TVNZ expands its local programme commissioning

TVNZ has today announced a major change to the way it will manage its local programming.

"It is our intention to increase the amount of locally produced television programming on TV ONE and TV2, and this will necessitate expanding our commissioning capability," says TVNZ Head of Content, Andrew Shaw.

"In the past three years local content under the direction of the Head of Commissioned Programmes, Geoff Steven, has increased significantly in volume and has helped deliver substantial improvements in ratings from a 69% share of the audience to a current 74%," says Andrew Shaw.

"Week after week the most popular shows on New Zealand television are local programmes on TV ONE and TV2," he says.

However, with more hours of local content due to come on stream, TVNZ has decided it needs to expand its comissioning capability for each of the channels, TV ONE and TV2.

"Geoff Steven has accepted a new role as Head of Production TV2, encompassing all of that channel's programming including drama, comedy, documentaries, information and children's. He has agreed to take over this new role to drive an increase in local content on New Zealand's most popular channel with the younger and family viewers," says Andrew Shaw.

"TV2 is delighted to have Geoff on board in this new capacity because it assures us that we have the best in the business to help us realise our plans for building up our range of local programming," says the General Manager of TV2, Stephen Smith.

A recruitment process has begun to identify a new commissioning editor for TV ONE.

"TVNZ views this as a strengthening of its capability in delivering the best local content on New Zealand television. Our viewers are telling us that they wish to see more of themselves on air, and we intend, through this move, to deliver it," says Andrew Shaw.

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For any further information contact: Andrew Shaw, Head of Content 916 7926, OR Stephen Smith, GM TV2 916 7527