Awards come and go

The Qantas film and television awards are over for another year so let the bragging begin.

State broadcaster TVNZ was the big winner, surprising many who thought their TV3 counterparts were doing a good job.

But the judges saw it differently, and isn't TVNZ making hay while the sun shines.

Yet to many viewers, what does it matter? For them, Qantas is that Aussie airline and the awards seem to be a social gathering of journos and "celebrities" who are out for a night on the town where they get to pat each other on the back.

But those in the industry itself say these awards are important, if for nothing else than to gain some "oneupmanship" over the rival network for a year.

Best news winner One News was quick to sort out its advertising promotion for its news with the new title engraved all over our screens.

It was a good night for TVNZ as it cleaned up almost every major news and journalism award, whereas TV3 barely gave mention in its main news broadcast to its poor night out.

But will those wins at TVNZ convince more viewers to watch its news and current affairs programmes?

If you're anything like me, you have probably watched One News and 3 News and figured out which one you like best and then tend to stick to that channel for your news fix.

Something new on our screens that caught my eye recently has been NZ Smashes Guinness World Records.

And wouldn't you know it, Marc Ellis is host! Yes, he is funny, but enough is enough.

Can we not find any other presenters in this country?

Between him and Jason Gunn, they have most shows covered.

The programme, nevertheless, is entertaining and great for a Sunday night wind-down in front of the tube.

It is not exactly highbrow entertainment - this week, a woman tries to squeeze through a tennis racquet and the Whakatane Top Town team smashes a piano with sledgehammers - but worth a look for a laugh if nothing more.

Finally, a bouquet to Sky and Freeview for joining forced and introducing Prime on the free-to-air service.

The introduction of Prime to Freeview was made with little fanfare or warning but I bet sales of Freeview receivers will jump over coming weeks.

Don't miss: Michael Palin: Around the World in 20 Years, Prime, Saturday at 7.30pm: Two decades after his classic series Around the World in 80 Days, Michael Palin is back, revisiting some of the famous spots he visited in that remarkable series.

It should be a fascinating watch.

Don't bother: Shortland Street, TV2, week nights at 7pm: Miss a few episodes of this show and you are all lost.

I've decided not to bother reacquainting myself.

But Coro St, on the other hand . . .

 

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