Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Campbell Live: A Disturbance in the Force

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  • Helga,

    The one piece of cheer in that article is 0/10 for Banks

    New Zealand • Since May 2012 • 18 posts Report Reply

  • WaterDragon,

    Like so many others I am gutted at the demise of Campbell Live from the TV3 chanel. It coincides with my departure from watching anything on TV3. The successive emasculation of our public media by assorted tosspots is something that I can live without. As for Mike Hoskings, pfft!

    Behind you • Since Jul 2011 • 79 posts Report Reply

  • Alastair Thompson,

    Very well said Russell.

    Remember also that the day after John Drinnan unofficially announced the original axing Tim Murphy announced his resignation too.

    And that today on the day that Campbell Live ends 186 Fairfax editorial staff have been told they have to apply for their own jobs.

    For both the media and public #NewsApocalypse is very much now a thing. I like that Te Waha Nui has posted a piece about the Listener music critic fiasco too. The fight back has begun.

    Al

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 220 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    I'm going to abuse this space with my two celebrity sightings of JC.

    First was one morning after I'd dropped the car off for a service and was riding up the hill past TV3. It was a beautiful day and I was just enjoying the freedom of riding. Mr Campbell was walking down the footpath and congratulated me for doing so well riding up that steep hill - I just wish I'd been brave enough to stop and chat - I also wish he'd pointed out I'd left my helmet in the car, 10 minutes later I was riding up that hill a second time with my helmet on, a little less energetically.

    Second was a few weeks ago after the news of the review had come out, he was having dinner at Cocoro with friends. He may not have the job we appreciate him for any more but I'm betting he will have many friends around him with which to have more dinners.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to Alastair Thompson,

    I like that Te Waha Nui has posted a piece about the Listener music critic fiasco too.

    Thanks for that Alastair -- here's the story you reference.

    I can almost understand Julie Christie's 'Let them eat crap' logic. Her contribution to local television over the years has always been lowbrow and she probably doesn't know any better. But quality journalism is in trouble when the Listener starts dumbing itself down.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Michael Meyers,

    I feel like TV3 is a little hamstrung by the inertia of the viewing public. It's now more than 25 years since they started broadcasting and the ratings for their evening news show are still much lower than for TV1, even though I consider 3 News to be a much better product.

    I expect there are many people out there who have always watched TV1 and always will. Even if they were to put a trained monkey up on screen. Campbell Live would always suffer from that since low ratings for the news will lead to low rating for Campbell Live.

    In my opinion, they have tried a lot of things over the years but they have always only been a minor player compared to TVNZ.

    But now, on to Campbell Live....

    Overall, I'm a little concerned about the future of the current affairs group within TV3, going forward. The Paul Henry experiment sees to have been a disaster ratings-wise. I'm surprised that he keeps showing up on screen. For that to be given the green light and Campbell Live to be canned really makes me wonder if anyone within TV3 knows what they are doing.

    I also wonder about the morale within TV3. What are the other reporters thinking? John Campbell is an institution within TV3 and he is obviously going to be missed by many (as shown by Hilary Barry tearing up live when announcing the demise of the show the other week).

    To me, this tweet is rather cutting, showing a picture of John Campbell pasted over the Batchelor's face. Current affairs or reality TV? https://twitter.com/conorwhittentv/status/604094006629257216

    The talent that TV3 has developed as part of Campbell Live doesn't just appear overnight. They are trained and moulded over years. Along with John Campbell, how many others are going to just walk away from TV3 in the next few months?

    Wellington • Since May 2014 • 56 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Michael Meyers,

    The Paul Henry experiment sees to have been a disaster ratings-wise. I’m surprised that he keeps showing up on screen.

    Gross...but I liken Paul Henry to a dose of herpes....

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • Amanda Wreckonwith, in reply to Alfie,

    But quality journalism is in trouble when the Listener starts dumbing itself down.

    Quality journalism? I buy it for advice on the latest fad diet, the newest 'likely' cancer cure/cause, and to see what I could be watching if only I had taken out a Sky subscription.

    Actually, I don't buy it - I browse through it at New World and take photos of any Lorraine Jacobs recipe that takes my fancy.

    Guess I'm part of the 'problem'...

    Since Sep 2012 • 171 posts Report Reply

  • Amanda Wreckonwith, in reply to Michael Meyers,

    Along with John Campbell, how many others are going to just walk away from TV3 in the next few months?

