John Gillespie, who is currently the Editor of Daily Programmes, will take up his new position from 24 June 2013.

TVNZ chief executive Kevin Kenrick says it’s extremely pleasing to appoint a leader with an unquestioned commitment to New Zealand and to TVNZ.

“John is well-known and respected in the industry for his editorial experience and has a thorough understanding of the multi-media environment our news team now works in.

“Because he knows our organisation so well we expect John to make a smooth leadership transition and there’ll be no loss of momentum as we further develop New Zealand’s most watched news and current affairs service.”

John has been with TVNZ for 16 years. He says: “I have a real pride in working in this business and working for TVNZ. We are the industry leader for news and current affairs – and with that comes a significant responsibility to our viewers up and down the country. Personally, I’m looking forward to being an even bigger part of setting our editorial direction. I’m committed to delivering outstanding news and current affairs that calls on the special talents of the people we have here.”

Greymouth born, Christchurch raised, John studied journalism at Australia’s Charles Sturt University (formerly Mitchell College). Before joining TVNZ, he worked for five years at Canterbury Television as a reporter and later as news editor. He was a producer for the launch of TVNZ’s Breakfast in 1997. He subsequently produced a number of high profile shows before he was appointed Editor of Current Affairs in 2007. His most recent appointment was Editor of Daily Programmes in 2012.

Los Angeles-based Judd will join Op Shop frontman Jason Kerrison in the three-person judging panel when filming for the number one New Zealand entertainment show starts in July.

“I am beyond excited to be coming to New Zealand to be a judge on New Zealand’s Got Talent!” says Cris Judd.

“To me, dance is the ultimate form of expression without speaking.

“A great dancer has to have soul, some humour and some vulnerability.

“In New Zealand I’m going to be looking for performers who can light up the stage and beyond!” he says.
Judd knows a thing or two about high wattage performances, having danced professionally for more than 20 years alongside some of the biggest names in show business.

Shoulder tapped as a young man by Michael Jackson, Judd toured the world with the King of Pop’s Dangerous and HIStory tours.
In 2009 he performed in a tribute to Jackson at the MTV Video Music Awards alongside Janet Jackson and choreographers Travis Payne, Tina Landon, Brian Friedman and Wade Robson.

The multi-faceted artist has choreographed for superstars Jennifer Lopez, Jordan Knight and Paulina Rubio, actors Nicole Kidman, Steve Martin and Queen Latifah and for the TV shows America’s Got Talent and Bucket and Skinner.

He’s also directed music videos and been a judge on several US reality shows including Your Momma Don’t Dance, and appeared on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, which he won.

Head of TV ONE and TV 2, Jeff Latch, says he is delighted Cris will be part of New Zealand’s Got Talent in 2013.

“Names in professional dance and choreography don’t get much bigger than Cris,” says Jeff Latch.

“Last year we saw some extraordinary dancers and dance crews on the show,” he says.

“And we believe there are plenty more out there.”

“We can’t wait for Cris to bring his skills to the NZGT judging panel and be part of the exciting search for New Zealand’s best and brightest new talent.”

Episode two, which screened on Monday night, attracted an average audience of 511,900 (5+), a 5% increase on the figures for episode one. In TV3’s target demographic (25-54 year olds), episode two had an average audience of 247,500, an 11% increase on episode one.

                                  5+                               18-49                                25-54
Episode 1                487,700                      257,000                           223,300
Episode 2               511,900                        252,700                           247,500

Average audience TV3* = combined audience of TV3 and TV3plus1

The results lifted TV3’s Monday night viewership – In the 7.30pm-8.45pm timeslot TV3 more than doubled its share of the 25-54 audience last night, compared with the previous four week average, and grew its 5+ share by 89%.

The X Factor NZ won its timeslot in the 18-49 demographic, and out-rated My Kitchen Rules (TV2) in 5+.

Online, The X Factor NZ facebook community has grown by 15,000 fans since the programme launched on Sunday night, and #xfactornz was the number one trending topic globally during Monday’s episode.

As at midnight Monday, there had been 45,482 Video on Demand streams of full episodes, plus 42,706 streams of shorter auditions and song clips. The most popular clips were those featuring contestants Te Ao Te Huia (who sang a duet with Stan Walker), ‘Chicken man’ Mitchell Wahl and diva Ashley Tonga, which also had big viewing numbers on YouTube.

The X Factor NZ screens Sundays at 7pm and Mondays and 7.30pm on TV3.
For more information, visit TV3.co.nz/thexfactornz or join the conversation at facebook.com/xfactornz and #xfactornz

“He took a fledgling broadcaster and developed it into a fully grown organisation now occupying its own unique space in our national television landscape, and working hard to earn the respect of a wide audience.”

