MediaWorks stars Mike McRoberts and Samantha Hayes are currently away from the Auckland office. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
MediaWorks stars Mike McRoberts and Samantha Hayes are currently away from the Auckland office. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
About 520 staff face an uncertain future as channel put on the market — no buyers are in sight and the Government won’t step in.
New Zealand's media landscape could be set for a seismic shift as MediaWorks puts its TV arm and Auckland headquarters up for sale with no obvious buyers or Government intervention in sight.
Up to 520 jobs hang in the balance at the cash-strapped, 29-year-old broadcaster, which was once worth $700m on the stock market.
As audiences steadily pick up new viewing habits with streaming service options in abundance, and what it says are inequities with its rival TVNZ, MediaWorks has effectively been fighting on two fronts and losing ground in both battles.
Advertisers have seen the viewing changes and jumped; spending in the digital realm has increased from $366m in 2012 to $899m in 2018.
MediaWorks bosses have ruled out a sudden closure of its flagship channel, Three, which screens Newshub's 6pm news, The Project and The AM Show, which is simulcast on its radio station Magic. It also owns Bravo, a "pure entertainment" channel known for reality shows, and ThreeLife, a lifestyle-focused channel.
But this week MediaWorks axed or reduced several shows including 7 Days and Married at First Sight NZ. The Project host Jesse Mulligan said Three might have no choice but to shut down if the Government doesn't change its broadcasting policy.
Media commentators said the TV business was worth "zero" and it was difficult to see who would take it on.
The sale is the latest blot on the media landscape in this country.
Stuff was also put up for sale this year but Australian owner Nine put that on hold after it failed to get a satisfactory bid.
TVNZ is on course for a $17m loss this financial year.
The announcement left MediaWorks staff reeling.
Mediaworks chief executive Michael Anderson said he was "angry" at suggestions the planned sale was a bluff. Photo / Supplied
It is understood they found out about the plans six minutes before they were made public.
TV presenters were called to one-on-one meetings, though some of the network's biggest names are away. Newshub Live at 6 anchor Mike McRoberts is in Japan for the Rugby World Cup and Samantha Hayes is on maternity leave.
Former 6pm news anchor Hilary Barry, who spent 23 years at MediaWorks, said she was "incredibly sad and concerned" for her former colleagues.
"There are so many talented and genuinely wonderful people there. I just want to give every one of them a giant hug," she tweeted.
MediaWorks chief executive Michael Anderson also dismissed any suggestion that the announcement was an attempt to force the Government's hand over regulations governing TVNZ.
"I actually feel quite angry about such statements.
The Government is looking at its options to strengthen public media, which could include making TVNZ advert-free — allowing MediaWorks to pick up leftover ad revenue.
Asked if it was a level playing field, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday: "This Government is not putting funding into the day-to-day operations of TVNZ and I think that's important to keep in mind."
Mediaworks' headquarters in Eden Terrace, Auckland, are also up for sale. Photo / Alex Burton
She said there was a place for a public broadcaster in New Zealand, and the Government was strengthening public broadcasting.
"We need to have a strong media to hold to account both political agents, but others as well."
Commerce Minister Kris Faafoi has said work would be unveiled before the end of the year, and would not be fast-tracked as a result of the MediaWorks' sale.
Media agency veteran Alex Lawson said he could not think of anyone who would want to buy MediaWorks' TV assets.
Lawson, the general manager at Carat, said the obvious choice would be another media company, but he couldn't think of a local player with the means or appetite to fork out for the business.
"It's a really tough sell. It would have to come from abroad.
"Maybe another international private capital group or an Australian broadcaster?"
