Readers' views: TVNZ commercials

The call by a group of prominent New Zealanders for big changes at TVNZ struck a chord with many Herald readers. Emails poured in, most criticising the current programme line-up and calling for a commercial-free public TV channel. Here is a sample from yesterday's responses:

With a few exceptions, the gang of 31 who would dictate our television future appear to be political lefties or people who sense an opportunity to get even more public funding for their artistic endeavours. Let's face it - television is not really important (well, maybe live sport is). Does it matter if "the lowest common denominator" rules? TVNZ has performed abysmally in recent times because other channels have been better at providing what viewers want. Perhaps the state-owned outfit would lift its game if it became a listed public company. By claiming New Zealand should have more television, our prominent oldtimers are surely confusing the kids most of us criticise for wasting too much time playing video games instead of exercising. As this oldie totters around the golf course twice weekly or goes for his nightly stroll, he'll comfort himself with visions of the gang being forced to watch hours of their beloved Close To Home and talking-heads show Gallery as they plot to hijack TVNZ.
- David Williams

I'm not an "older" person. I currently reside in Sydney but come home often with work for several weeks at a time. I absolutely agree that I have watched a serious downhill slide in TVNZ's programming towards cheap and sensationalist or voyeuristic and mentally unchallenging television, mostly from overseas. The amount of advertising I also find unbearable - and I work in that industry! A positive change would be very welcomed by many I know, and they're not necessarily "oldies".
- Claire Richards

I hardly ever watch TV. Any programmes worth watching I tape. Usually it's only about three programmes a week and often only two. The news is not news any more on TV. News should be just that - news, not a reporter's own opinion of the news. It should be accurate and unbiased. I get better news coverage - and unbiased - on the internet. Not everyone is lucky enough to own a computer. How to cook, redecorate your house, and bad neighbours, etc, is not entertaining or interesting. Nor are programmes about unruly children particularly interesting. Just visit your local supermarket in school holidays for that kind of "entertainment". Thank God for books.
- Jo Marshall

I agree that advertising on TVNZ should be reduced. There is nothing more infuriating than watching a movie and as it gets closer to the end, the number of ad breaks and adverts increases. It has stopped us watching any big blockbuster movies on TV (including TV2 and TV3) - we either use Sky or rent a DVD. Plus some of the ads are pretty bad ... do I need to say any more?
- Clare Thorne

My husband and I totally agree with the eminent citizens re TV One. The channel has become rubbish. We only used to watch TV One, now we rarely do as it has descended to the lowest common denominator. We are sick to death of all the reality shows, awful children and every other boring-unto-death programme which now grace the screen. We now watch Sky programmes which are a pleasure as there are no ghastly advertisements to speak of.
- Beatrice Poppe

Yes, New Zealand should have a public TV channel. It is way past time we had programming for those with an average or even above average IQ. As these are the people less likely to be influenced by advertisements, it is not surprising that advertiser-driven programming has favoured stations airing programmes for the intelligence-challenged. Satellite TV, though it collects money from the viewers, still has advertising revenue, and so is going to fall into the same trap. We need an advert-free channel to prevent the dumbing-down of New Zealand. Just look what has happened to American TV - that fate awaits us unless we act now.
- Vik Olliver, Waitakere

It might be something of a pie in the sky suggestion to ask for commercial-free channels in this day and age. If it is to happen I do agree that the people producing the programmes need to lift their game significantly. The programmes screening on TV2 could only charitably be described as pulp at best. I am old enough to remember commercial-free Sunday TV and do recall that it was quite a pleasure to watch a show from beginning to end uninterrupted, but I'm not even remotely interested in subsidising Julie Christie's sewage plant.
- Reece Palmer

If Britain and Australia can have a commercial-free channel, why can't we?
- Isaac Broome, Auckland

It should be a commercial-free station and it should have better programming. Other countries do it. Why not NZ? And as a small country, we'd say there's more at stake here in preserving a local NZ identity (not to mention that a regional identity, ie South Pacific/Australasian would be helpful to us also). Most NZ artists/writers/producers have had to make it internationally in spite of the country, its media policies and its isolation. Truly public television with far more local programming and input would improve and broaden opportunities for NZ's creative community and be far more worthwhile for the viewing public. Isn't this the way it should be? There is a profound need for people to start thinking more strategically (and turning back the tide of greed).
- Kelvin Roy

I can only support the self-described "geriatric" in their push for an advertising-free public broadcast channel. The standard of television in New Zealand is, from an external viewpoint, quite dreadful; it obviously has and can only further contribute to the dumbing down of intelligent debate in the country. No matter what National Party spokespersons might opine, it is not only disturbing but quite scary that there is no advertising-free channel available in New Zealand. For heaven's sake, even countries under right wing administrations (Australia and the United Kingdom) have advertising-free channels.
- Christopher Thompson

State TV has to be funded either through commercials or through taxes. If it's through commercials, then the people who watch effectively pay for it. If it's through taxes, then people who don't watch are forced to pay. Of course the people who watch will try to force the rest of us to pay for their entertainment. But why should we? I thought the Government wanted people to get out and exercise, not sit in front of the telly. And there are much important demands on our tax dollars.
- Nigel Kearney