Mr Mather joined Māori Television in 2005 and has overseen significant growth of New Zealand’s indigenous broadcaster including the launch of the Te Reo channel, the establishment of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network (WITBN), coverage of the Rugby World Cup and the annual ANZAC Day broadcasts.

Proud of his achievements with the organisation, Mr Mather was quick to acknowledge the Board and staff for their support. “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini is the proverb that best describes my time at Māori Television,” he said. “Success is not the work of one, but the work of many.”

“I’ve had an incredible journey at Māori Television and I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve all done in the revitalisation of te reo me ngā tikanga Māori. It has been an absolute honour working alongside so many talented and committed colleagues.”

Mr Mather said it had been a difficult decision, but his strong passion for Māori education and development meant that the new opportunity to lead Te Wānanga o Aotearoa was one he had to pursue.

“We are well down the path of Māori Television’s transition to a multi-media digital organisation and I feel like the time is right to conclude my tenure at the helm.”

“When the time comes I will be sad to leave Māori Television but proud of the reputation we have earned through the hard work and dedication of the staff and board over many years,” he said. “I am excited about the future ahead for Māori Television and looking forward to the new challenge at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.”

In accepting his resignation, Mrs te Heuheu praised his leadership skills in setting up a robust organisation that will continue to go from strength to strength.

“Jim brought a unique blend of skills to Māori Television including business and people skills. His unwavering commitment to te reo me ngā tikanga Māori, and to Māori success will serve him well in his new position. He will leave Māori Television with our very best wishes”.

Mr Mather will complete a six month notice period before taking up his new role. The recruitment process for a new CEO at Māori Television will start next month.

1,066,500 New Zealanders tuned in during last night’s 90-minute premiere of The X Factor NZ (5+ cume), with the TV3 show dominating the competitive Sunday night schedule, winning the timeslot in all key demographics.

The X Factor NZ lifted TV3’s performance across the night, (6pm-10.30pm) with TV3 winning the night in the key 18-49 and 25-54 demographics.

The episode one numbers give The X Factor NZ a bigger series launch than 2012 ratings juggernaut, The Block NZ. The X Factor also out-performed international stable mate The X Factor USA.

The first episode had an average total audience of 487,700 (5+ average) which grew throughout the episode, peaking at 546,600 in the last quarter hour. By midnight Sunday, there had been 12,900 Video on Demand streams of the episode.

In the key commercial demographics, the premiere won a 26.9% share in the 25-54 demographic, a 31.9% share in 18-49, a 37.4% share in 18-39 and was popular family viewing with a 30.5% share in the Main Household Shoppers with Children demographic.

The X Factor was also a hit on social media, with a level of engagement not seen previously by TV3. During the broadcast, four of the top five trending topics in New Zealand were about the show with #xfactornz in top place, and #xfactornz also trended worldwide reaching number four.

The X Factor NZ Facebook page has grown by 8,500 fans since the first episode started at 7pm Sunday night, and popular posts went viral; a meme about contestant Mitchell Wahl (and his chickens) was viewed by over 123,000 people within 30 minutes.

MediaWorks Head of Programming Mark Caulton says:

“We are absolutely delighted by the audience response. The X Factor NZ has been years in the planning, and it has been well worth the wait. There’s plenty more to come, with more fantastic Kiwi talent, through the rest of the auditions, Bootcamp, Judges’ Retreats and 10 weeks of LIVE performance shows.”

Episode two of The X Factor NZ screens tonight (Monday 22 April) at 7.30pm on TV3. For more information, visit TV3.co.nz/thexfactornz or join the conversation at facebook.com/xfactornz and #xfactornz.

Funded by Te Mangai Paho, the second series of The GC will again follow the lives of a group of talented young Maori, working hard and playing even harder on the Gold Coast.

Season two will rejoin the lives of series one favourites, and introduce some great new personalities. Production is expected to begin later in the year.

The GC was a high rating show for TV3, with two million New Zealanders turning in throughout the series (5+ Cume) and each episode watched by an average audience of 333,400 (all 5+). In TV3′s target demographic of 25-54 year olds the programme averaged 191,400 viewers across the series.

The GC also attracted a strong online audience, setting a new ondemand record for a TV3 programme launch with 147,072 views of the first episode. The title track, Vibrations, performed and co-written by one of the show’s star’s Jade Louise, and featuring RIAA certified platinum rapper Savage, went to #1 on iTunes NZ.

