‘Television Theatre’ is established
Press, 25 October 1976
It is about one year since TV1’s “Television Theatre” Auckland project was first mooted.
About six weeks ago the new Auckland station manager, Eric Price, was appointed, and the first programme, the culmination of a year’s effort was recorded in the “Television Theatre” a few weeks ago.
Although still dependent on an outside broadcast van and Avalon recording facilities for production purposes, “Television Theatre” will prove a valuable asset to TV1 on both a national basis, and particularly in its Auckland operation.
The station manager, Eric Price, sees “Television Theatre” providing the facility to reflect Auckland and its environment and as being tangible evidence of TV1’s presence in the Auckland province.
“The benefits of a studio operation in Auckland are many,” he said. “Up till now our Auckland productions necessitated the shipping of crews and equipment from Wellington each week, the costs of travel and accommodation were immense.
“Often we were borrowing equipment and crews from TV2; now, however, with both stations becoming more established, this is less practical. An Auckland base will permit us, in the long run, to curtail many of these expenses.
“Furthermore, ‘Television Theatre' will allow us to capitalise on the brilliant light entertainment facility that Auckland provides.
“The larger part of international talent that comes to New Zealand travels through Auckland. With a studio on the spot we should be able to capture this talent for television work. Many of our local artists too, spend a great deal of their time working in Auckland, we now have the facility to turn this fact to our advantage.
“At the ‘public affairs' level the Auckland studio will allow a far wider range of material to be covered. Add to the nationwide political coverage that we already see, the current affairs of localised commercial growth, and you have a far more complete picture of current events.”
“Television Theatre” is being used for the new “Town Cryer” series, a quiz show with Peter Sinclair, “Mastermind,” and Saturday and Sunday sports broadcasts.
Comments