And while there are plenty of potential names \u2013 including Stuff\u2019s Jenna Lynch and RNZ\u2019s Jo Moir \u2013 some of the possible contenders will be working on contracts with lengthy restraints of trade, in some cases up to three months. Add that to normal notice periods, and we\u2019re talking a post-election start date anyway.<\/p>\n
Stuff senior political correspondent Jenna Lynch is no stranger to TV, having been Newshub’s political editor, and also a regular face on Three News.<\/p>\n
As TVNZ keeps a close eye on costs, saving a potential annual salary of $200,000-plus for a further six months will be an attractive option.<\/p>\n
And another reason for the delay is that TVNZ is confident in what it calls a deep bench of journalists and broadcasters whom it can call upon to support those left in the parliamentary press gallery since Sherman\u2019s departure.<\/p>\n
TVNZ newsreader and Q+A host Jack Tame. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
That includes newsreader and Q+A host Jack Tame, Breakfast host Tova O\u2019Brien, Business Breakfast host Mei Heron and business editor Jason Walls.<\/p>\n
Both Tame and Walls have been fronting political stories in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have an update to share on the political editor role at this stage,\u201d a TVNZ spokeswoman said in a statement after Media Insider put it to the company that the appointment was now on hold until after the election.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re fortunate to have a strong team of journalists and presenters with deep political expertise, and we\u2019ll draw on that experience in the lead-up to the general election, as Jack Tame\u2019s presentation of our latest Verian Poll [last week] demonstrated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recruitment for TVNZ\u2019s news executive editor was underway, \u201cand we expect to announce an appointment soon\u201d.<\/p>\n
MediaWorks leader steps down following workplace inquiry<\/p>\n
One of MediaWorks\u2019 senior leaders has stepped down from his role and almost 40 years in the business to – according to a statement from the company\u2019s chief executive – \u201cpursue other opportunities\u201d.<\/p>\n
Media Insider reported earlier this year that the senior leader was working from home while an inquiry was underway into a workplace exchange involving another staff member.<\/a><\/p>\n The manager was understood to be defending his position, but he said at the time he could not comment.<\/p>\n \u201cI am employed by MediaWorks \u2013 I am working remotely at the moment. I am at home, on the tools and working. I would be happy to leave it there at this stage.\u201d<\/p>\n News tip? Feedback? Email in confidence – shayne.currie@nzme.co.nz<\/p>\n An advertising sales worker is understood to have made a complaint about the exchange.<\/p>\n That staff member earlier told Media Insider: \u201cI am working through things internally at the moment. I\u2019m really impressed with how everyone is working through this at the moment. I don\u2019t want to say anything until the process is followed through.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve known [the leader] for a long time, and I respect [them]. I would rather work through the process from a professional standpoint. I can\u2019t say anything, and I don\u2019t want to jeopardise anything.\u201d<\/p>\n As Media Insider reported at the time, there were hopes that the matter would be resolved amicably.<\/p>\n In a statement to MediaWorks clients on Thursday, chief executive Wendy Palmer said the manager had decided to step down. She thanked him \u201cfor his immense dedication and leadership over the past three decades and more\u201d.<\/p>\n He had played \u201ca pivotal role in shaping our regional strategy and supporting the development of our local brands such as More FM and The Breeze.\u201d<\/p>\n The manager thanked clients in the same message. \u201cIt has been an absolute privilege to work alongside so many valued clients, and I have truly appreciated the trust and collaboration we\u2019ve shared throughout my time … <\/p>\n \u201cThank you for being such an integral part of my journey; I wish you and your businesses every success for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Palmer and the manager have been approached for further comment.<\/p>\n Sky\u2019s sport\/entertainment battles<\/p>\n Sky Sport customers will likely face higher prices as the broadcaster battles for rights against a re-energised TVNZ, a leading analyst says.<\/p>\n Forsyth Barr analyst Ben Crozier believes Sky is in the box seat to fend off TVNZ, with a considerably bigger war chest for the likes of NRL rights, while also having most other season-long sports tied up for multiple years.<\/p>\n And while the battle for sports rights is heating up, Crozier believes Sky\u2019s bigger challenge is in entertainment, with the loss of HBO Max content from Sky\u2019s Neon streaming channel. <\/p>\n He is predicting Sky\u2019s Neon revenue in the 2028 financial year will be about 40% lower than in 2026. <\/p>\n Offsetting that will be the big savings that Sky has made in paying for HBO Max content. Media Insider understands this could be anywhere between $20m-$30m a year, although Sky has not previously commented on those numbers.