    And go where?

    Since Sep 2012 • 171 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Michael Meyers,

    Along with John Campbell, how many others are going to just walk away from TV3 in the next few months?

    They are all between a rock and a hard place. With digital transition comes fewer jobs and many at both TVNZ or 3 are clinging to their jobs whilst they still have one. If another job emerges elsewhere, there may be an exit but to leave without is financial insecurity also and welfare benefits aren't what they used to be as well we know,plus some TV jobs are becoming redundant.There will be no replacement as witnessed with Fairfax. That or try reinventing oneself every contract renewal. Look how many places Media Take (and it's earlier named programmes) has moved to. I'm starting to think PRIME is the safest Channel.
    I think TV3 believe that Julie Christie is the bees knees because of her success with her crap TV ex- production Co. With that comes her power at the top so now it will only be programs she understands, her stuff, her friends stuff . Weldon, well as this old NBR article states, seems to do whatever he wants. The comments on the article seem quite informative as well as to his popularity. So 2 people at the top who are self absorbed with the ability to hire and fire and with Weldon ,PM friendly. It also suggests to me the old boys network is alive and well.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Amanda Wreckonwith,

    And go where?

    Simple.

    Don't watch telly.

    I've not watched more than an hour of telly in the last year.

    Maybe two hours in the past 18 months.

    Don't miss it.

    However....the Young People are reorganising the household's internet service and when the transition is complete I intend to watch previous episodes of Brown Eye and Media Take.

    The only programmes the YP watch....

    We may watch CL tonight, to boost the ratings, just to annoy MW.

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • izogi, in reply to Michael Meyers,

    It’s now more than 25 years since they started broadcasting and the ratings for their evening news show are still much lower than for TV1, even though I consider 3 News to be a much better product. I expect there are many people out there who have always watched TV1 and always will.

    Surely if anyone at TVNZ could spot a good thing, they’d be at least considering being the hero and poaching him, get him to bring as much talent with him as they can, give him some flexibility and then try to stomp all over TV3 with TV1’s pre-existing viewership, maybe chiming in at 6.30 if not 7. Or at least see how it goes for a time.

    I’m struggling to see it actually happening, though.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Rosemary McDonald,

    And go where?

    Simple.

    Don’t watch telly.

    You missed the point, Amanda was asking where would the journalists who left TV3 go.

    This is a perennial problem with jobs in New Zealand, particularly in specialised fields. There really are only a few employers for talented journalists/camera operators/editors. This means those employers have tremendous power over those staff. Don't like being told to report on silly puff pieces about the PM and told to ignore corruption on high ... then go find another job ... oh there isn't one in NZ ... guess you'll do whatever the boss says then and be grat5eful you still have a job.

    So folks are faced with leaving NZ or working under conditions that most normal people would consider intolerable.

    It's the other end of the same scale that CampbellLive itself reported on, people at the bottom with no option but to take on more hours at minimum wage and employers with all the power.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace, in reply to izogi,

    I agree. Seems logical that someone who has the pulling power of 300,000 viewers nightly and considerable personal loyalty would be an attractive brand for some commercial outfit, which is what TVNZ is now. I'm sure sponsors would line up too.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to izogi,

    I’m struggling to see it actually happening, though.

    It would be a supreme irony to have 7-sharp replaced by John Campbell.

    But that would require someone at TVNZ to admit they got it wrong with Hosking.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    But that would require someone at TVNZ to admit they got it wrong with Hosking.

    With the ratings 7 Sharp has (which is what Christie et al wants) and the value and sway a 5 year old viewer seems to register, TVNZ wont comit Hara-Kiri. TVNZ ratings says to Kevin Kenrick, "For Me, we beat 3". Those at TVNZ who may dislike the arrogant twerp on 7 Sharp, have no say in his or the shows demise unfortunately. Yep the diet for kids on TV is hypocrisy hubris and Hosking. TV3 have Crims, Cops and the need for speed. Advice tips for your children to go off to bed and dream about.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Roger Lacey,

    I'd still love to know more about the "people meter". I imagine it as some 1960's contraption connected to a socket in the wall that leads back to a ticker-tape machine in a dusty basement.
    Whatever it is I'm sure that some boffin at TVNZ has hacked it to provide Seven Sharp with its current ratings or maybe one of the qualifying questions to get one is, "Do you watch Seven Sharp?"

