A group of influential grey power elites want a fully-funded public telly channel. One that would be advertising free and run quality programmes like "Close to Home" and "McPhail and Gadsby."
The group is led by former broadcaster Ian Johnstone.
There was a feeling of regret at the loss of such programmes as Close to Home, McPhail & Gadsby, Gallery and scores of other local programmes.
"I realise we are a bunch of old men and women saying it used to be better. But it was," Mr Johnstone said.
I'd rather watch the ads over that line-up.
Another signatory, Sir Douglas Graham, said the hours might be up, but quality was down.
New Zealand television seemed "designed for the lowest common denominator" and the news was too focused on crime and court stories.
TV designed for the great unwashed, the masses. Horrors!
Author Dame Fiona Kidman said public broadcasting "is an act of service to the viewers in this country" and should fund relevant programmes.
"A lot of the content now is cheap and easy. Quality drama requires quite a commitment of funding, and if everything is a commercial imperative to make money to keep the Crown-owned company afloat, it makes it much more difficult."
Somebody who knows what "quality" is wants to put their hand even deeper into your pocket.
National's state-owned enterprises spokeswoman, Katherine Rich, said New Zealand could not continue to look backwards to the "television experience" of the 1970s when there was first one channel, and then two.
"People are getting their media fix from a wide range of sources, not just Television One. It is unfair to burden a state broadcaster with meeting the needs of everyone."
It is unfair to burden the taxpayer with meeting the needs of a few. Which is exactly what these highbrows want.
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2 comments:
What binds this little clique together? Have they been kicking this around in their tea parties and at their croquet matches?
There's some kind of elitist geriatric informal network showing itself here. To me that's as interesting as the story of their conceit!
There is no fool like an old fool. Haven't they heard of DVD? Of course they have. They can pop down to the DVD store and rent or buy "quality" shows. The real issue isn't the lack of quality but in getting someone else to pay for it.
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