TV presenters lose 'star' claim for negotiations

Television presenters will not be able to claim a large "star" factor in salary negotiations following the ratings plunge of Paul Holmes, say TVNZ bosses.

Board chairman Ian Fraser said presenters were still important for branding of the station and its programmes, but the day of presenters being able to hold the network to ransom on contract day had passed.

"The experience of what happened to Holmes should be instructive for all of us, whether on the employing side or people selling their talents."

TVNZ head of news and current affairs, Bill Ralston, said the audience had not followed Holmes when he shifted from TV One to Prime, which indicated people were more interested in content than any one personality.

The comments come just as TVNZ embarks on its biggest round of annual contract negotiations.