New Zealand
- TVNZ has proposed shutting down its 1News website by February 2025 for cost savings.
- The proposal aims to achieve $30 million in savings and streamline TVNZ’s digital strategy.
- TVNZ staff were informed today, with feedback being sought before a final decision is made.
TVNZ is proposing to close its 1News website in February 2025 as part of a broader strategy to achieve $30 million in cost savings. The proposal, revealed to staff today, outlines several changes aimed at consolidating business areas, outsourcing content workflows and technology, and investing in TVNZ+.
A TVNZ spokesperson said, “We are now seeking feedback on the proposals, and we will not be making any decisions until after we have considered all the feedback from our people.”
If approved, the proposal would see the 1News website shut down early next year, with TVNZ's youth news platform, Re: News, focusing solely on video storytelling from February 2025. The broadcaster also plans to establish a centre for excellence for data, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as a Creative Hub to streamline operations.
The company has stated that these changes are part of a long-term Digital+ strategy, which aims to prioritise TVNZ+ as the primary platform for its news content. A new, dedicated team would be set up to manage TVNZ+ news, further cementing its role as the flagship digital offering.
Earlier today, staff were called into a meeting to discuss the proposed changes. Shortly after, some employees were seen leaving the building, but declined to comment on the meeting’s content. The TVNZ digital team reportedly held a separate meeting to discuss the potential impacts on their operations.