Press, 11 October 1979, Page 6
PA Auckland Viewers will get almost 1400 more hours of local shows on New Zealand television next year after the reorganisation of TV1 and TV2 into Television New Zealand.
Mr lan Cross, chairman of the Broadcasting Council, said in Auckland yesterday when announcing plans for new programmes in 1980 that significant gains in production would stem from the rationalisation of the two networks’ resources and facilities.
We can now say that we are not financially limited by the effect of having no licence fee increase for five years.
Mr Cross said. He said .that local programming next year would be an estimated 2926 hours, compared with 2550 this year. The latter figure, which was actually an increase on previous years, had been achieved in spite of the financial cuts. It was even possible, Mr Cross said, that programmes made, by private production houses might increase the figure even more.
He spoke later of a substantial budget
in 1980 for the independents. A total New. Zealand content of 40 per cent might be achieved across both channels. he said. The B.C.N.Z. board has provided the finance to make this possible.
Production at Avalon, the main production centre, would rise 50 per cent. Mr Cross described the new regional programmes which will screen at 7.30 p.m. each day on TV1, as laying the' foundation for television throughout the 1980s.
They are essential for the development of television in New Zealand, but they will impose new disciplines and make new demands on staff.
he said More entertainment programme. but possibly less locally produced drama, will be emphasised next year.
A new "In Concert” series will contain material ranging from a New Zealand Opera Company production of La Boheme to a co-production of a Danny La Rue Down Under series. The latter series will be written, acted, and danced by New Zealanders, and will star Danny La Rue and Roninie Corbett.
Each 50-minute programme in the series of 39 will also include items based on the Hong Kong Arts Festival. including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. John Rowles in New Zealand emphasising Māori culture, a show devoted to the best New Zealand. American, and Australian brass bands, and a jazz series starring the Neophonic Orchestra, Roger Fox, and overseas entertainers.
Other entertainment programmes include a variety series, again of 50-minute programmes which will start in March or April next year. It is intended for prime-time viewing and will feature a host personality accompanied by overseas guest stars and supporting acts. A new Image series will also start in March.
The first show will be 'based on a 1930 s radio show. such as the B.B.C. Old Time Music Hall.
Country and Western music will return in the second show, and the third, entitled Itchy Feet will use middle-of--the-road
material.
The Auckland cooks, Hudson and Halls, will return with their cooking, music, and chat show next year in a series of 26 programmes. A similar show, but of only 13 programmes, will be made at Wellington.
Some of the present shows will return, including Ready to Roll, Radio With Pictures, and Stars on Sunday. Viewers will not lack for, quiz shows. Forty-eight half-hour programmes will include Mastermind, University Challenge, and two new series called Master of Arts and Academic.
More quiz shows., such as Supersale and Stumpers. are likely to be made in all four production centres.
It is also proposed to make seven “one-off" comedy shows late next year. However, the drama list is relatively short.
Mortimer's Patch, a new police series produced by TV2, will continue, as will Close to Home.
New series include Sea Urchins. a children’s adventure scries set around the Maharangi Peninsula, Jocko. a series derived from a TV1 drama called High Country. which has not been shown yet, and a series based on the work of the Ombudsman.
Other areas will contain a sprinkling of new programmes.
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