The GC attracted a strong Maori viewership, with an average of 92,600 tuning each week (Maori 5+ demographic), and was TV3’s #1 show among Maori viewers for the duration of the series.

The Block NZ will see four New Zealand couples compete to renovate four dilapidated houses in an upmarket suburb – room by room, week by week, challenge by challenge – and sell them at auction for the highest price. All four couples will receive profits from the sale of their house at the live TV auction, and the winners will take home an additional cash prize of $80,000.

Last year’s first ever The Block NZ saw siblings Libby and Ben Crawford win the action-packed contest and an amazing $237,000. Their advice for those wanting to give the next series a go is be ready for the challenge and make the most of the experience.

”Be ready to ride extreme highs and gruelling lows” says last year’s winner Libby Crawford. “It will be one of the hardest, yet most rewarding things you’ll ever do. Go into it with a tonne of ideas, and a flexible plan. Get stuck in, laugh lots and don’t sweat the small stuff”.

Brother Ben highly recommends anyone wanting to give it a go. “Being involved with The Block NZ was incredible because of its scale and appeal to what seemed like almost all of New Zealand. Yes there is the public recognition which blew us away but it will open so many doors for you. Plus you can win a bucket load of money!”

The casting call is now open, and couples, siblings or friends are all invited to sign up online at www.tv3.co.nz/theblock. The ‘couple’ need to have had a close relationship for at least three years.

MediaWorks Director of Programming Mark Caulton says this year’s series of The Block NZ will be bigger and better.

“We were thrilled with last year’s success. New Zealanders really engaged with the couples and took them into their hearts. This year prepare for the unexpected! There will be even more twists and we look forward to what the new contestants will bring to the table.”

The producers are looking for energetic contestants from around New Zealand. The teams can be couples, family members, or friends, but all contestants must be over 18 years old. Specialists in residential building and project management, painters and professional interior designers are excluded.

Once selected, the contestants will literally live and breathe their DIY project for the nine week shoot, living on site in The Block NZ houses. Once the four finalist couples have been selected, there are no further eliminations. The winning couple is simply decided by the toughest judge of all, the real estate market. All four renovated houses will go to a live TV auction, with The Block NZ crown going to the couple whose renovated house fetches the highest price on the night!.

The Block is one of the biggest reality formats in the world, with a compelling blend of real estate dreams and high-stakes drama that has made it a global phenomenon. Last year 1,099,400 New Zealanders tuned in during the two-hour finale which was broadcast LIVE on TV3. (5+ cume reach).

The Block NZ has become award winning, picking up ‘Best Reality Contest’ in TV Guide’s Best on the Box Awards this week and saw Julie Christie claim Best Director for the show last year at the Aotearoa Film and Television Awards.

The New Zealand series is produced by Eyeworks Television for TV3.

HOW TO ENTER

• Simply fill out the online form at www.tv3.co.nz/theblock and tell us if you’ve got what it takes to be part of The Block NZ.

• Provide all the information you can and please remember to attach digital photographs of yourselves. Videos are welcomed too but are not compulsory, and cannot be returned.

• You will be living in The Block NZ houses for the nine weeks and you will not be able to attend your usual place of work during this time. But a weekly allowance will be provided for you to take care of obligations ‘back home

• Applications close on 6 May, 2013.

One of the country’s most respected journalists, Clark is charged with keeping two teams led by hosts Duncan Garner and Guyon Espiner in line as they go head-to-head each month in the innovative new TV3 programme. As referee, Clark has the power to interject, and a mandate to keep things moving – and keep the potentially unruly teams in line.

Linda Clark says she is looking forward to working with co-hosts Garner and Espiner and producer Tim Watkin on a programme that is different to anything else on New Zealand television.

“Duncan Garner and I worked together for many years in the Press Gallery and I have always admired Guyon’s work. So when I was asked to join the two of them it was too tempting to resist,” she says.

“The programme offers something very different – a whole hour devoted to debating one issue. Plus, of course there is the added dimension of the live audience. I think it will be lively and informed.

“New Zealand faces some very crunchy issues and this programme is going to give viewers a chance to debate them – intelligently but entertainingly. I’m looking forward to it.”

Presented by 3rd Degree, The Vote is competitive current affairs, designed to inform and entertain. Each team – one affirmative, one negative – is given the opportunity to make its case and be cross-examined by the other in a distilled debate, all

recorded ‘as live’ in theatres in front of an audience.

At the end of the debate, the audience will vote on the issue, and throughout New Zealand viewers at home will be invited to have their say via text, Facebook, Twitter and online, giving a snapshot of the nation’s opinion. A winner (and a loser) will be declared.

