Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Moving on

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  • Chip Matthews,

    Thank you to you, and all involved with Media7->3. It really has been appreciated. Look forward to whatever comes up next. Cher da fams.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Warren Clark,

    I don't suppose you considered an online only option ?

    In the Lower Hutt. • Since Nov 2006 • 14 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Cameron,

    Very, very sorry to hear that. One of the few shows this member of the youth demographic made time for.

    Christchurch • Since May 2013 • 15 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    I'm sorry to hear this, and I'm sure you're being quite diplomatic about what must be a trying process. I hope very good things come out of the skills and experience you and your team have demonstrated.

    There's a very strong case for public broadcasting. A half hour about people painting and hammering suburban houses might suit advertisers, but when that's the only thing that's being paid for and produced we have a problem.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to George Darroch,

    There’s a very strong case for public broadcasting. A half hour about people painting and hammering suburban houses might suit advertisers, but when that’s the only thing that’s being paid for and produced we have a problem.

    Yes, I think that’s precisely the problem. The fix for that is a public broadcaster.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • HORansome,

    That's very sad, and I'm not just saying that because I was relying on more guest appearances to fuel my rampant ego.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Meanwhile, Jose and Will are busy at work on a documentary about censorship, so you can look forward to that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Damian Christie,

    Sorry to hear that Russell, but yes, the sort of run you (and we at BB) have had is nothing to sneeze at. Television years make dog years look pathetic. :)

    On to bigger and better things. Beer soon :)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report Reply

  • Martin Brown,

    Shame. But couldn't it just live on digital?

    Auckland • Since Mar 2013 • 137 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Bell, in reply to HORansome,

    Damn! Same.

    Wellington, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 175 posts Report Reply

  • Kebabette,

    A big Kia ora and thanks for making it happen. Lycidas, for y'all:
    "At last he rose, and twitch'd his Mantle blew:
    To morrow to fresh Woods, and Pastures new."

    Christchurch • Since Feb 2007 • 221 posts Report Reply

  • Ken Double,

    Well turds. We're stuffed now for any vaguely intelligent media criticism and analysis on television aren't we? I loved Media 7/3. Of all things it reminded me of good old Brian Priestley on Fourth Estate. Sophisticates laugh at telly but it enforces a bit of structure and concision and discipline and gravitas outside the online clusterfuck.

    I blame the switch to those blue boxes and the library music of the future. If you'd stuck with the psychedelic green stripes and Disasteradio you wouldn't be in this mess I tell you.

    Condolences to all concerned. "Gutted", as they say on the sidelines.

    Wellington • Since Dec 2012 • 119 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Bennett,

    Very sorry to hear this, Russell. Media3, and before that Media7, have pretty much been the only appointment-viewing programmes on free-to-air TV in our household.

    Looking forward to whatever you find yourself doing next!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 174 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Pity to hear of this. Still, a phoenix can rise from the ashes...

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

  • Myles Thomas,

    Funding and where to screen it? Couldn't NZ on Air fund an online version?

    Auckland • Since Apr 2011 • 130 posts Report Reply

  • Myles Thomas,

    It just shows why TVNZ 7 was so important. I wonder which show had the most viewers, Media 7 or Media 3?

    Auckland • Since Apr 2011 • 130 posts Report Reply

  • Damian Christie, in reply to Martin Brown,

    To those suggesting digital/online as an option, it's really not, not yet and not with our small population.

    Which is not to say Russell couldn't interview some media types each week and post it online, but to get something even vaguely close to the relatively low budget of Media 3 takes thousands, and more likely tens of, each week. Below that you start looking like Bomber and/or Perigo's efforts at televisual self-publishing, and to be blunt, why would you?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report Reply

  • Megan Wegan,

    I am also really sorry to hear this, for everyone involved. I'll miss you guys.

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report Reply

  • Samuel Scott,

    How did it rate online? I always watched it on-demand.

    South Wellington • Since Feb 2008 • 315 posts Report Reply

  • Myles Thomas, in reply to Damian Christie,

    True. But if NZ on Air really want to find more of this type of programme, perhaps they need to invest in an outlet also.

    It's a shame NZOA missed the chance to foster existing outlets such as Stratos/Triangle. And they continue to give a pittance to regional broadcasters. When you look at the standards on these channels, yes it's poor and very off-putting but with a little professional development these channels could take off, or could have.

    It's also a shame the Cabinet in 2011 were convinced to sink the Charter money into NZOA's Platinum Fund instead of TVNZ 7. The Platinum Fund is funding what NZOA should be funding from the main pot. With the Platinum Fund taking care of the high-brow niche that main pot is being used increasingly to fund commercial telly.

    Meanwhile the channels are disappearing and NZOA wring their hands saying "there's nothing we can do". Not true. If NZOA genuinely want to see the parts of NZ that don't rate on air they need to re-evaluate their funding policies and swiftly.

    Of course hindsight is a great thing but it's pretty clear where everything is headed. Expect children's TV (which doesn't rate) to be the next to go.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2011 • 130 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Damian Christie,

    Which is not to say Russell couldn't interview some media types each week and post it online, but to get something even vaguely close to the relatively low budget of Media 3 takes thousands, and more likely tens of, each week.

    Yep. We got production costs way down, but if you want to make a professional show, you need to pay people for their work. We did investigate commercial sponsorship and very much got a fair hearing from the company we talked to, but it's a big ask.

    And the fact is, online audiences are still a fraction of TV audiences. In a way, the fact that you don't need to fill Eden Park every week (which is how I think about it in my head) makes web video more fun. I would not be surprised if I was to do some of that next year.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Myles Thomas,

    It’s a shame NZOA missed the chance to foster existing outlets such as Stratos/Triangle.

    I gather there's a funding eligibility review pending -- eligibility for channels, that is -- which might make some difference. But NZ On Air has to work with the system it has.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Russell Brown,

    And the fact is, online audiences are still a fraction of TV audiences.

    And it’ll remain that way for as long as NZ’s broadband infrastructure remains cartellised. D:< In that context, I’ve become increasingly fascinated with the French word dirigisme.

    But NZ On Air has to work with the system it has.

    At the last Save TVNZ7 meeting in Welly, various funding mechanisms were mooted. Bringing back the old licence fee was unworkable, and a tip-jar model wouldn’t have enough people coming to the party. So the panel instead came up with a levy on broadcasters and ISPs, which Minister Coleman quickly shot down.

    Is there any funding mechanism that isn’t at the whim of the electoral cycle? It could take a Royal Commission to find out, but Clare Curran, who was at the meeting, told me that it would only be warranted in the event of a Hackgate-level fiasco, which NZ hasn't come close to yet.

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

  • wendyf,

    Mourning quietly. But, as the photo display downtown says - "Thx 4 the memories."

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 88 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I'd really like to emphasise that one of the joys of doing the show has been the regular audience at the recordings. It's been a village.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

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