A couple of months ago there was major controversy in New Zealand after it was announced that Campbell Live was being reviewed. Whenever someone says something is up for review you know instantly that it is going to be axed. Fans formed a union in their masses to support host John Campbell who had been with Mediaworks for 24 years and worked his way up within the company.
After six weeks of campaigning it came to a head and John Campbell decided to resign before the final decision was announced. Following his decision it was revealed that the show was going to be cut to four nights with another co host joining him.
Obviously that couldn't happen so Mediaworks management communicated with the public that they would be searching for new hosts to replace Campbell.
Two weeks ago it was reported that RadioLive talkback host Duncan Garner and TVNZ political reporter and Herald on Sunday columnist Heather Du Plessis Allan on a new show to air at 7pm Monday - Thursday in place of Campbell Live, Story.
The reaction to the appointments has been mixed with some still wanting John Campbell on TV3, however times change and media changes. Forgetting that John Campbell came to speak to one of my journalism classes in year two at the University of Auckland, (which Duncan Garner did at the Auckland University of Technology - a private lecture out of class hours) the time was right for him to move on. Up until his last six weeks the show was becoming stale with him obsessing about particular stories and with fluff stories at the end of the shows. The quality just wasn't there so it's no wonder the ratings dipped from around 300,000 a night to just over 100,000. That was not sustainable for advertisers who want to get bang for their buck.
Choosing Duncan Garner and Heather du Plessis Allan to host the new program is the right choice for Mediaworks. Garner has a strong history in political journalism, as does du Plessis Allan. Together they'll be a great mix. Unlike on TV One, with the exception of Nadine Chalmers Ross and Pippa Wetzell, TV One has a poor record with picking women to go with the strong male hosts like Mike Hosking. It seems as if TV3 management has finally struck the right balance between a strong male and a strong female. The woman will no longer play second fiddle or the supporting act and this is good to see.
A review of the first show will be written once it has aired but I'm feeling pretty confident that Duncan Garner and Heather du Plessis Allan are the right fit. It has been a long time coming for the two.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.