Director of News and Current Affairs, Mark Jennings says The Vote is a chance to hear what the country thinks.

“I believe there is a large chunk of the population that currently doesn’t feel it has a voice,” he says.

“Yes, people can organize referenda but they are extremely time consuming and difficult. The Vote shortcuts that process and has the potential to deliver an instant message to politicians and other decision makers.”

The Vote is part of new current affairs programme 3rd Degree (premiering 6 March), and will screen once every four weeks in 3rd Degree’s 8.30pm Wednesday timeslot. It is funded by NZ On Air

3rd Degree presents THE VOTE – 8.30pm, Wednesday 27 March on TV3

“News Corporation announced that its News Limited subsidiary will divest its 44% stake in SKY Network Television Limited, New Zealand’s pre-eminent pay television broadcasting service.

News Limited has appointed Deutsche Bank to underwrite and, together with Craigs Investment Partners, to manage, the sales of its SKY shares. It is expected that the shares will be sold to a broad range of institutional and retail investors. Following the sales, News Limited will no longer have any holding in SKY Network Television Limited.
Chase Carey, President and Chief Operating Officer, News Corporation said: “SKY is a world class subscription television business and has been an outstanding investment for News Corporation. We and SKY have always enjoyed an excellent, arms-length working relationship and we expect this to continue unaffected by the sale. In particular, we do not anticipate any change to current arrangements regarding access to content and collaboration on technology.”
As a result of the sale, Michael Miller, Regional Director of News Limited, will resign from the board of SKY.”

News Limited and its directors are not in possession of any material information that has not been disclosed to the market.

News Limited has requested that Sky Network Television Limited seek a trading halt for up to two days to enable the transaction to occur, which Sky has obtained. Trading is expected to recommence no later than Wednesday 6 March.

Announcing the company’s Interim Result today, Chief Executive Kevin Kenrick said the first six months of the year had featured some exceptionally positive programming and consumer developments within a continuing challenging economic environment.

“The net result is that we are where we expected to be at this time.”

TVNZ has recorded operating earnings for the half year of $21.6 million – $7.1 million below the prior year. The primary driver of the year on year change in operating earnings has been increased investment in both local and international programming content.

Unaudited Net Profit after Tax was $14.2 million – $5.0 million below the prior year.

Operating revenues, excluding Government funding, were $0.6 million ahead of the same period last year with television advertising revenues down by $2.7 million (1.6%) and other operating revenue up by $3.4 million (19.8%).

The total New Zealand television advertising market contracted for the six months ended December 2012 with the absence of advertising revenue generated from the Rugby World Cup in the prior year having a significant impact. TVNZ grew its market share of television advertising revenue from 60.8% to 62.3% year on year.

Other operating revenue growth has primarily been driven by the strong performance of TVNZ Ondemand which achieved a substantial increase in advertising revenue off the back of growth in online stream views of 30% and average monthly unique viewer growth of 23% in the half year.

TVNZ continues to grow online revenue ahead of the market in New Zealand, cornering 58% of the total online video market.

“Online is currently a small part of our revenue, but it’s a big part of our future”, Mr Kenrick says.

Government funding reduced by $6.5 million reflecting the closure of TVNZ 7 at 30 June 2012, with a consequent drop in programme amortisation costs for TVNZ 7 of $5.4 million.

Investment in content for the remaining channels has increased by $10.5 million year on year.

Mr Kenrick says a significant contributor to this was the undisputed programming hit of the first six months of the financial year, New Zealand’s Got Talent, which exceeded all ratings expectations and became the most popular local entertainment series in the last ten years.

Whilst investment in programming has increased, non-programme costs have been reduced by $3.8 million (5.2%) year on year.

Other highlights for the six month period include:

•  A comprehensive review of the media market and potential business opportunities culminating in the development of a refreshed TVNZ strategy for future growth.
• The December launch of Igloo – a prepaid pay TV service owned 51% by Sky and 49% by TVNZ offering a combination of free-to-air channels, 11 premium pay TV channels, and access to pay-per-view movies and selected sports events.
• An Ondemand app for Samsung Smart TVs, which was launched in early December and has exceeded all projections of viewer usage within the first month of launch.
• The introduction of new controls to moderate the sound levels of television advertisements.

Mr Kenrick says while TVNZ expects the current economic environment to result in continuing competition for advertising revenue, and the ongoing need to tightly control expenditure, there are exciting future market opportunities with the rapid growth in online video consumption and ongoing high levels of time spent watching television.

Financial Highlights Summary – Six months ended