TVNZ has proposed outsourcing significant parts of its daily operations and the closure of the 1News website and app.
Chief executive Jodi O’Donnell made the “strategic change” proposals to staff today, with meetings taking place across the business.
TVNZ has stressed that it does not include specific role reductions with these proposals, but if carried out, the plans would lead to major restructuring.
The Crown-owned company, which is commercially rather than taxpayer funded, is attempting to plug a $30 million hole in revenue.
A spokesperson for TVNZ said the company “today shared proposed strategic changes focused on how we might achieve our $30m target, deliver on our Digital+ strategy and ensure the business remains sustainable and relevant for all New Zealanders”.
According to the company’s statement, the major proposed changes include:
- Scrapping the 1News website and app in February 2025, and focus Re: News solely on video storytelling
- “Consolidating some business areas to align” with TVNZ’s strategy
- Outsourcing “some areas” across TVNZ’s content workflows and technology (in FY26)
- Changes to “some” roster patterns
- Creating a “centre for excellence for data, analytics and Al”
- Begin a new team for News on TVNZ+ and “establishing a new, dedicated team for this function”
- Creating a “Creative Hub”
The TVNZ spokesperson continued: “We are now seeking feedback on the proposals, and we will not be making any decisions until after we have considered all the feedback from our people.”
A precipitous drop in advertising revenue has created a major budget deficit for the media company in the past 12 months, which has already slashed spending.
In May, TVNZ axed long-running and celebrated current affairs programmes Fair Go and Sunday. It also axed roles from Re: News and other parts of its business.
1News requested an interview with the chief executive following today’s announcement, but was told that would not happen until final decisions are made.
