Split proves TVNZ structure wouldn’t work

The Government has finally agreed with National that the TVNZ structure, as proposed in the Television New Zealand Bill, was never going to work, says National’s Broadcasting spokesperson, Katherine Rich.

“The decision to split the operations is the right move because nobody actually understood the proposed three-board structure – the Ross Armstrong special – which would have proved complicated, cumbersome and costly.

“But what doesn’t make sense is the Government’s claims that this decision won’t make any difference to TVNZ.

“It is ridiculous for the Minister to suggest that splitting BCL from TVNZ will not result in a loss of revenue for TVNZ. Everyone knows that BCL’s profits have consistently cross-subsidised TVNZ’s business.

“The downside of this announcement is that the loss of revenue for TVNZ will mean it can fund less local content, but ultimately force a marriage between Maori Television and BCL,” says Mrs Rich.

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