<\/p>\n
\nThe TAHI youth platform will be closing.
\nPhoto: TAHI\n<\/p>\n
RNZ has announced it will close its TAHI youth platform as part of a number of changes to how the broadcaster covers music, arts and culture.<\/p>\n
The long-running At The Movies radio show with Simon Morris will also end – although will continue as a podcast – while the Sunday Sampler show will also wrap up.<\/p>\n
The number of presenters on RNZ’s Culture 101 show on Sunday afternoons will also be cut from two to one.<\/p>\n
In a statement, RNZ said the programming changes were part of a review into how it covered music, arts and culture, and how it reached audiences across platforms.<\/p>\n
“We recognise that change is difficult for audiences and kaimahi. As a publicly funded media organisation, RNZ has a responsibility to assess and ensure all parts of the organisation are performing in a way that delivers for our audience and serves the public interest.”<\/p>\n
RNZ said TAHI had not reached the target audience enough to justify continuing to fund it, “despite the hard work of everyone involved”.<\/p>\n
RNZ interim head of content John Hartevelt said international platforms such as YouTube and TikTok had made it difficult to support dedicated youth channels.<\/p>\n
“We are able to reach younger audiences by making our content freely available on those platforms and our focus will now be on making sure we continue to offer a wide range of vibrant content that fulfils our Charter requirements to reach audiences of all ages.”<\/p>\n
The final TAHI podcast will be released on 6 November.<\/p>\n
The date for the final At the Movies radio show has not yet been confirmed.<\/p>\n
RNZ said it was changing how it reviews films, with the introduction of multiple contributors, so more reviews could appear across RNZ’s platforms.<\/p>\n
“The At the Movies podcast feed will be retained as a showcase for the wide range of reviews on RNZ National.”<\/p>\n
The one-hour Sunday Sampler show – hosted by Tony Stamp – has also wrapped up, although The Sampler will continue within Music 101 on Saturday afternoons.<\/p>\n
In the final change announced today, RNZ said<\/p>\n
Culture 101 will change from two presenters to one. It is currently hosted by Perlina Lau and Mark Amery.<\/p>\n
“This is to bring the programme in line with its sister show Music 101 and to boost production of the show.<\/p>\n
“The show itself will continue its important role profiling creativity and culture in Aotearoa, aiming for an even larger audience across platforms.”<\/p>\n
RNZ said it will also be confirming summer programming – including Matinee Idle – shortly.<\/p>\n