TVNZ could be rearranged to provide separate commercial
and public service broadcasting roles under a new proposal
being investigated.
Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman has asked TVNZ
chairman Sir John Anderson to look at splitting its
broadcasting roles and funding requirements, The Dominion
Post reported.
Dr Coleman said yesterday decisions would be made later in
the year on the future direction of public broadcasting, but
he wanted to see TVNZ 7, and possibly TVNZ 6, turned into
specialist public service-style channels.
Such a transformation would give viewers a clear choice of
either tuning into the "nakedly commercial stuff", or
broadcasting aimed at providing quality content, he said.
The Culture and Heritage Ministry and Treasury's Crown
Ownership Monitoring Unit have been asked to consult with
TVNZ over the proposal.
Dr Coleman said while no more money would be made available
to fund state broadcasting, it was hoped profits could be
lifted and, ideally, money could be channelled to the public
service broadcasting arm.
He also said it could be worth exploring the use of shared
news gathering resources between Radio New Zealand, TVNZ 7's
news programme and possibly Maori TV.
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