The general standard of all the TV broadcasters is a disgrace to our intelligence. As a family we have virtually cut our viewing down to a bare minimum as we are fed up with the amount of advertising, the lack of quality programmes and documentaries as well as the amount of low standard NZ programmes we are meant to endure. We fully support Sir Douglas Graham's comments (no relation) and just cannot understand how anyone can endure TV4, let alone the puerile stuff on TV2 & TV3. Give us a break.
- D. Graham

What a joy, someone is doing something about it at long last. I had decided the poor quality was a plot to force us all to pay for intelligent television. Do the advertisers realise that fewer and fewer people are watching the local channels, I wonder?
- Sherilyn Coney

It is about time that something was done about TVNZ. Too many ads. During the figure skating last night there was a three-minute ad break between every competitor. Thank goodness for Sky, Arts, History, Discovery, Sport, Movies. And yet it does not have to be like this. With modern cameras and editing software virtually anyone can make a TV programme. I have just made a programme showing how to do it. With a basic camcorder and editing program I have produced an entertaining specialist TV series on bookbinding which is just about to be launched on the web selling to libraries worldwide. Okay, not everyone's cup of tea, but it is a New Zealand programme and worthy of air space. The point is, we do not have to put up with the commercial, lowest common denominator programmes today. I applaud the group of watchdogs. About time.
- Janette Heffernan

The quickest way to have my Sky membership cancelled - ad-free TV - Please!
- D. F. Husselmann

Of course we should have a commercial-free public TV channel as other countries have.
- Y.F. Drummond

The proposition of the true blue New Zealanders is long overdue; we have observed that on TV1 the programmes funded by Government money and made locally are far superior to the other purchased and imported material. There is enough talent in the country to produce excellent television. Public awareness will see to it that the channel will not become a mouthpiece for the Government of the day. Commercial interests can then compete on the other channels, hopefully raising the level of their programming.
- M. Riegstra, Devonport

My mother has already switched to TV3 news because of the much poorer presentation [on TV1]. Simon speaks too quickly and Wendy, although speaking more slowly, cannot be lip-read. So, after many years, as long as I can remember, my mother has changed. She goes back for the weather presentation which is much easier to understand than that of TV3. Programming on One has become the lowest common denominator. Insiders Guides are trash, who wants to keep seeing crime dramas, the good programmes are on at ridiculous times (Blue Heelers, The Alice, Heartbeat). Yes, I know these programmes don't have gratuitous sex and liberal swearing but they are much better than most of what is on at earlier times. Redeeming programme this week is the return of Fair Go.
- Mrs Marguerite Keir

Absolutely! We should have a Government funded advertisement-free TV channel. Britain and Australia have always had one and they show great programmes. The number of advertisements on TV1 is sickening - no wonder people turn off.
- Marjery Corrin

I too agree - New Zealand should have a fully funded national broadcaster as we have here in Australia. I watch the majority of my television on the ABC and am somewhat disappointed with the poor standard of TV1 when back in New Zealand.
- Anthony Leighton

I agree that there should be fewer advertisements on television. It is very frustrating when you are getting very involved in a programme to then have it broken up constantly by ads. I no longer watch movies on TV because of this, preferring instead to purchase DVDs so I can have clean viewing. It seems that the ads now outweigh the programme.
- Kim Bowater

I agree wholeheartedly. TV2 often has good programmes but by the last three quarters of the movie or programme you get ads every three minutes or so. Really frustrating, so usually I turn it off or go to another channel and find the ending of the movie some other way.
- Sharon O'Connell

I agree with those who have put their name to the petition requesting a higher standard of content in TV1 programming. We have been talking about this for long enough. Let's do something about it.
- Ann Masters

No, I don't agree that public TV channels should be commercial-free - and they should not be fully funded by the public. Taxpayers' money would be better spent on essential public services, such as improving our health care and education systems.
- Nancy So

Ideally TVNZ should be fully publicly funded; at the very minimum advertising should be reduced by 50 per cent. We no longer watch TV because of the stupefying ads. There is no alternative television without ads. The fact that TVNZ and other SOEs are expected to make a profit and pay tax to the Government when they are providing a public service is total anathema to me - just another form of taxation.
- Ian Downard

I concur with the content of the petition and add my middle-aged pensioner voice to the request. Even the news is a disgrace to the intelligence of the average thinking person. We mature folk are awake during the daylight hours and would welcome quality viewing of overseas documentaries.
- Paula Chamberlain

My husband and I heartily endorse improving the content of our television programmes. It would be preferable to pay a yearly fee and get quality service; the present programme content is abysmal, boring and forgettable.
- Blanche Guernier

My wife and I agree with the concept of a Government-funded, advert-free TV channel. Although the Government have a budget surplus, no doubt they need this to fund election promises, so a small ($25 normal, $10 pensioner) "licence" fee could be charged.
- Ian D. King