Future uncertain for TV3 hosts

News presenters Hilary Barry and Mike McRoberts will be next to come under TV3's scrutiny. Photo / Supplied

Hilary Barry and Mike McRoberts may no longer be the faces of 3 News when a major revamp takes place later this year.

TV3 Head of News Mark Jennings has revealed to the Herald that a new-look bulletin will launch in November, when the network integrates its television and radio newsrooms into one operation.

Jennings said 3 News will be "the next cab off the rank" following a complete overhaul of the network's daily news programmes, including the launch of Story this week.

"If you look in the last six months, we've launched three new projects. Paul Henry, Newsworthy and now Story. We have put a lot of concentration and commitment into those products. Six o'clock probably hasn't had quite the same attention."

He said the revamp will focus predominantly on style and content, rather than presenter line-ups. However, he said he cannot rule out presenter changes as a possibility.

"It's a really hard question because if I rule it out and we do make changes, then I'm a liar. Put it this way, we haven't fixed our thinking around that. It's not impossible but it's not probable."

When asked if the bulletin could be reduced to a shorter half-hour format, Jennings said he thought it highly unlikely.

"I seriously don't think it is on the cards. The economics around producing an hour's news are sound. News as a category is going well. Both bulletins [One News and 3 News] are reaching a lot of people.

"You wouldn't rule it out because consumption patterns do change but no, it's definitely not something I think is going to happen in the short term."

3 News has witnessed a steady decline in ratings since mid-2013, while rival One News is experiencing a surge in popularity.