<\/p>\n With Sky confronting these myriad challenges \u2013 not to mention a deflated free-to-air television advertising market \u2013 Crozier still rates Sky as an \u201coutperform\u201d share. <\/p>\n Sports rights<\/p>\n Sky TV is expected to announce to the market very soon – perhaps as early as today – that it has secured NRL and Warriors rights for another seven years, from the end of next year. <\/a><\/p>\n That contract will be part of a record new $A5.3 billion ($NZ6.4b) rights deal across Australia and New Zealand, with Foxtel and Nine sharing the rights across the Tasman.<\/p>\n As part of its share of the deal – and to snare exclusive rights in New Zealand – Sky TV is expected to be paying A$50m ($60m) a year between 2028 and 2034, a big increase on the current price.<\/p>\n \u201cSKT [Sky TV] has a meaningfully larger content budget and has nearly all key sports rights locked up for multi-year periods, giving it a dominant market position and strong pricing power to pass on content cost inflation,\u201d Crozier said in a research report released to Media Insider on Thursday.<\/p>\n Sky could increase customer prices \u201cwell ahead of CPI to recoup higher rights costs (ie, NRL renewal) and\/or offset the negative mix shift away from Sky Box\u201d.<\/p>\n Sky charges anywhere between $29.99 (for a day pass) to $549.99 (for an annual pass) for its Sky Sport Now streaming service, while Sky Sport TV packages are now $52 a month, around 10% more than customers were paying last year and up from $37.99 in February 2024.<\/p>\n Crozier said Sky had increased sports prices materially over recent years, \u201cand we expect it can do the same over the next few years, considering its suite of sports rights is comfortably the largest in NZ\u201d.<\/p>\n He questioned whether TVNZ could move from one-off events, such as the current Fifa World Cup, into season-long sports, \u201cbut its ambitions have increased the competitive tension in NZ sports rights\u201d.<\/p>\n Entertainment<\/p>\n According to Sky TV\u2019s latest annual report, Neon subscription numbers sat at 259,409 in 2025 \u2013 up slightly on its 2024 numbers but down on the 318,000 subscribers in 2023.<\/p>\n Latest numbers will be reported in August, when Sky announces its annual results.<\/p>\n Crozier believes the real impact of losing HBO Max will come in the next two years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe subscribers and pricing for Neon will be under pressure over the next year, offsetting the content cost savings from no HBO content.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe the loss of HBO content from SKT\u2019s Neon platform … will be more impactful than SKT is expecting.<\/p>\n \u201cWe revise our Neon revenue forecasts ~-15% lower, with FY28 Neon revenue now ~-40% lower than the 12 months to 1H26. <\/p>\n \u201cSKT has signed rights deals with Paramount, BBC and Sony, and refreshed its Neon marketing to support the platform with no HBO content. We don\u2019t believe this will be enough to stabilise Neon\u2019s subscriber falls.\u201d<\/p>\n Crozier says Sky can largely weather these storms, estimating ebitda to be back just 1 or 2% in the next two financial years. He reduced the target share price from $4 to $3.95 based on the lower earnings.<\/p>\n Sky TV shares were sitting at $3.29 at the close of trading on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u2018Delighted\u2019; \u2018Obscene money\u2019: The high cost of down-low advertising in CRL<\/p>\n Auckland\u2019s new City Rail Link won\u2019t just host the sound of busy commuters and trains whooshing through tunnels. <\/p>\n That other noise is the deep intake of breath from advertisers and agencies as they fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars for the pleasure of having their brands on premium digital billboards in the new stations deep underground.<\/p>\n Auckland Transport\u2019s contracted advertising agency, QMS, is understood to have sold digital billboard packages for six foundation advertisers for around $650,000 each for six months.<\/p>\n And while neither AT nor QMS will confirm prices, they have confirmed the packages have been \u201cfully subscribed\u201d – ie, sold out – for the first six months.<\/p>\n No one is yet saying who the six foundation advertisers are, but it wouldn\u2019t be a surprise to see at least one bank and a telco in there.<\/p>\n The prices have certainly raised eyebrows in the media industry, but there are two ways of looking at this.<\/p>\n One media industry source said that the pricing was \u201cobscene money\u201d and that it had not gone down well with some agencies. In a similar vein, another source said clients would be demanding to know that those prices are supported by audience delivery.<\/p>\n The other, broader view is that this is great news for city ratepayers who are already on the hook for the CRL. This is another way that the project can drive money back into the public coffers.<\/p>\n That\u2019s certainly Auckland Transport\u2019s position.<\/p>\n In a joint statement to Media Insider, AT and QMS said they were \u201cdelighted\u201d by the response and uptake from the market. <\/p>\n \u201cThis demonstrates the strong level of interest and confidence advertisers have in the long-term value of the CRL and reflects the quality of the media spaces within the new stations and the significant opportunities to connect with Aucklanders as they move through the network and benefit from faster, more convenient journeys when it opens to the public in the next few months,\u201d said the joint statement, released by an AT spokesman.<\/p>\n The income would support public transport.