‘It’s been a privilege’: TVNZ airs final Midday broadcast

Friday, 3 May 2024

TVNZ has aired its final Midday broadcast, just over two months since the state-owned broadcaster announced it would axe popular current affairs shows.

Fronted on Friday afternoon by Indira Stewart, is the first show since TVNZ announced its restructure plans to close.

Other shows affected include Tonight, Fair Go and Sunday, which 1News says will wrap up in the next few weeks.

“From all the reporters, presenters, camera operators, editors, graphic designers, deskies, soundies, directors, auto-cue operators and producers who have helped make Midday news over the years, it’s been a privilege to present Midday to you all,” Stewart said.

“We want to thank you for watching. Take care, mou me'a a.”

She walked off the TVNZ set with a suitcase to the sound of Simple Minds’ Don’t You Forget About Me, while crew could be seen mopping the floors as she left .

Midday host Indira Stewart gave the show its final sign off.

In a statement released in early March, TVNZ Chief Executive Jodi O’Donnell said some of the broadcaster’s shows would be cut.

“The proposals we have presented in no way relate to the immense contribution of the teams that work on these shows and the significant journalistic value they’ve provided over many years,” O’Donnell said.

“Unfortunately, we need to reduce our costs to ensure the business remains sustainable. These aren’t decisions we make lightly, and significant analysis has gone into the proposals.”

Much of Midday’s content is produced by TVNZ’s Breakfast team.

“We want to thank you for watching. Take care, mou me'a a,” Stewart on said Midday's final episode.

During a Better Public Media discussion on Sunday, TVNZ chief operating officer Brent McAnulty hinted Fair Go could make a digital return.

“Profit is profit, but there might be a better candidate for that investment that will see a better return for us, so we have to keep that in mind,” he said.

He said the broadcaster is still dedicated to consumer affairs content, and that audiences will see that “content come up in other places.”

“We will need to find a way to re-purpose that type of content for digital audiences in the future.”