Newshub restructure may result in 6pm news bulletin getting 'softer', head of journalism school says

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Newshub presenters Samantha Hayes and Mike McRoberts.

A restructure of MediaWorks' news division may result in the media organisation taking a 'softer approach' to news in an attempt to grow its audience, the head of the New Zealand Broadcasting School says.

MediaWorks, which owns television channel Three, has confirmed it is planning changes to its business.

The company emailed staff in its Newshub division about a restructure and is calling staff into individual meetings, according to a source.

It is understood the process is expected to take weeks, raising speculation of redundancies.

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To attract a bigger audience Newshub may chose to move away from hard news, similar to how it did by eventually replacing Campbell Live with The Project, Tony Simons head of the New Zealand Broadcasting School says.

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Tony Simons, head of the New Zealand Broadcasting School at Ara, said while viewership numbers for the 6pm news bulletins were still holding up, New Zealanders, especially from younger generations were increasingly turning off the 6pm news and consuming news from other channels.

'There are definitely concerns that audiences are moving to other platforms,' Simons said.

The priority for Newshub would be to attract a bigger audience. To do this it may chose to move away from hard news, similar to how it did by eventually replacing Campbell Live with The Project, he said.

'I would worry that they would get softer and there would be a lighter touch.'

A number of students at the broadcasting school would view the 6pm news as the pinnacle of journalism however, an increasing number were looking for careers elsewhere, he said.

Newshub Live first aired in February, 2016.

'They appreciate audiences are not just confined to television any longer.'

Students might think twice about a future as a 6pm news reporter in light of the prospect of a Newshub restructure, he said.

'Students would look at any restructure as a potential cause for concern in terms of their job prospects.'

However, restructures tended to affect more senior staff, which could result in a less experienced newsroom at Newshub, he said.

This could result in more job opportunities for junior reporters, he said.

MediaWorks said in statement that 'like every media business globally, we are constantly looking to future-proof and enhance our operations and performance'.

'It is no secret that local media is challenged and with performance as our key driver we are looking to make some changes across our business. Our people are our priority at this time and as such we won't be making any further comment.'

MediaWorks created its Newshub integrated newsroom in 2015 with funding from its US private equity owner Oaktree.

MediaWorks is due to report its annual result next week, after moving closer to break-even last year.

The media industry has been under pressure as revenues from traditional advertising sources fall.

TVNZ did not rule out purchasing Stuff in February, after it was put up for sale by its Australian owner Nine.

Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi said last month that he had reassured private media firms that the Government cared about maintaining plurality in the 'delicate' media market.