TV3 (New Zealand)

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TV3

Launched	26 November 1989
Owned by	CanWest MediaWorks
Country	New Zealand
Website	tv3.co.nz
Availability
Terrestrial
Analogue	normally tuned to 3
Satellite
SKY Network Television	Channel 3
Cable
TelstraClear InHomeTV	Channel 3

TV3 is a commercial television station in New Zealand. It began broadcasting on November 26, 1989 as the first privately owned television network in the country.

The station is part of CanWest MediaWorks NZ which also operates the CanWest-owned C4 music channel and numerous radio stations.

1 History
2 Logos
3 On air
4 See also
5 Reference
6 External links

[edit] History

Applications to apply for a warrant to operate New Zealand’s third television station opened in 1985. The Broadcasting Tribunal announced in 1987 that TV3 had won the warrant. TV3 initially aimed to provide a regionally based television service, with linked studios based in each of the four areas (Auckland, Wellington, Regional North Island, and South Island).

There were numerous delays that held back the start date of TV3. Litigation surrounded the granting of the warrant, as did the share market crash in October 1987, which wiped out a large proportion of the capital that TV3 required to establish the channel. The Minister of Broadcasting, Richard Prebble, announced in late 1987 that much of the UHF spectrum in New Zealand was to be auctioned to allow for an increased number of television channels, resulting in a reduction in the value of TV3’s warrant due to the increased competition. The drawn-out Tribunal process of frequency allocation that TV3 had just won would be replaced by a bidding process that would allocate frequencies in weeks rather than months or even years.

These problems resulted in the ambitious regional plans being rationalised before being shelved completely. The network was to be based in Auckland with limited studios and news and sales teams in the other main centres.

Broadcasting started on 26 November 1989, with a preview of what viewers could expect to see. Its first broadcast was a two-hour special previewing the network's programmes and featuring comedians David McPhail and Jon Gadsby playing cameramen. The TV3 slogan proclaimed, 'Come home to the feeling'. The following day about 60% of New Zealand "came home" to TV3's regular broadcasts.

Early in TV3's life, financial supporters of the network included The Walt Disney Company and NBC as a minority shareholding, who later sold their interest.

TV3 failed to gain ground against a recently revitalised TVNZ and was placed into receivership on May 2, 1990. It has been claimed that the receiver was called in too early and that advertising, which had been weak, was starting to improve. TV3 continued to broadcast, with the major creditor, Westpac Banking Corporation, supporting the network by taking a large shareholding.

In hindsight, much of TV3's initial failure stemmed from trying to be everything to everyone, attempting to match the state broadcaster show-for-show, rather than finding niche areas where it could flourish. It also was difficult to break the habits of TV viewers, especially launching at summer, and with the main advertising medium for programmes (TVNZ) heavily promoting its own lineup. High hopes were placed on domestically produced TV shows such as The Billy T. James Show, Issues, and Letter to Blanchy (only the pilot was aired at first, though subsequent episodes were made). TV3 was also home to what is possibly New Zealand's worst television show, the very short lived 'Melody Rules'. TV3 news anchorwoman Joanna Paul was one of the highest paid in the country at the time. It became apparent that the broad schedule meant that TV3 had used up its programmes too quickly. The state broadcaster, Television New Zealand, had been ready to take on the challenge. One early triumph was TV3's free-to-air coverage of the Gulf War, which was regarded as superior to that sourced by the state broadcaster on TV One.

As TV3 badly needed investment during a climate of economic recession, the Government liberalised the rules on foreign ownership of television stations (lifting the 15% cap to 49% and later removing all restrictions), allowing TV3 to search for an investor overseas. In December 1991, CanWest took a 20 percent shareholding in TV3 and secured a management agreement allowing it full control to operate the station. CanWest introduced tighter controls on budgets while targeting the lucrative 18-49 year old audience. TV3’s audience share and advertising revenue steadily increased, leading to significant profits. TV3 also steadily increased its coverage of New Zealand, adding dozens of transmitters and translators, often with the assistance of New Zealand on Air. By 1998 approximately 97% of the population could receive the channel.

Eventually, TV3's success came from defining itself through its flagship news programmes, its domestically produced current affairs' programmes, and its entertainment programming.

On 2 October 1996, TV3 announced that a reshuffle of its broadcast frequencies would enable it to launch a new network, to be called TV4 Network Limited, on the VHF band. TV4, which started on June 29, 1997, is a free to air network aimed at a younger audience than TV3. The launch was considered successful, with high brand recognition and ratings significantly higher than MTV, TV4’s television rival. TV4's opening broadcast was the controversial Tyson-Holyfield boxing rematch. [1]

In April 1997 CanWest purchased Westpac’s 48% shareholding in TV3, taking CanWest’s stake to 68%. In June CanWest picked up the More FM Radio network, followed in November with the purchase of the remaining 32% of TV3. In April 1998, CanWest announced that it had made C$22m in the 6 months to February 1998 in New Zealand, up a third on the same period the year before. TV4 contributed positively to the result, with some of the increase due to the inclusion of More FM, while TV3 was continuing to experience strong revenue growth.

Canwest's investments in New Zealand have developed considerably in New Zealand over the period that it has had interests in the country. TV4 continued to be a source of concern for the broadcaster the position of TV3 has been strengthened by alliances with SKY Television for sport and a series of high profile mistakes by TVNZ as it dealt with the dominance of SKY in pay television. The election of the Labour Government in 1999 would refocus TVNZ as a semi-non-commercial broadcaster and would mean that its focus on driving ratings and dominating the free to air television market would stumble. TV3 took advantage of this steadily working on ensuring a friendly public image.

