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State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman - Source: ONE News -
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TVNZ has confirmed digital channel TVNZ7 will be closed in June next year.
It comes after Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman said today the government will not extend funding for TVNZ7 beyond June 2012.
TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis said he was proud of the channel's achievements, but respected the government's decision.
"TVNZ has been privileged to launch and develop TVNZ 7 over the past three years, providing New Zealanders with unique perspectives on the issues of today in ways that we cannot otherwise provide through our core channels of TV ONE and TV2," Ellis said in a statement.
He said he was optimistic the channel's 20-30 employees would be redeployed to other positions at TVNZ.
The news comes as a blow to the media industry - on the same day it was announced 42 jobs will go at the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) at the end of the year.
It also came on the same day TVNZ 7 launched its TVNZ 7 Learning Hub , a website offering education resources based on popular TVNZ 7 programmes.
A Facebook group imploring supporters of TVNZ7 to protest its closure to the government was formed ahead of the announcement, along with an online petition .
TVNZ launched its first digital channel, TVNZ 6, on September 30 2007, and launched TVNZ7 six months later on Sunday March 30.
The first programme on TVNZ7 came live from parliament and
was The Kingmaker Debate - the first political debate in
that election year.
Popular programmes to follow have included Back Benches, a
weekly political review show, hosted by Wallace Chapman and Damian
Christie, and Media7, a multi-media news and commentary series
hosted by Russell Brown.
What do you think? Should the government continue to support TVNZ7? Have your say on the messageboard below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentMXT said on 2011-09-15 @ 17:43 NZDT: Report abusive post
TVNZ7 must be retained. Its choice of programs is outstanding. Its presentation is highly professional. Its presenters are always welcome in our home. Save money elsewhere if necessary (e.g. TV2) or, better still, change the government in November.
wieheisster said on 2011-08-31 @ 21:52 NZDT: Report abusive post
This is so sad to hear, TVNZ 7 is the only TV program in the entire of NZ showing good quatily, inspiring, educating and valuable contributions. I hope the government will rethink...
Soloman321 said on 2011-04-08 @ 10:58 NZDT: Report abusive post
No funding for TVNZ7 but a $47 Million loan for private equity owned Mediaworks. In effect the government has become a banker to a financially strapped private equity group. Real bankers swapped debt for equity as its owners now include Goldman Sachs, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and BNZ. The government is in effect picking a winner by leasing the airwaves to Mediaworks instead of opening it up to other bidders. If it goes bung is we a secured creditor in advance of the others mentioned above.
beerboy1940 said on 2011-04-07 @ 11:28 NZDT: Report abusive post
Public broadcasting channels, and TVNZ 7 is the closest we've got, help to keep people informed and aware of events likely to affect them. So it is not surprising that this Govt. closes it down. they would rather divert us with fluff, aka new channel U, especially in the run up to the gen election. In depth investigative docos have also been eliminated from our screens in recent times, I suggest for the same reasons, a dumbed down electorate is a compliant one. thank goodness for Maori TV
Kilmarnocky said on 2011-04-07 @ 09:49 NZDT: Report abusive post
This Govt has just hit a new low. Roll on November the 26th!