End of Newshub and 294 jobs, axe falls on TVNZ’s Sunday
Wednesday, 10 April 2024
Newshub is pulling the plug on its flagship 6pm news programme in July as part of a major restructure of its news operation that will slash nearly 300 jobs.
All of Newshub’s multi-platform news operations and output will end, including the Newshub website, AM, and the 6pm TV bulletin. The final Newshub show, which is anchored by Mike McRoberts and Samantha Hayes, will be on July 5.
The news left some Newshub staff in tears on Wednesday morning, while one media expert said the country was seeing the “demise of broadcast television”.
Shortly after staff were told, Newshub investigative reporter Michael Morrah fronted media. “This is devastating for myself and all my colleagues, but it’s devastating for New Zealand as a whole,” he said.
“Newshub acted to better society, and it’s a huge blow for democracy.”
Staff on Wednesday had to turn their attention back to work and he personally had a story to prepare for the 6pm bulletin. “News is news and we will carry on doing it to the best of our ability,” he said.
Colleague Amanda Gillies wiped tears behind him.
Morrah said staff were told that about a dozen parties had talked about saving at least part of Newshub. “There is no deal that is done yet or is imminent,” he said. Details of the offers or parties involved were not given.
Newshub’s owner and state-owned TVNZ had both proposed significant programme cuts and job reductions, in February and March respectively.
Also on Wednesday TVNZ confirmed it is cancelling its Sunday current affairs programme, and said its youth-oriented Re: News team would reduce from 10 staff to six.
A day earlier, TVNZ confirmed the end of Fair Go, Tonight and Midday in mid-May, with the loss of up to 68 jobs, following a period of staff consultation which TVNZ chief executive Jodi O’Donnell described as “robust”.
Union E Tū has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority against TVNZ, claiming the company did not follow consultation requirements that were guaranteed for workers in the collective agreement.
The union called on TVNZ to 'go back to the drawing board' and work with staff on the next steps.
Political reaction
Political leaders extended their regards to TVNZ and Newshub staff, some of whom were questioning them before Question Time.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the Government wasn't working fast enough to progress the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, which aimed to force social media giants to negotiate deals with news media companies.
“Democracy relies on a healthy fourth estate, it’s not just a nice to have, it’s actually vital for democracy,” Hipkins said.
“I am really concerned the media landscape is being so shrunk and so starved of resources that their vital part of the democracy is actually going to be unviable.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Broadcasting Minister Melissa Lee were both questioned about what the Government was doing. Lee had been preparing a cabinet paper for some time, but refused to say whether it had been lodged.
'But what I can say is that there is a process and it is actually in train. There is a paper and it is in train, and I won't comment on it.'
Luxon acknowledged the job losses, and said the Government had not received any specific proposals for assistance.
“What we will do is we'll continue to look for ways that the Government can support media companies to innovate and modernise.”
Dr Gavin Ellis, an honorary research fellow at Koi Tū: the Centre for Informed Futures at Auckland University, said New Zealand was witnessing the 'demise of broadcast television' with outlet and reporter numbers 'slipping below credibility'.
“From the point of view of democracy, that is dangerous,“ he said.
While other entities were looking at Newshub, he expected most of those would merely be 'mirror news' — using Newshub to mirror the news already reported on their sites.
“There's a net loss in terms of plurality,“ he said. ”That adds nothing.“
An expensive business
The 294 Newshub jobs to disappear included journalists, producers, editors, camera operators and associated staff, Newshub owner Warner Bros Discovery said. That would leave 120 roles.
Three and its digital on-demand service, ThreeNow, will continue to operate. Content would include a mix of local programming in conjunction with funding partners, drama, comedy, sport, reality and factual. Bravo, Eden, Rush and HGTV would remain as they are.
The parent company had been facing big losses. James Gibbons, Warner Bros Discovery Asia-Pacific president, said on Wednesday the business could not continue in its current form because of economic headwinds in New Zealand and globally.
“As we said at the time, the downturn has been severe, and the bounce-back has not materialised as expected.”