Hot Off the Press Release: TVNZ Supersizes NZ TV Slate

TVNZ this morning unveiled its 2021 highlights, promising an unprecedented local content slate, including the switching of Prime staple The Brokenwood Mysteries to TVNZ 1, NZ versions of The Apprentice and Travel Guides, and the rebooting of ’90s hit Popstars.

Details on international deals were light but the broadcaster has scored David Attenborough’s latest, A Perfect Planet.

Here’s the media release:

Homegrown Heroes and Epic Events – TVNZ announces its 2021 line-up

TVNZ has announced its blockbuster line-up for 2021, with exciting new shows, iconic reboots and returning favourites packing the schedule.

“The production deferrals resulting from Covid-19 restrictions have definitely hampered content supply in 2020, but the efforts of our content partners will enable Te Reo Tātaki, TVNZ to deliver an unprecedented slate of new local content in 2021,” says Chief Executive, Kevin Kenrick.

“Our Covid-19 recovery is tracking ahead of expectations and this has provided the confidence for TVNZ to increase investment in local news and entertainment content; free-to-air sports; and continued online streaming growth.”

Leading Local:

“Viewers love local content and we’re excited to announce 2021 will be our biggest local content slate in over a decade. We’re engaging the best storytellers and creators from around the country and making the most of our talented production industry,” says Director of Content, Cate Slater.

TVNZ’s standout local line-up spans TVNZ 1, 2, DUKE and TVNZ OnDemand. In the reality space, iconic series, Popstars will be rebooted for the new decade. Superstar mentor, Kimbra will nurture our next singing sensations.

Over in the boardroom, The Apprentice Aotearoa will search for the next titan of business. The Great Kiwi Bake Off is back, but this time on 1.

It’s roses at the ready with more Bachelorette NZ, and The Bachelor NZ will also be joining the journey for love in 2021.

Celebrity Treasure Island will castaway a new batch of stars on home soil after striking ratings gold with viewers last year and Travel Guides NZ will also hit the road.

Factual programming will boast some of the country’s most recognisable faces.

• Clarke Gayford will transport homes from one end of the country to the other in Moving Houses.
• Carlos Spencer is picking up the tools in Carlos’ Reno Rescue.
• Scotty and Stacey Morrison will take an emotional journey behind Kiwi’s cherished objects in National Treasures.
• We’ll tag along with Stan Walker and whānau in The Walkers.
• Anika Moa will bring the band back together in Anika Moa Reunited
• Scribe – the Return of the Crusader will see the resurrection of a rap idol.
• Fan favourites, Eat Well For Less NZ and The Casketeers will both be back with new seasons.

TVNZ’s local drama and comedy slate features innovative ideas and fresh talent.

• Creamerie  will explore Aotearoa without men
• Vegas presents an action thriller about a young leader trying to free his people from the curse of meth.
• The Panthers series (based on the rise of the revolutionary Polynesian Panther movement in the 1970s).
• 1 Premiere Stories (Centrepoint, When a City Rises, Black Magic, Tender Trap, Six Angry Women, Whina, They Shall Not Grow Old) will uncover the people behind some of New Zealand’s most well-known events.
• Beloved Brokenwood Mysteries is jumping over to TVNZ for its 2021 season and it’s Australia vs. New Zealand in new comedy panel show, Patriot Brains.

On the returning front, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Wellington Paranormal, Kura, One Lane Bridge and much-loved soap, Shortland Street are all back for more.

News and current affairs is the backbone of the TVNZ 1 schedule. The 1 News team will continue to deliver breaking news and agenda-setting stories, alongside flagship programmes, Breakfast, Midday, Te Karere, Seven Sharp, Tonight, Q+A, Fair Go, Sunday, Marae, Tagata Pasifika and alternative news platform, Re:.

While the focus is local, hit international shows will sit alongside homegrown productions to round out the schedule.

TVNZ’s partnership with the BBC will see David Attenborough’s A Perfect Planet on TVNZ 1, Lucy Lawless will be back with My Life is Murder.

Crowd-pleasers like Beat the Chasers, Home and Away and Coronation Street will retain their pride of place in primetime.

Unmissable Sports and Events:

“Live event coverage is must-watch television and we’re committed to screening big sporting moments and premium events free-to-air. There will be broadcast rights we’ll look to secure by ourselves and we’ll continue to partner with like-minded content providers to bring moments that matter into Kiwis’ living rooms too,” says Cate Slater.

2021 will kick off with one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar – the 36^th America’s Cup. The World Series Events and the Prada Cup will build audience anticipation for the celebrated sailing duel over the coming months.

TVNZ’s action-packed sports portfolio will also include a summer of cricket, with a selection of matches from T20 international men’s and women’s series, as well as the Super Smash competition.

The hugely entertaining T20 Black Clash will return in January, and Olympics and Paralympics coverage is scheduled for mid-2021.

Supersized TVNZ OnDemand:

“Having a line-up of the biggest and brightest only counts if you deliver the content how viewers chose to watch it. With audiences continuing to move between linear and digital viewing options, TVNZ OnDemand is integral to our future success,” says Kevin Kenrick.

TVNZ OnDemand has recorded over a quarter of a billion streams this year. In 2020, new developments refined the user experience, such as branded digital channels zoning in on specific interests. Innovation in the commercial space included the launch of interactive connected TV advertising and dynamic ad insertion in live streaming.

In 2021, TVNZ OnDemand will deliver an unsurpassed slate of local content combined with a market leading selection of great international shows, available on the devices New Zealand viewers choose to stream online content.