TV3 (New Zealand)

TV3, on air since November 26, 1989, is a commercial broadcaster in New Zealand owned by Canada's CanWest, which bought the station after it went bankrupt as an independent station. The station also operates the CanWest-owned C4 music channel and satellite real estate network Property TV.

Related Topics:
November 26 - 1989 - New Zealand - Canada - CanWest - C4 - Property TV

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It was New Zealand's first network that was not controlled by the government. Early in TV3's life, financial supporters of the network included The Walt Disney Company and NBC.

Related Topics:
The Walt Disney Company - NBC

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Its first broadcast was a two-hour special previewing the network's programmes and featuring comedians David McPhail and Jon Gadsby playing cameramen. The TV3 slogan proclaimed, 'Come home to the feeling.'

Related Topics:
David McPhail - Jon Gadsby - Cameramen

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With hindsight, much of TV3's initial failure stemmed from trying to be everything to everyone, attempting to match the state broadcaster show-for-show, rather than finding niche areas where it could flourish. High hopes were placed on domestically produced TV shows such as The Billy T. James Show, Issues, and Letter to Blanchy (only the pilot was aired at first, though subsequent episodes were made). TV3 news anchorwoman Joanna Paul was one of the highest paid in the country at the time. It became apparent that the broad schedule meant that TV3 had used up its programmes too quickly. The state broadcaster, Television New Zealand, had been ready to take on the challenge.

Related Topics:
Billy T. James - Issues - Letter to Blanchy - Joanna Paul - Television New Zealand

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One early triumph was TV3's free-to-air coverage of the Gulf War, which was regarded as superior to that sourced by the state broadcaster on TV One.

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Eventually, TV3's success came from defining itself through its flagship news programmes, its domestically produced current affairs' programmes, and its entertainment programming.

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Today, key programming includes the American shows Boston Legal, 24, ', Charmed, ', Law & Order, ', ', ', Survivor, Malcolm in the Middle, Medium, That '70s Show, The Simpsons and Will & Grace. Also offered are Australian shows such as Kath & Kim and Rove Live. Locally produced shows such as Outrageous Fortune, Bro'Town, and Sing Like A Superstar fill the gaps.

Related Topics:
American - Boston Legal - 24 - Charmed - Law & Order - Survivor - Malcolm in the Middle - Medium - That '70s Show - The Simpsons - Will & Grace - Kath & Kim - Rove Live - Outrageous Fortune - Bro'Town - Sing Like A Superstar

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TV3 also offers exclusive free-to-air Rugby Union coverage.

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TV3 has a long term agreement with Fox Broadcasting Company to purchase network programming, and that agreement has been supplemented by others with Universal, CBS and Alliance Atlantis.

Related Topics:
Fox Broadcasting Company - Universal - CBS - Alliance Atlantis

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Every weekday evening at 6.00pm, TV3 screens an hour-long news bulletin known as 3 News with a strong emphasis on sports coverage. For 7 years, this was presented by John Campbell and Carol Hirschfeld. However, since February 21, 2005 3 News has been presented by Mike McRoberts and Hilary Barry while John and Carol moved to produce and present a 7.00pm current events program, Campbell Live.

Related Topics:
3 News - John Campbell - Carol Hirschfeld - February 21 - 2005 - Mike McRoberts - Hilary Barry - Campbell Live

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The late bulletin, Nightline with Carly Kirkwood, is one of the most-watched in its timeslot and has an emphasis on the arts, while providing an updated version of the day's top news.

Related Topics:
Nightline - Carly Kirkwood

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The current Australian-designed TV3 logo, only its second since launch, is three squares with a silver fern placed across the first two squares and the number '3' written in the final square.

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