TVNZ to double Dunedin output over two years

Press, 22 December 1986, Page 11

TVNZ to double Dunedin

output over two years

Most popular local television programmes have escaped the cost-cutting axe of Television New Zealand management.

After an internal review of its operations, TVNZ has confirmed that “Newsline” and a new series of “Moonjumper” will be cancelled, with estimated savings of more than $1.5 million. Reductions have also been achieved by cancelling the production of shows still in the development stage, and by a planned decrease in transmission hours. Television One will begin transmission at 11 a.m. from February 9, rather than 9 a.m.

The organisation’s production and programmes director, Mr Des Monaghan, said that the new current affairs documentary series, “Flying Squad,” will go ahead, and “Video Dispatch” and

an interview series would continue. Overall, current affairs has an expanded budget.

The Dunedin-based Natural History unit will begin production of a new six-part series “In Danger,” looking at New Zealand’s endangered species, as well as continuing work on more than a dozen other wildlife and adventure documentaries.

The director-general, Mr Julian Mounter, said TVNZ aimed to double Dunedin’s output over the next two years, and would modernise film facilities, together with adding electronic field production capability. . “Antiques for Love or Money,” the new series of “Krypton Factor,” “University Challenge,” “Playschool” and the region news programme will be produced from Dunedin.

Mr Mounter said the changes in Dunedin would inevitably mean that some jobs would be lost, but the level and type of activity would not be changed substantially until next June.

TVNZ will produce five drama series in 1987, including 50 episodes of a replacement for “Open House,” entitled “Peppermint Twist” — a 60s country town serial. Also produced will be a four-part series based on Mr Peter Mahon’s book on the Erebus disaster, an Auckland-based series “Gloss,” a soap opera around a fashion magazine, and a children’s drama series. “Fast Forward” will be replaced by 24 episodes of “Beyond 2000,” and a new series, “Destinations,” will look at travel in the Pacific. “Country Calendar” will increase in duration to 24 minutes.

Children’s programmes, including “Playschool,” “Viewfinder,” “After School” and “Spot On” will all continue, with the latter being moved to Christchurch. “Playschool” production will move to Dunedin. “Jazz Scene” will not reappear in 1987, nor will “W3.”

Mr Mounter said TVNZ would maintain initiatives in increasing production of Maori and Pacific programmes, and one hundred 10-minute episodes of a new Maori Language programme, “Kohanga Reo,” will be produced.

A series of 46 hour-long archival programmes, “Whaka Huia” will also be added to the Sunday morning schedule.

“Newsline” will be replaced with a 10-minute midday news bulletin. Mr Mounter said a big cost-saving exercise had started several months ago, but the financial constraints caused by disappointment over the licence fee had accelerated the process.

“In the circumstances the results are satisfying both in terms of the economies achieved and the programmes to be produced,” he said.