, I don't really mind as I publicly acknowledge failure on a daily basis when we review the ratings (laughs). Project Runway did reasonably on Friday nights but when I first scheduled it on a Sunday night it bombed. The public can be very unforgiving so I'm pleased we managed to reprieve it.
Is there a show or trend that has rated well that took you by surprise?
There have been some local light-entertainment shows that I really don't get. I understand why people watch the first show but not why they keep coming back. I'm surprised they don't have higher expectations.
Any big shows that you wished you had?
My friends ask me why I didn't get Desperate Housewives (TV2) but they don't realise that we never had a chance because our network doesn't have a deal with Disney. The international network deals can be a bit of a crapshoot but you've just got to make the most of any advantage you have.
Do you consider yourself a taste-maker?
Not really, although I think about what people want to watch on a daily basis and you do have to lead to a certain extent. People will always say they love documentaries and the news but viewing patterns don't necessarily bear that out.
Are you obsessed with ratings?
Yeah, I check them every morning and it can make or break my day. It's like getting a report card on your work every morning.
Can you watch TV for fun?
No, because I'm always thinking about the schedule or the promotions. Wondering why they've done something a certain way and thinking about how I'd do it differently. If I'm watching TV3 or C4 then I watch for every little mistake and if I see one I have to resist the urge to send an email from my home computer asking what went wrong.
What shows do you like to watch?
I love Bones and I'm quite fond of procedural shows in general but that's not why we've got a lot of them on TV3. I'm a big fan of The Office, 3rd Rock and Curb Your Enthusiasm. I quite like cynical shows but then I try to temper them a bit. New Zealanders really do get a collection of the best shows from the UK and America.
Karen Bieleski
Channel manager Prime Television
Bieleski started her TV career on the other side of the camera - as a six-night champion on game show Sale of the Century. In addition to winning a slew of prizes, her time on set and within the TVNZ building gave her some insight into the interesting jobs available in the industry. Formerly general manager of programming at TV One, a restructure at the state broadcaster saw her join Sky and programme Prime. She lives in Takapuna and has no children. She was unwilling to disclose her age but does admit to being in Prime's demographic. A recent work trip to LA saw her meet the infamous Paris Hilton who was "tiny and orange but more on to it than you'd think".
What makes a good programmer?
Experience helps as you get to know what works and what doesn't. You have to be decisive; you can't second-guess yourself all the time.
What's your proudest career moment?
Recently, it would have to be Flight of the Conchords. I saw a pilot and was so convinced it was going to be a hit I just had to have it. [The show was passed over by TVNZ but has been so successful on Prime it has screened twice. The second season will play on Prime.]
What about the worst?
When I programmed the Gormenghast series on TV One I let my love of the Mervyn Peake [fantasy] books cloud my judgment. It didn't rate, but at least I got Christopher Lee on TV at 9.30pm, which was something.
Is there any trend or show that has taken you by surprise?
I don't really get the reality dance genre but in saying that I did programme Baby Ballroom on Prime.
Are you obsessed with ratings?
You have to be as that is how you are judged.
New Zealand's Got Talent is the first big local production for Prime. Why that show?
It's very democratic because everyone of any age can sing or play music or perform a talent of some kind.
What shows do you like to watch?
I love Mad Men, Dr Who, Heroes, Lost. I'm obsessed with Dexter and Project Runway was a guilty pleasure. The Soup [E! channel] is a must for anyone associated with television and I also like a few sci-fi and UKTV shows. I tend to follow writers, so I will watch anything by David E. Kelley (Boston Legal), Russell T. Davies (Doctor Who) or Joss Whedon (Firefly).
I love TV!
