Montana Wearable Art Awards to change channel

The Montana World of Wearable Art (WOW) Awards are changing channel this year.

TV3 will this year be broadcasting a programme on the awards, which have formerly been covered by TVNZ, with Petra Bagust fronting the programme.

WOW chief executive Gabrielle Hervey said the organisation had had an annual contract with TVNZ which was dependent on getting New Zealand on Air funding.

"The big deciding factor on whether to change channels or not was TV3 was prepared to commit to broadcasting this as prime-time, and obviously that's very important to us."

Producer John McDonald said Bagust was a presenter at the 1998 awards and loved the concept.

A crew of 30 would film the event over two nights, with an outdoor broadcast truck housing a large editing team.

"We are very aware of the privilege it is to be filming the event, which will be held in Nelson for the last time this year, and want to capture the atmosphere and excitement of the show."

The TV3 programme, which is being made with assistance from NZ on Air, will screen on Saturday, September 25 at 7.30pm.

- NZPA