TVNZ plans to achieve NZD$25 million (US$13.2 million) in cost reductions and savings from the programme budget, departmental operating budgets and from about 90 proposed redundancies. TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis says reduced payroll costs will represent approximately 25% of the savings. Cuts to programme budgets equate to about 100 hours or approximately 3% of local content hours. Proposed redundancies come from across the business including News and Current Affairs, but excluding TVNZ's … [Read more...] about TVNZ axes 90 jobs – aims to cut costs by US$13 million
Buyers' Forum
Granada International Australia and TVNZ renew output deal
Granada International Australia and TVNZ renew output deal Cannes – New Zealand’s public broadcaster TVNZ and Granada International Australia, part of ITV Global Entertainment, the company which combines the recently merged Granada International and Granada Ventures businesses, have renewed the output deal between the two companies. The multi-genre, multi-year agreement will see the UK’s longest running soap Coronation Street remain on TVNZ’s flagship channel TV ONE. … [Read more...] about Granada International Australia and TVNZ renew output deal
BBC Worldwide renews first-option deal with ABC
Cannes/Sydney - BBC Worldwide Australia and ABC TV have renewed their first-option agreement in advance of this year’s MIPCOM television market in Cannes. The deal, which covers Drama, Light Entertainment, Natural History, Music & Arts and Religion titles, allows ABC TV a first-look at content across these genres within the BBC Worldwide catalogue. The agreement has been renewed for a further two years. “Strong British content continues to be a major attraction for Australian … [Read more...] about BBC Worldwide renews first-option deal with ABC
AMAZIA set for axe
Speculation is mounting that REED MIDEM's cross-platform content show AMAZIA is to be cancelled. Scheduled for 17-20 November 2008, at the HKCEC in Hong Kong, many exhibitors were confused at AMAZIA's timing so soon after MIPCOM, just before the CASBAA Conference, and in apparent competition with Reed Exhibitions' Singapore-based Asia TV Forum, happening 9-12 December 2008. AMAZIA was touted as the first business-to-business exhibition and international conference dedicated to the creation and … [Read more...] about AMAZIA set for axe
On the buying trail
May Lee, Founder & CEO, Lotus Media House Television viewing trends are definitely moving towards niche programming. Given the growing number of channels in the Asian region, viewers now have more choices, and that provides all the more reason for new channels to try and focus on specific genres and/or demographics. Lotus Channel is absolutely targeting the female demographic in Asia, a group that has been under served for too long. We believe women need a ‘go to’ channel where they … [Read more...] about On the buying trail
First Asia Factual Forum makes its mark
Singapore – The inaugural 2-day Asia Factual Forum (AFF) wrapped on Nov. 27 after attracting some 120 delegates from 15 countries for conferences on topics ranging from viability of formats to co-production opportunities. An event of the Asia Media Festival 2007, AFF was co-produced by Canada’s Ballinran Productions and Singapore’s Association of Independent Producers (AIPRO), with the support of the Media Development Authority (MDA). AFF also served as a platform for a call … [Read more...] about First Asia Factual Forum makes its mark