News shows get a fair go

TVNZ news boss Bill Ralston is hoping Fair Go's ratings success will rub off on One News by appointing the popular programme's boss to oversee all daily news shows.

John Gillespie, Fair Go's executive producer for five years, is taking on the third most powerful job in the department, as managing editor of daily news under deputy head of news Stephen Rowe and Mr Ralston.

In a memo to staff, Mr Ralston hinted that he hoped Mr Gillespie could arrest the seepage of viewers to TV3 that has worried TVNZ enough to prompt a review of its news department.

Fair Go is consistently the top-rating show, enjoying viewer numbers in excess of 750,000.

Another appointment announced yesterday was of Paul Yurisich as bulletin editor of One News. Mr Yurisich is currently a line-up producer for One News.

From October 3, Mr Gillespie will oversee all the daily news shows: ASB Business, Breakfast, Midday, Te Karere, Headliners, One News and Tonight.

Mr Ralston has set himself two months to make "serious changes" to news and current affairs shows.