As the first set of viewer ratings are released for the Shopping Channel, the company says it is more focused on how many people are buying than watching.

The Commerce Commission says it won't be scrutinising content deals between Sky TV and TVNZ for their Igloo TV joint venture which launched yesterday.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully appoints political lobbyist, and old friend, to board of Antarctic New Zealand.

All New Zealand television networks are toning down their shouting commercials in response to viewer complaints, with TVNZ adopting the new standards from Sunday.

Television New Zealand reportedly faced "internal opposition" in its newsroom over proposals to offer Paul Henry a role fronting the replacement to Close Up.

Enthusiasm for Paul Henry to liven up current affairs output conjures memories of John Hawkesby fiasco, writes John Drinnan.

Debt-for-equity deal along lines that is keeping Channel 9 on air in Oz is looking more likely for MediaWorks in NZ, writes John Drinnan.

TVNZ is considering killing its flagship current affairs show Sunday next year, having shortened it this year to make room for New Zealand's Got Talent, writes John Drinnan.

John Drinnan's media column looks at Paul Henry's chances of a TVNZ close up, and the fallout from a Kiwi newsman's 'Gotcha' tape of Alan Jones.

After 31 years with TVNZ, Mark Sainsbury is tipped to receive a golden handshake of more than $500,000 when Close Up ends on November 30.

He's not expecting a payout like John Hawkesby's $6.5m deal, but Mark Sainsbury is confident he will be looked after by TVNZ.