    Whatakataka Bay Surf Club… • Since Apr 2008 • 148 posts Report Reply

  • Roger Lacey,

    BTW John Campbell, if you're reading this. Go you good thing!

    Whatakataka Bay Surf Club… • Since Apr 2008 • 148 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    As an aside, I want Campbell Live to live on and wish we had a charter that allows TV to flourish in Public TV like the BBC. As I suspect is usual, NZers will venture out and find alternative viewing pleasure and stick it to TV3 when available (or at least I already have).I emailed Weldon to voice my displeasure, signed petitions sponsored Action Station, I said they lost me whether they cared or not. Collectively ,it feels strong but individually, the dickheads won by predetermined opinion. Turning the switch off was delayed long enough to encourage apathy, which didn't work. Telling CL they had time to get a replacement in place was another lie. The Mazda sponsorship was the writing on the wall way back. Keep voicing displeasure whenever the chance occurs peeps. JC deserves that and his departure should not be in vain. NZ has been enlightened one more time. That I give thanks to .The more this collective voice can occur ,the better we are.People will wake up one day and lament this passing and then we can expect they treat all of us as equal.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Roger Lacey,

    Peoplemeter technology was introduced in the mid-80s when I was working in TV audience research, to replace the weekly diary system (which had their flaws but had the big advantage that it was a different set of viewers reporting on their viewing each week). PM are now the international norm, operated by Nielsen New Zealand at a cost of around $5m annually. According to Nielsen, they report on (through self-reportage) 'presence in a room where a TV set is on (which MAY have some relationship to what we understand what 'watching television' might be). PM households (600 in NZ) agree to have such devices in their home, and agree to press buttons on a handset, to indicate when they begin and end viewing (but presumably not when they are asleep, go out of the room, are ignoring the screen etc). They cannot register the use of the mute button nor report what programmes have been time-shifted (0nly hours/minutes). There are numerous other problems eg the assumption that everyone has autonomy in viewing choices, statistical invalidity in respect of age groupings, under-representation of non-home owning viewers and ethnic groups. But the greatest flaw is that they equate quantitative measurement with qualitative assessment ie the assumption that because we are watching a particular programme, we must be enjoying it--and presumably responding positively to associated TVCs (there is research evidence which suggests that if people hate what they are watching, they will also hate the ads).

    Bettina Hollings, who was one of the smartest programmers TV3 ever employed, once famously declared, 'Ratings are a myth we all believe in'. In this respect, I translate 'myth' as 'false belief'.

    So, we should all watch Campbell Live tonight but, in the end, nothing will register unless those bloody PM household watch it too,

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • artig,

    Meanwhile we get this load of bile from the owner/editor of our local freebie weekly paper, the Weekend Sun/Sunlive.

    I don't usually bother to read his 'editorials' but just happened to notice that today's one was mostly about the demise of Campbell Live.

    Sad to see that the program ends tonight. I've watched all or part of the program ever since day 1, following on from watching 3 News. In future the TV will be switched off at 7pm instead.

    BoP • Since Oct 2010 • 41 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Amanda Wreckonwith,

    And go where?

    Non-tv operators like Spark might be considering their own local content online...

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Tonight I'm going to try and record the on-demand stream of the final Campbell Live broadcast for posterity.

    As for Hosking and all the other usual suspects, we can't just wait for him to go 'cheeky darkie' or 'Sheila Dikshit', so we need to set some kind of trap for him that'll have the advertisers pull the rug from under him. Any ideas? A boycott can only go so far.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    You missed the point, Amanda was asking where would the journalists who left TV3 go.

    No, I was kinda saying that I really don't care...not having watched telly in ages.

    Why? Because even the news (on any channel) had become trite, drivelly dross.

    Unbearably trivialised stories delivered by plastic people. The pain alleviated only by the ad breaks....which provided an excuse to mute and go back to my book.

    Be strong people.

    Campbell may be leaving your television screens, but there are alternatives...

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • JP Hansen,

    In an amusing piece of synergy, former Listener music writer, Nick Bollinger's kids are 2/3s of the White Man Behind a Desk team.

    Click on "See More" on the Facebook profile "about" section's Long Description...

    Waitakere • Since Nov 2006 • 206 posts Report Reply

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