N.Z. content to rise after TV reshuffle

Press, 11 October 1979, Page 6

N.Z. content to rise after TV reshuffle

PA Auckland . Viewers will get almost 1400 more hours of local 'shows on New Zealand television next year after the reorganisation of TVI and TV2 into Television New 'Zealand. Mr lan Cross, chairman of the Broadcasting Council, said in Auckland yesterday when announcing plans for new programmes in 1980 that 'significant gains in producItion would stem from the rationalisation of the two inetworks’ resources and facilties. “We can now say that we are not financially limited by the effect of having no licence fee increase for five years.” Mr Cross said. He said .that local programming next year would be an estimated 2926 hours, compared with 2550 this year. The latter figure, which was actually an increase on previous years, had been achieved in spite of the financial cuts. It was even possible, Mr Cross said, that programmes made, by private production houses might increase the figure even more. He spoke later of “a substantial budget” in 1980 for the independents. A total New. Zealand content! of 40 per cent might be achieved across both channels. he said. “The B.C.N.Z. board has provided the fin-j ance to make this possible.” Production at Avalon, the! main production centre, would rise 50 per cent. Mr I Cross described the new regional programmes which will screen at 7.30 p.m. each day on TVI, as “laying the' foundation for television throughout the 1980 s.” “They are essentia! for the development of television in

d New Zealand, but thev will t impose new disciplines and 1 make new demands on .. staff.” he said More entere:tainment programme.-., bui /possibly less locally pro-, v duced drama, will be empha- ; ;sised next year. A new In .“Concert” series will contain , [material ranging from a /New Zealand Opera Com-! ,■ pany production of “La Botjheme'' to a co-production of . a "Danny La Rue Down /Under" series. > The latter series will be ..written, acted, and danced /by New Zealanders, and will r[ star Danny La Rue and Ron- . inie Corbett. >' Each 50-minute pros'gramme in the series of 39 - will also include items based I on the Hong Kong Arts Fes-; , itival. including the New s[ Zealand Symphony Orches- , tra. John Rowles in New ■.Zealand emphasising Maori J culture, a show devoted to 'the best New Zealand. , American, and Australian ■ [brass bands, and a iazzl 'series starring the Neo-1 ; ! phonic Orchestra, Roger [ ' Fox, and overseas enter-j tainers. i Other entertainment pro-i grammes include a variety series, again of 50-minute [programmes which will start i in March or April next year. It is intended for prime-time I viewing and will feature a ! host personality accom[panied by overseas guest [stars and supporting acts. A new “Image" series will 1 also start in March. The first show will be 'based on a 1930 s radio show. ' such as the “8.8. C. Old Time Music Hall.” Country i and Western music will re- i (turn in the second show, ’

I'and the third, entitled Itchy I Feet." will use "middle-of. i the-road” material. The Auckland cooks. Hudson and Halls, will return • with their cooking, music, and chat show next year in i a series of 26 programmes. A similar show, but of on y 13 programmes, will be made at Wellington. Some of the present shows will return, including ■Reads to Roll,” "Radio with Pictures,” and “Stars on Sunday.” I Viewers will not lack tor, quiz shows. Forty-eight halfhour programmes will inelude “Mastermind," "University Challenge,” and two new series called "Master of Arts" and “Academic." More quiz shows., such as "Super Sale” and “Stumpers." are likelv to be made in all four production centres. It is also proposed to make seven “one-ot:" comedy shows late next year. However, the drama list is relatively short. . “Mortimer’s Patch,” a r v ! police series produced by i TV2, will continue, as will (“Close to Home.” New series include “Sea Urchins." a children’s adventure scries set around the Maharangi Peninsula, : “Jocko.” a series derived from a TV! drama called “High Country.” which has not been shown yet, and a series based on the work of the Ombudsman. Other areas will contain a sprinkling of new programmes. Fears that new administration will lead to a glut of old films on TV denied. — Page 10.