TVNZ will axe its 1News website from early next year, according to a proposal released to staff today.

The broadcaster, in an effort to hit a $30m savings target, has also told staff it proposes to:

• Consolidate some business areas to align with its strategy
• Outsource some areas across TVNZ’s content workflows and technology (in FY26)
• Investing in News on TVNZ+ and establishing a new, dedicated team for this function
• Change some roster patterns
• Create a centre for excellence for data, analytics and AI
• Create a Creative Hub

This morning, the Herald reported that staff at TVNZ were again in consultation with their employer, with today marking the beginning of a new two-week process where workers can have their say on a strategic plan as the broadcaster seeks to find $30m in savings and revenue growth.

This will be followed by another two-week consultation on a structure change proposal, Media Insider was told.

It’s understood today’s internal meetings will begin from 1pm. Chief executive Jodi O’Donnell will address the company as a whole, before head of news and current affairs Phil O’Sullivan does the same for the newsroom.

The TVNZ digital team is believed to be having its own meeting.

Media Insider has been told people are feeling sad today at TVNZ and there is a heavy atmosphere.

“They know it’s bad news and they’re finding out exactly how bad,” a former staffer said.

Media Insider understands a 10.1.1 process, which is the clause in the E Tū union agreement that was also at the centre of TVNZ’s failed Employment Court appeal this year, was just completed by the broadcaster.

That clause states TVNZ will support the active participation of staff in the development of the organisation and changes in workplace practices.

The latest 10.1.1 process focused on trying to find ways to do more with the same staffing resources, Media Insider was told.

A TVNZ spokesperson told Media Insider the broadcaster’s consultation is focused on how it might achieve its $30m target and deliver its Digital+ strategy.

“Proposals relating to individual roles are not part of this consultation. Our priority is to share proposals with our people first. We will not be commenting further at this stage.”

Media Insider reported last week the company seems set to move away from its news websites – 1news.co.nz and youth-focused renews.co.nz – and place more focus on digital news for streaming platform TVNZ+.

There may also be questions about whether TVNZ needs to continue to operate three traditional broadcast channels (TVNZ1, TVNZ2 and Duke).

Just about every area of the business will be under the spotlight with staff numbers – which have dropped by more than 130 to a total of about 600 during the past 18 months – to be reduced further by the end of the year.

“There’s just a sense of anxiety and sadness about the industry as a whole,” one staff member said last week.

The changes come as TVNZ embarks on a five-year digital-first transformation, while also addressing the existing tough economic conditions affecting the media sector.

This week’s proposed strategic changes are the first stage of a two-stage plan to find the targeted $30m.

An earlier internal email from O’Donnell highlighted eight potential areas for change, including consolidating teams, outsourcing and looking at content and websites “that aren’t profitable”.

The Herald understands 1news.co.nz and renews.co.nz might be deprioritised – or one or both potentially scrapped altogether – with an all-in focus on news for TVNZ+.

Once the broadcaster consults on its proposed changes, receives feedback and decides which initiatives it has confirmed, it will unveil proposed structural changes as part of a second stage. That is when proposed job cuts are likely.

According to its annual report, TVNZ has 601 fulltime-equivalent employees (FTEs), down from 735 in 2023 and 737 in 2022.

After a somewhat botched consultation process over the closure of Fair Go and Sunday and other cuts this year, TVNZ is moving extremely carefully, with effectively two consultation periods.

While its remaining TV news programmes – including Breakfast, 1News at Six, Seven Sharp and Q+A – are believed to be safe, staffing on those shows and other local programming might be in the spotlight.

- NZ Herald