ScreenScribe

As predicted, HD Broadway drama Smash is exiting stage right from primetime after weeks of persistently low ratings. It will screen after TV3’s Sunday night movie, starting October 7 with episode six. The series struggled in the US, too, but won a last-minute reprieve after analysis of its consolidated ratings (which include PVR viewing) compensated for […]

Sony NZ has still to finalise the price of its first 4K consumer TV but already CNET reckons it will be surpassed by the much cheaper XBR-HX950 HD TV. “Yes, the XBR-HX950 is smaller and lower-resolution, and yes, it’s still extremely expensive at a beginning list price of $US3,500,” CNET says. “But I expect it […]

News of TV3 making its own X Factor next year follows mixed ratings for the US season’s premiere on Thursday. The two-hour launch seesawed with TV2’s reality shows in most of the major demographics, averaging 7.9% – 10.7%. TV2’s line-up dominated from 7.30-9.30 but traditionally shows like X Factor don’t develop momentum until the auditions […]

Season Highlight: Fringe (TV2, 10.35, 5.1) In the year 2036, a new Fringe team takes on the Observers in a war that will change everything. But to win, they must resurrect a legendary figure from their past. “On its surface, this Fringe episode was a departure from the usual unusualness of the series, yet it in fact continued the series’ ongoing […]

The live season finale of The Block NZ helped TV3 to win the night on Thursday but couldn’t turn its new musical drama into a smash hit. The Block NZ averaged 11.4% – 15.8% of the key demographics, peaking with 22% of household shoppers and 19% of 25-54 year-olds in its last quarter-hour. It largely […]

SoHo Highlight: Boss (Sky 10, 8.35, 5.1) Better With Popcorn says episode two of the Kelsey Grammer sensation deals dramatically and emotionally with the fallout from the shooting at the end of the season premiere and whether Mayor Tom Kane’s wife, Meredith, will survive. “Politics and power grabs are mostly forgotten, at least for the first half […]

Series Premiere: Smash (TV3, 9.30, 5.1) Glee may be exiting stage right to Four but this musical drama is no mere consolation prize. About a writing duo who conceive a Broadway show based on Marilyn Monroe’s life, it was one of the most acclaimed new dramas of the 2011/12 US TV season. Raved the Los Angeles Times: “The […]

NZ’s definitive fee-to-air guide to what’s airing nightly in 1080i: Saturday What Would You Do? (TV One, 4.25, R) Judy Bailey’s Australia (TV One, 4.55, R, F) TradeZone Gone Fishin’ (TV3, 5.00, R) Hyundai Country Calendar (TV One, 7.00) ITM Fishing Show (TV3, 7.00) Smash (TV3, 8.30, 5.1, R) The Killing  (TV3 9.30, 5.1, R) Movie: Waitress (TV3, 10.30, 5.1, R) Sunday Operation Hero (TV2, […]

New Zealand’s definitive free-to-air guide to what’s airing nightly in 1080i: Saturday What Would You Do? (TV One, 4.25, R) Judy Bailey’s Australia (TV One, 4.55, R) TradeZone Gone Fishin’ (TV3, 5.00, R) Hyundai Country Calendar (TV One, 7.00) ITM Fishing Show (TV3, 7.00) CSI: New York (TV3, 8.30, 5.1) CSI: Miami (TV3 9.30, 5.1) Movie: Premonition (TV3, 10.25, 5.1, R) Nothing […]

TV3 will use two-hour specials of The Block NZ to launch HD dramas The Killing and Smash. The Killing, both seasons of which already have aired on SoHo, will screen 9.30 Wednesdays from September 5 and the musical drama Smash, 9.30 Thursday from September 6. From September 13, Smash’s lead-in will be The X-Factor USA, […]