<\/p>\n \u201cRevenue generated through the CRL advertising network helps fund the ongoing operation and maintenance of Auckland\u2019s public transport infrastructure, reducing pressure on other funding sources while helping ensure stations and public spaces remain safe, attractive and well-maintained,\u201d said the statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThis delivers tangible value for Aucklanders by supporting a high-quality transport network that benefits residents, businesses and visitors alike.\u201d<\/p>\n The statement said AT and QMS had been focused on creating a \u201cpremium, digitally-led media environment\u201d that reflected the quality and significance of the CRL.<\/p>\n The new digital screens were being installed and would roll out across all three new stations: Maungawhau, Karanga-a-hape and Te Waihorotiu. <\/p>\n \u201cThese include a range of large- and small-format opportunities that have been carefully integrated into the station design and customer journey, ensuring advertising complements the overall commuter experience.\u201d<\/p>\n The CRL\u2019s opening date has not yet been confirmed. Some commentators expect it will be in September.<\/p>\n A new jersey sponsor? A Netflix series? Inside the All Blacks\u2019 commercial machine<\/p>\n The All Blacks kick off their 2026 season this weekend, in what has been a relatively quieter public build-up in the sense that much of the sports media\u2019s focus has been on the Fifa World Cup and the performance of the All Whites.<\/p>\n But a revolution is underway at NZ Rugby (NZR), beyond the obvious headline double-act of a new All Blacks coach and captain, and how they will fare in their first outing against France in Christchurch on Saturday.<\/p>\n Now in the C-suite of NZR are a confirmed new chief executive in Steve Lancaster, a new chief financial officer in Chris Kinraid and a new chief commercial officer in Chris Brown.<\/p>\n Brown is just three months into the role, but comes to NZR with a stellar marketing and commercial CV, most notably his five years at McDonald\u2019s in Australia and, before that, a significant advertising agency career, including as head of DDB in New York.<\/p>\n Brown isn\u2019t really coming from burgers though; he\u2019s coming from one of the world\u2019s most sophisticated customer-data and loyalty businesses \u2013 but more about that and how he wants to build the \u201cconnected fan\u201d shortly.<\/p>\n There are several major NZR commercial projects and deals already on his plate, not least a behind-the-scenes All Blacks documentary, possibly with Netflix, and negotiations already underway for the lucrative front-of-jersey All Blacks sponsorship from 2028 onwards.<\/p>\n French firm Altrad enters its penultimate year on Saturday night as the jersey sponsor, but there\u2019s no doubt Brown and the NZR team see considerably more value than the current six-year deal, reportedly worth $120m.<\/p>\n For starters, NZR will be bringing much more valuable and detailed data to the table about the All Blacks\u2019 fans, compared with the less-than-optimal statistics from four years ago. <\/p>\n \u201cNZR\u2019s knowledge about the All Blacks fanbase was poor, to the extent that it is understood that, when it was looking for front-of-jersey sponsors in 2021, a significant number of potential buyers pulled out when the national body couldn\u2019t provide even basic details about who supporters were and where they lived,\u201d senior NZ Herald rugby journalist Gregor Paul wrote last month.<\/a><\/p>\n Brown confirms that Altrad is just one of the companies NZR is speaking to about the jersey sponsorship. There are other \u201cworld-class brands\u201d in the mix.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a really exciting process,\u201d he told Media Insider. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the most valuable assets, I think, in the world of sport, and we\u2019re having some really interesting and exciting conversations on the global stage around that.\u201d<\/p>\n He notes there are still 18 months left on the current sponsorship deal and that Altrad continues to be an important partner for NZR, from the chair down. Chairman David Kirk visited Altrad chairman Mohed Altrad in Montpellier last year.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re very focused on [Altrad and other key partners] and certainly having really good discussions with all of them. But we are also looking at the other partners that we potentially don\u2019t have currently. It\u2019s a very compelling proposition from a global brand perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n Just how much more that real estate on the front of the black jersey might fetch is up for debate. Brown himself won\u2019t say.<\/p>\n But given Brown\u2019s background, what chance that we might see the Golden Arches somewhere in the mix?<\/p>\nMediaWorks chief executive Wendy Palmer.<\/p>\n
Warriors star Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira celebrates another try. Photo \/ Photosport <\/p>\n
Sky TV chief executive Sophie Moloney with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo (left) and chairman Peter V’landys (right) at a recent Warriors match. Screen grab \/ Sky TV<\/p>\n
Sky TV no longer has the rights to HBO Max shows such as The Pitt.<\/p>\n
Te Waihorotiu Station on the City Rail Link. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
Cam Roigard celebrates a try against Australia last year. A revolution is underway at NZ Rugby, beyond the obvious headline double-act of a new All Blacks coach and captain. Photo \/ Andrew Cornaga, Photosport <\/p>\n
NZ Rugby chief commercial officer Chris Brown. Photo graphic \/ NZR<\/p>\n