TVNZ has today unveiled its line-up for 2016, continuing its strong focus on local content matched with some of the best of what’s available from around the world.
Leading the local slate is the new multi-night drama series Filthy Rich; spectacular Sir Edmund Hillary drama series Hillary; and gritty new drama Dirty Laundry. Other highlights include local versions of Coast New Zealand and the iconic Mastermind series, as well as new factual series The New Zealand Home and The Big Ward.
The international slate includes the hotly anticipated contemporary reboot of The Muppets; new medical drama Code Black; chilling dramas Blindspot and The Catch; and action-packed series Rush Hour, The Player and Supergirl.
TVNZ’s CEO Kevin Kenrick says success for TVNZ starts with delivering what viewers want.
“Our business model is underpinned by viewers. We know that producing, commissioning and acquiring the best local and global content is what New Zealand viewers demand, so that’s what we’ll continue to deliver in 2016.
“Viewers can expect more from our market leading news and current affairs teams, intrigue from the likes of Kiwi-made Filthy Rich, and then there’s The Muppets…who doesn’t like The Muppets?” says Kenrick.
TVNZ’s Director of Content Jeff Latch says the company has a history of leading in terms of local content and 2016 will be no different.
“Our local content strategy is something we are very proud of, we prioritise our news and current affairs offerings and invest heavily in a range of key drama, entertainment and factual projects.
“In 2016 you will see us diversify further with our first ever locally produced multi-night drama Filthy Rich. Multi-night has traditionally been reality-only territory and we think Kiwi audiences will be open to something new on this front – the show is also outrageously good!” says Latch.
TVNZ will screen more than 2,000 hours of local content in 2016 representing an investment of close to $100 million.
Returning local favourites in 2016 include a second season of property reality series Our First Home; the return of New Zealand’s most watched programme, Shortland Street; and further seasons of NZ On Air funded series: Nigel Latta, I Am Innocent, Police Ten 7, Country Calendar’s 50th anniversary and another Sunday Theatre series.
TVNZ’s News and Current Affairs programmes continue to be a driving force, both on-air and online. In the last few months ONE News has delivered close to three times the audience of its nearest competitor; Seven Sharp up to twice the audience; Breakfast more than three times the audience and Sunday a larger audience than all its competitors combined.
Digital offering ONE News Now also launched in July with streams experiencing 185% year on year growth since launch.
Latch says TVNZ’s preferred partnership agreements with market leading global studios continue to provide access to most of the best global content available.
These deals will also see the return of hugely popular series such as The Big Bang Theory, How To Get Away With Murder, Broadchurch, Happy Valley, Wentworth, and a top range of blockbuster movies on TV2.
Now with more than 750,000 registered users, TVNZ OnDemand will continue to premiere and fast-track shows out of the USA as well as exclusive weekly sports programming.
“We know a whole bunch of Kiwis don’t want to wait to see their favourite shows out of the States and that they also don’t want to become pirates – so in 2016 we will continue to premiere through TVONE, TV2 and TVNZ OnDemand, says Latch.
In the world of Freeview and sport, Latch says viewers can also expect more.
“TVNZ pop-up on Freeview channel 13 is our new home of sport. Just last week we acquired the free-to-air rights to AFL games – this is something you can expect more of.”
TVNZ’s New Season titles:
TV ONE:
Coast New Zealand
Hillary
800 Words
Code Black
The Player
The New Zealand Home
Blindspot
Mastermind
Dirty Laundry
The Family
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
Lucifer
Wicked City
Blood & Oil
Inconceivable
The Hard Stuff With Nigel Latta
I Am Innocent
Broadchurch
Happy Valley
MasterChef Australia
Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Country Calendar 50th anniversary
The DNA Detectives
Our First Home
Sunday Theatre series: Jean; Living In Hope; Bombshell; The Possession Of Janet Moses
A Place To Call Home
TV2:
Filthy Rich
Shortland Street
The Muppets
Supergirl
The Big Ward
Rush Hour
The Cul de Sac
Terry Teo
My Kitchen Rules NZ
The Catch
Containment
Quantico
Grandfathered
The Real O’Neals
Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris
Dr Ken
My Kitchen Rules Australia
Empire
The Big Bang Theory
2 Broke Girls
The Voice Australia
Take Me Out
The Undateables
The Middle
Police Ten 7
Barefoot Bandits
Black-ish
Mom
The Flash
Arrow
Wentworth
The Walking Dead
The Mysteries Of Laura
Wild Things
Neighbours
The Amazing Race
Gotham
Supernatural
The Vampire Diaries
TV2 Movies:
12 Years A Slave
The Amazing Spiderman 2
Austenland
Big Hero 6
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Delivery Man
Edge Of Tomorrow
Frozen
Gravity
Guardians Of The Galaxy
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Interview
Jack Reacher
Lady And The Tramp
The Lego Movie
The Lone Ranger
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
Maleficent
Monsters Vs Aliens
Monsters University
Muppets Most Wanted
Planes
Planes 2: Fire And Rescue
Pompeii
Saving Santa
Sex Tape
Someone Marry Barry
Star Trek: Into Darkness
The Wolf Of Wall Street
What We Do In The Shadows
World War Z
*Source: Nielsen TAM, Consolidated (Ratings include TV ONE plus 1 and share is based on TV ONE performance only).
YOY comparisons refer to AP 5+ Jan-Aug2015 vs Jan-Aug 2014.