TV3 confirms Paul Henry show will replace Nightline

Paul Henry is set to appear on NZ TV screens in 2014. Photo / APN

TV3 has confirmed its late-night news bulletin will "take a break" at the end of this year.

It follows mounting speculation that Nightline would be axed and replaced with a show fronted by Paul Henry.

Today the channel revealed it will bring in a new late-night news-oriented programme in the same 10.30pm slot with Mr Henry at the helm.

The Paul Henry Show will be a wrap of the day's events, TV3 said.

It is understood the new programme, which will take to the air in 2014, will aim to be an entertainment news show with a satirical bent in the vein of popular US programme, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

However, TV3 insisted it was not getting rid of Nightline, which has been on the air for 23 years, saying it "remains a valued part" of 3 News and "will sit in reserve for future years".

The channel also said the change will result in an overall increase in staff numbers.

"Most staff associated with Nightline already work across 3 News' stable of programmes, and some may work on The Paul Henry Show, which will have a strong news component," it said in a statement.

Director of News and Current Affairs at TV3, Mark Jennings said: "Nightline has been a great programme for us over many years and produced some of our best broadcasters, but the landscape is due for change and Paul Henry will lead that change in later evening viewing."