the end of TVNZ7, one year on

Some of the text from an e-mail received  today from the campaign is reproduced below.  TVNZ kept the channel frequency, but only use it to repeat what is on TV1 an hour later, as does TV3.

It's quite likely that in years to come TV channels will be replaced with Internet-based viewing of programs on demand.  YouTube claim this is already happening, but the quality certainly isn't there yet, compared with the TV HD channels.

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Monday July the 1^st is the anniversary of the closure of TVNZ 7. No doubt you survived this calamity and have ‘moved on’.

But after a year it’s worth looking at what’s happened since – and revealing some of the secrets TVNZ tried to hide at the time.

So what’s been happening?

· Media7 went to TV3 and continued its excellent analysis of NZ’s pitiful media (making that programme must be like shooting fish in a barrel). Sadly this week’s Media3 will be the last for a while as it waits for further funding from NZ on Air. There is much to be said for the days when Media7 funding wasn't prey to the funding priorities (aka whims) of NZ on Air.

· After a long hiatus, Back Benches moved to Prime TV at 10.30pm on Wednesday nights with funding from NZ on Air. It seems the new channel and late timeslot means the programme hasn’t reignited the level of interest it enjoyed as TVNZ 7’s most popular programme. Back Benches’ funding runs out in a couple of months and they will be in the same position as Media3 reapplying for funding.

· TVNZ continues to plum the depths. Sunday was shortened and 7 Sharp replaced Close Up. There was much promotion of their flagship current affairs bulletin, unlike anything ever seen for TVNZ 7, and the promotional video ‘Imagine a world without 7’ was deeply ironic and stunningly shallow at the same time. 7 Sharp has failed to impress with its mix of news and entertainment.

· Privately owned TV3, on the other hand, has added more informational shows to their impressive weekend morning schedule. Despite having more of a reliance on commercial imperatives, TV3 recognises the sizeable audience for intelligent and informative television. Rumours are flying around Auckland that TV3’s new Board and ownership structure could bring more reality TV and less comedy and current affairs.

· Triangle TV found itself without a place on Freeview after Kordia gifted the one and only Auckland frequency for non-commercial use to World TV, who broadcast to Chinese audiences with a mix of local programming and propaganda from China. Triangle had no option to broadcast after the digital switchover so it took up an offer to move to SKY and has rebranded as Face TV. The problem Face TV now ‘faces’ is funding its operations and especially its roster of low-budget current affairs and interview shows. SKY is covering Face TV's broadcast costs but won’t say how much they are, and NZ on Air will not fund programmes on SKY that are out of reach to half of NZ (which seems appropriate when spending tax dollars). Although we love Triangle/Stratos/FaceTV the move to SKY is another loss to public service broadcasting.

· On the positive side Maori TV goes from strength to strength with a broad mix of programmes – from well-made reality TV (I admit, I'm biased) to intelligent current affairs and even locally made documentaries.