TO ALL TV EDITORS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INFOMERCIALS TO CEASE ON TV ONE

TVNZ today announced that it has introduced a new policy whereby once existing contracts expire, no infomercials will screen on TV ONE.

Shaun Brown, Head of TV ONE, said that this decision had not been reached lightly.

“TV ONE is committed to providing a quality service to its viewers. Selling whole programme slots to advertisers, whether it be for exercise machines or evangelism, is not consistent with that objective. And it is certainly inconsistent with the spirit of the Charter, which we expect to take effect shortly.

" The channel has been steadily reducing the level of infomercial activity over the past year creating more time for programmes that entertain and inform viewers rather than treat them solely as consumers. By the end of June this year all but one of the existing contracts will have expired opening up more time for programmes."

ENDS