TVNZ Banks on New Business Show
April 23, 2026 
6 Comments
TVNZ’s early-morning business show will premiere on May 11 as BNZ Business Breakfast.
Here’s the media release:
TVNZ partners with BNZ to launch BNZ Business Breakfast |
TVNZ and BNZ have today announced a new naming-rights partnership, launching BNZ Business Breakfast. Announced last month, the new weekday morning programme to be fronted by 1News’ Mei Heron will launch on Monday 11 May. BNZ Business Breakfast will provide comprehensive coverage of the business landscape, blending the sharpest local and international stories with real-time market updates and expert analysis. Designed to serve New Zealand’s corporate leaders and small business owners, the partnership between TVNZ and BNZ reflects a shared commitment to authoritative, agenda setting commentary each morning. TVNZ’s Chief Revenue Officer Valerie Walshe says, “BNZ’s deep understanding of the economic landscape and the needs of New Zealand businesses make them an ideal partner for a programme designed to equip audiences with the information that matters most each morning.” Bank of New Zealand CEO Dan Huggins says BNZ is proud to support Kiwi businesses with the information they need to make confident decisions. “At a time when the global economic environment is more complex and fast-moving than ever, access to credible, timely information isn’t a nice-to-have for Kiwi businesses, it’s essential. “Partnering with TVNZ to bring BNZ Business Breakfast to life is about making sure every business owner and leader in this country can start their day informed, prepared, and ready to act.” BNZ Business Breakfast, streaming live weekdays from 6am on TVNZ+ and TVNZ 1. Additional short-form updates and extended interviews available on TVNZ+, 1News.co.nz, plus across the morning on Breakfast. |
I guess it’s back to the future. Any word Philip if Breakfast will go 7 days a week with advertising now allowed on Sunday mornings? — Leo.
I like your thinking Leo but I would imagine that penal rates for producing weekend editions wouldn’t warrant the ad revenue they might generate. Moreover, it wouldn’t be the same morning audience at that time of the day on a Saturday or Sunday, in terms of demographics or size, so ad rates would have to be lower. Had there been any mileage in a weekend Breakfast slot I’m sure TVNZ already would have experimented with repackaging highlights of the week into a Saturday or Sunday edition.
Fair enough Philip, the last Saturday Breakfast experience only lasted two years before the axe swung after the Lotto sponsorship ended. Hopefully something more cost effective can be found to allow a 7 day a week morning show. — Leo.
Interesting that TVNZ usually only makes moves like this when competition rears its head. NZ Herald launched their Herald NOW Business show on March 16th (6:30am-7am), hosted by Garth Bray. With their Ryan Bridge Today show already on ThreeNow and being added to TV3 proper soon, the Herald business show could also be back on FTA TV this year. But as was previously shown, the NZ market can’t sustain two early morning business shows. — Dave.
It’s rather tiresome that TVNZ only pipes up when there’s competition. I suppose if Three launched a midday or late news product they’d jump at the chance to launch their own instead of just being the public broadcaster and having these shows without being reactive. — Leo.
Couldn’t agree more, Leo! And if you are going to slash and burn your news and current affairs output, at least replace it with something more appropriate than Aussie game show re-runs.