During 2004 the station was transferred into the ownership of Canwest MediaWorks NZ as a way of listing 30% of the Canadian company's New Zealand assets on the New Zealand share market. TV3's parent company TVWorks announced its annual revenue at $124 million in October 2004 which were $13 million up from the previous financial year.

[edit] Logos

1989 - 1994

1994- 2003

2003 to the present

[edit] On air

[edit] News

3 News logo (since 2005)

TV3 operates a significant news and current affairs department, responsible for over 9 hours of peak programming weekly. News and current affairs programming is in constant high demand by advertisers and attracts premium rates. TV3's flagship one-hour bulletin, 3 News is aired nightly at 6pm. TV3 also has a number of other news and current affair programmes.

[edit] Sport

TV3 currently holds the free-to-air rights to the A1GP and 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. It had previously held the delayed free-to-air rights to Cricket and Rugby Union.

[edit] Entertainment

TV3 has a long term agreement with Fox Broadcasting Company to purchase network programming, and that agreement has been supplemented by others with Universal, CBS and Alliance Atlantis. TV3 broadcasts entertainment programming targeted at the 18–49 age demographic, the most attractive audience group to New Zealand advertisers and their agencies. TV3 reaches its chosen niche audience through a combination of New Zealand-produced programming, United States network series and other international programming, primarily from Australia and the United Kingdom.

TV3's international shows include:

[edit] Current locally made shows

Show	Release Date	Notes
3 News	1989	TV3 6 p.m. news show presented by Mike McRoberts and Hilary Barry, originally known as 3 National News.
60 Minutes	2002	Current affairs show presented by Mike McRoberts. Also screened on TV3 between 1990 and 1992.
Campbell Live	2005	Current affairs talk show hosted by John Campbell.
Nightline	1989	Late-night news and entertainment show with Carly Flynn.
Outrageous Fortune	2005	Local drama series
Hyundai Sports Tonight		Late night sports' news show that follows Nightline.
Sticky TV	2002	Children's after-school presented show.

[edit] Locally-made shows on hiatus

Show	Release Date	Notes
bro'Town	2004	New Zealand made animated series.
Downsize Me	2005	Reality show where each week an overweight New Zealander is put on a strict eating and exercise program in order to bring this person down to a healthy weight in just 8 weeks.
Honey We're Killing The Kids	2006	Reality show where a families bad lifestyle choices are targetted. From healthy eatting to reducing time spent watching TV, to the family spending more time together and getting active.
Inside New Zealand	1994	Documentry series
Target	1999	Consumer watchdog and advice show.
Maddigan's Quest	2006	Drama series.
Money Man	2006	Reality show where presenter Brendon Johnson moves into a couple or individuals home and through strict measures gets the couple or individuals finances under control in just 3 days.
Pulp Sport	2005	Sports comedy show presented by Bill and Ben
Sing Like A Superstar	2005	Celebrity Talent Show similar to NZ Idol
The Perfect Age	2006	A group of New Zealanders from different age groups participate in various challenges to determine what is The Perfect Age.

[edit] Past/ended locally-made programmes

Show	Release Date	Notes
20/20	1993 - 2003	New Zealand version of ABC Current affairs show and featured content from the US version. Started screening on TV2 in 2005
Billy T. James show	1990	Comedy drama show starring New Zealand entertainer, Billy T. James.
Candid Camera	1991 - 1992	New Zealand version of a show where tricks are played on members of the public while they are being filmed unknowingly on camera.
Early Bird Show	1989 - 1992	Saturday morning childrens show, originally screened weekday mornings. Presented by Russell Rooster and Suzy Cato. Also known as EBS.
Hot Property	2000 - 2003	Hosted by Petra Bagurst, the team would help someone who was having trouble selling their home by giving the house a more refreshing image.
In-focus	1990 - 1992	Talk show for teenagers replaced by Ice-TV.
Ice TV	1993 - 2000	Entertainment show for teenagers hosted by Petra Bagurst, Jon Bridges and Nathan Rarere
Issues	1990 - 1993	Comedy show that made fun of current events and TV shows and advertisements. Originally screened as 1990 The Issues and screened on TVNZ in 1991.
Melody Rules	1993	New Zealands worst ever produced comedy/drama series.
Perfect Match	1989 - 1990	Dating show similar to the show that was also at the time screening on TV2, Blind Date.
Police Stop	1996 - 1997	Reality show presented by Peter Brock. The show filmed various crimes mostly traffic crime. A special episode was screened in 2006, a week after Peter Brock was killed in rally accident.
Sale of the Century	1994 - 1995	Originally screened on TV1 until 1993 and TV3 had a go at reviving the show in 1994 still hosted by Steve Parr but Julie White was the new co-host. Axed after TV1 extended their news show to a one hour long show and could no longer compete.
Skitz	1994 - 1996	Comedy show using various skits and in some cases made fun of current TV shows and advertisements.
Time of Your Life	1996 - 1997	Hosted by Petra Bagurst, Mathew Ridge and Marc Ellis. The show looked at many of the great holiday attractions available around New Zealand.
Tele Laughs	1996	A spin-off from Skitz but this time just clips making fun of current TV shows and advertisements and current events.
The Price is Right	1992	New Zealand version of a popular game show.
The Ultimate Survivor	2000	Weekly TV coverage of a radio competition being run by More FM Wellington. Contestants had to survive on a barge placed in the middle of the Wellington Harbour.
You and Me Suzy's World	1992	Preschool childrens show presented by Suzy Cato.

[edit] See also

FreeView

[edit] Reference

TV3 Website 2006 [2] Retrieved Jan. 5 2006

[edit] External links

v • d • e National Terrestrial Free-To-Air Television Networks in New Zealand
TV ONE \| TV2 \| TV3 \| C4 \| Trackside \| Prime TV \| Māori Television

CanWest Global Communications Corp.

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