TVNZ tries to get a jump on Holmes

TVNZ is expected to announce plans for the important 7pm current affairs slot in the first week of December, says a well-placed source.

The future of the 30-minute slot has been the subject of intense speculation since Paul Holmes' surprise resignation and move to Prime early this month.

The old Holmes/Shortland Street double act on TV One and TV2 was vital in securing a large audience.

It is understood the network has fast-tracked its planning for a new show so any new format will be well established by the time Prime launches its Holmes-hosted show early next year.

Views on the veteran host's long-term successor at TVNZ vary, but the network's head of news, Bill Ralston, has indicated he wants the new show to be less personality-based and to feature more hard-nosed journalism.

A spokeswoman for TVNZ declined to comment on plans other than to say the state-owned broadcaster was looking at all options.

While Susan Wood and the stopgap Close Up at 7 format have maintained the time slot's high ratings, some commentators believe her style is too similar to that of Holmes to offer a significant point of difference.

The stakes of Breakfast's co-presenter Paul Henry have reportedly risen over the past month, making him a favourite for the high-profile job.

Insiders have indicated that any move to snaffle popular TV3 newsreader John Campbell has been ruled out at this stage.