Show's over as Kim Hill joins TVNZ exodus

Kim Hill

TVNZ is cutting another top frontperson from its line-up after deciding not to renew Kim Hill's interview programme as part of a review of the shows in its news and current affairs stable.

TVNZ head of programming Annemarie Duff yesterday confirmed that Hill's interview show, Face to Face with Kim Hill, would not be back after its season ended on November 2.

The network is also cancelling its sole international affairs show, Foreign Correspondent, which alternated with Hill in the Wednesday 10pm timeslot.

The decision is due to poor ratings and comes as TVNZ reviews the performance of all its news and current affairs shows.

Yesterday, Hill - who also hosts a Saturday morning show on National Radio - said the decision was TVNZ's prerogative.

"It's always nice to be wanted, so in that sense I'm disappointed.

"Most people have a limited shelf-life in television and I've had a good run. But those are the breaks.

"Nothing goes on forever and it's only television. I would have cut my arm off to get rid of those commercial breaks, though."

Ms Duff said all underperforming timeslots on TVOne were under review.

"Kim has been fantastic for the channel. She has huge credibility and is a very well recognised interviewer so it's been wonderful to have her.

"But it's a very competitive marketplace now and we have to make some big decisions for TVOne for next year and this is one of them."

When Hill started the show in March 2003, it was held up by TVNZ as evidence that it was meeting its Charter obligations.

News and current affairs chief Bill Ralston was distancing himself from the decision yesterday and referred questions on to programming.

He has long been an advocate of serious current affairs shows such as Agenda and Kim Hill and has relied on the Charter as an ally to justify their inclusion.

Ms Duff said TVNZ was still committed to serious current affairs.

"We will have a long-form interview show but we haven't determined what it will be or who will present it. We are planning for it to be in prime time but there has been no final decision."

This year, Face to Face with Kim Hill regularly attracted more than 20 per cent of audience share, and more than 100,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic. It rated well in the pre-election build-up and had improved on its 2004 ratings.

But they were still weak compared to those of rival channels.

Total Media chief executive Martin Gillman said the show's demise would not surprise many in the advertising world as TVNZ fought TV3 for audience share.

"It's just one Charter programme too many that is not rating well. They could afford it if TVOne were doing better elsewhere."

Foreign Correspondent also rated badly - getting about one third of the audience TV3 attracted in the same timeslot.

Foreign Correspondent drew about 53,000 viewers in TVNZ's 25-54 target demographic and an audience share of 14 to 17 per cent.