The government will tomorrow confirm its plans for RNZ, TVNZ and the creation of new public media entity.
Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
It is understood the two companies will be dis-established to operate under one big new organisation with a public service mandate, but there will be a lengthy transition period through which the broadcasting operations of both would continue.
It would operate under a charter; it would have the ability to raise some revenue through commercial operations, but commercial-free aspects, particularly for RNZ, would be protected - a "mixed funding" model that's been discussed throughout. It is likely to operate on a not-for-profit basis which would mean TVNZ would not have to pay the government a dividend, so any profits could be reinvested.
Labour first announced intentions to boost public broadcasting through 'RNZ Plus' at the 2017 election, but since then the proposal has gone through several iterations.
The final decision went through Cabinet a few weeks ago and an announcement from Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi is expected tomorrow.
A timetable laid out by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage shows an establishment board would first have to be created, legislation - including the charter - drafted and passed by the end of the year, and the new entity in place by the middle of next year.
If it goes ahead, it would be the biggest shake-up of public media in at least 30 years. Faafoi had planned to take a proposal to Cabinet before the end of last year but that was delayed amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Working group member Tracey Martin, a former NZ First Minister, told RNZ last June the model they were leaning towards was one that retained the RNZ and TVNZ brands under a single overarching entity.
"It has to have a mixed funding model - some Crown, some non-Crown funding - what is commercially free at the moment needs to remain commercially free," she said at the time.
She said trust in RNZ and TVNZ remained high so it would not make sense to do away with the brands, but a new funding and legislative model was needed because of changes in the media ecosystem both domestically and internationally.
"RNZ and TVNZ come in, they're trusted brands, they'd come in underneath the single entity that Cabinet has mandated we have ... but then the entity also has the opportunity to flex and innovate," she said.
TVNZ meanwhile is under fresh new leadership, with former National Party Cabinet minister Simon Power stepping in as chief executive following the departure of Kevin Kenrick after nine years.
