First broadcast of ‘Nationwide'

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33451, 5 February 1974, Page 4

First broadcast of ‘Nationwide'

The new N.Z.B.C. current affairs proffiamnie, “Nationwide." to begin on .Ylonday. March I. will be screened three times <* week — on Mondays. Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The director-general (Mr L R. Sceats) says the staff of the new programme which will replace “Gallen ." will bring a mixture of current affairs background and experience, and flair for broadcasting, particularly in television. The producer will be Rod • Vaughan. previously on ’“Survey.’' and a producer of other documentary programmes. Previously, he was; an N.Z.B.C. news journalist. He will be assisted as director bv Bill Earle well known on “Newsview” in recent There will be four reporters on “Nationwide"—David Beatson. Keith Aberdeen, lan Fraser, and Guy Salmon. The first three have all worked on N.Z.B.C. current affairs programme on both radio and television, and Mr Salmon has made appearances on both broadcasting media as a contributor. Mr Sceats said that although Mr Beatson would

leave the 2ZB talk-back pin gramme. "Lay It On The Line." the programme would be continued. There are also t\v< changes in the staff of In quirv." Peter Morntt will stay"as producer, but will be assisted bv John Veyscv as director —a post he filled to: “Gallerv" last year Joe Cote and Alan Brad} will rental on screen, but Geoff Walke: has left the N.Z.B.i. to be come a professional garden er. Two new faces will be those of George Andrew s and Derek Fox. Mr Andrews is at present on the radio current affairs programme. "Checkpoint but has been an N.Z B.c news reporter, and was “Gallery's" first reporter He was in Britain for three (years, and worked fot 8.8. C. -TV before returning to the N.Z.B.C. early la-t vear. Mr Fox has been with the corporation for seven years, most of that time in hews departments. LONGER PROGRAMME Mr Sceats said a "Nation wide" programme would la-t 60min. compared with the 50min of “Gallerv." “Inquiry” will continue on Wednesdays and "World Scene" on Fridays, so that There would be a current affairs or news-in-depth programme five nights a week said Mr Sceats. "Nationwide" will begin on March 4, followed by the first "Inquiry" of the vear on Wednesday, March 6. The "World Scene” will resume on Friday, February 8. Mr Sceats said "Nation wide” would mount special programmes earlier than March 4, if warranted by an important news story and during the year whenever merited by circumstances on days other than Mondavs, Tuesdavs. and Thursdays