TVNZ Ditches Showcase and Ponders Pay Service

For the first time in seemingly more than 30 years, TVNZ hasn’t previewed its new programming to media and ad buyers in a “showcase” extravaganza.

It’s become a casualty of traditional TV “seasons” no longer being relevant in a streaming age when new series are trumpeted almost weekly.

“Our annual content announcements worked well when broadcasters globally followed a ‘new season’ and ‘mid-season’ format,” a spokeswoman told ScreenScribe.

“In today’s streaming environment, we’re announcing and launching content most weeks and the ‘new season launch’ event make less sense for us.”

TVNZ is replacing it with a trade event that focuses on product and ad innovation.

But expect a media release within the next few weeks summarising what viewers can expect to see in 2025.

On Monday, TVNZ will launch a publicity campaign for its new FAST channels and this may include details of next year’s line-up.

Recently the broadcaster quizzed members of its Greenroom focus group about monetising options, including a paid streaming service.

TVNZ wouldn’t provide a copy of the survey but said it covered:

• the streaming services members use
• the frequency they use them in
• the paid streaming services they use
• why they opt for certain paid services as well as what they look for in paid services.

“TVNZ+’s free ad-lite model will always be a core part of our offering as required by the TVNZ Act,” the spokeswoman says.

“We are looking at different paid models that could add to this offering to reduce TVNZ’s dependence on ad revenue as we move towards a fully digitally delivered future.”