LINEAR IS LOCAL: WHY FREE-TO-AIR TV IS STILL ‘A MIRROR INTO NEW ZEALAND’S SOUL’

THERE ARE 196 countries in the world, making up a population of 7.5 billion people. And while 4.6 million of them live in New Zealand, the world is at their fingertips through their smartphones, tablets, computers, laptops and the TV remote. But while they’re busy exploring there are two things New Zealanders all know – Dr Ropata is not in Guatemala anymore, and you must always blow on the pie.

TV is a cultural driver – and educator – in New Zealand and an important part of that role is the broadcasting of local programming.

So much so that according to NZ On Air’s 2016 Local Content Report, local content makes up 31 percent of the free-to-air schedule with a total of 13,126 hours of its broadcast time in 2016.

TVNZ saw 1 News, Fair Go and Hyundai Country Calendar take the top three spots in its highest rated 20 programmes of 2016. Sunday, Dog Squad, Coast New Zealand, Mastermind New Zealand, Our Big Blue Backyard, Seven Sharp and Border Patrol were also local programmes that made the list.

Meanwhile, at MediaWorks, 7 Days, The Block NZ, All Star Family Feud and Westside were its most successful local programmes in the 25-54-year-old age range.

MediaWorks chief content officer Andrew Szusterman says as far as New Zealand network TV goes, it needs to be representative of New Zealanders with less reliance on overseas