No change in 6.30 news slot planned

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33813, 9 April 1975, Page 4

No change in 6.30 news slot planned

Television One has no plans to change the time of its 6.30 p.m. network and loca news bulletin in spite of some viewer reaction against the earlier time.

i Criticism of the change [was fading, said TVl’s editor I in Christchurch (Mr John Knowles). He had been telling people that both the B B.C. and I.T V. had early news bulletin and only one of . four Sydney channels had a ;7 p.m. bulletin. “It has to be remembered ; that TV2 will offer a 7.30 p.m.! bulletin, and it is part of the; idea of complementary tele-; [vision that later bulletins should be available to view:ers,” Mr Knowles said. He pointed out that viewers were at present seeing i only half of the television change through restructuring, j “I know that for some! people with young families; the earlier time is proving inconvenient, but there are other viewers who are saying it is most welcome,” he added. Television Two has not yet announced its news times, but the channel is reported to ( have chosen 10 p.m. as well; as its earlier 7.30 p.m. news' time slot. The shape of the later; bulletin has not yet been ; announced, but it would pre-|i sumably have to be different; from TVl’s “Tonight” show.;, Mr Knowles said TVl’s/ operation in Christchurch I : was settling down well. One!’

’[problem had been to arrar.g, r I split-second timing for <-■ I local news to end in time fr 1 the network transmission o ■ the weather. ? “We had to let one « . film go unshown the the r day because of the need t switch to network," he added 1 Mr Knowles said that. - trary to some reports, the.-* I had been excellent to operation from TV2 camera [ men and technical staff /“There is no war going on between the two channels, ; he said. Television One planned eventually to use private cameramen and negotiate- r« were proceeding. It would continue to use TV2 studio facilities under a special . agreement. ! The channel’s news staff <s .almost up to strength, and will be added to on Ma> 5 when John McDermott, formerly of Dunedin and at present with Radio New Zealand, joins TVI. Among the chanel’s plant lis a proposed survey of [industries in Canterbury. “We will not so much be Hooking at the ways in which 1 various products are made, ■but will be talking to some of the people involved about ! their jobs and what they think of them.’’ said Mr Knowles. ! This material would be ! shown in the Sunday magazine programme, “Sundays i World.”