The New Zealand Government has officially begun looking into the creation super-sized public media entity.
According the NZ Herald, it is likely to be a combination of TVNZ and RNZ into one company.
Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi told a packed media conference this morning that Cabinet has approved the creation of a business case which will look into the formation of a new public media entity.
According to the NZ Herald, Mr Faafoi said the “unprecedented challenges” media organisations face are well known, citing increased competition from Google and Facebook, as well as declining revenue shares.
“That presents risks for the future viability of New Zealand’s public broadcasting operators, RNZ and TVNZ, and the Government needs to address those risks,” he said.
The Minister confirmed NZ On Air would continue to have an important role to fund local content for both commercial and non-commercial media outlets, and responding to the announcement, NZ On Air has said it looks forward to working with officials on the business case for a new public media entity.
NZ On Air Acting Chief Executive, Clare Helm, “We have seen exponential increase in demand on our funds, at the same time as the ability to compete against the global giants has eroded over recent years. The time for more intensive intervention is now.”
“Public media is vital to a strong democracy. How it is delivered is evolving.”
In response to budget cuts and the new structure, Radio New Zealand is proposing to cut its classical music radio network, and perhaps introduce a youth network.
