Warner Bros/Discovery Announces Closure of Newshub Operations in New Zealand
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Warner Bros. Discovery is to close Newshub in New Zealand by June 30 due to significant financial challenges and an adverse market environment.
- The closure affects all multiplatform news operations and output of Newshub, a decision that was not made lightly by the company.
- The downturn in advertising revenue, both locally and globally, has been cited as a primary reason for the closure, impacting the sustainability of the news division.
Warner Bros. Discovery has made the difficult decision to shut down all operations of Newshub, its news division in New Zealand, by June 30, due to a significant decline in advertising revenue and a series of adverse events. The announcement was made during an urgent meeting with the staff earlier today.
Owned by the global entertainment conglomerate Warner Bros. Discovery, which also manages channels such as eden, Rush, HGTV, and Bravo, Newshub has been a vital part of New Zealand’s media landscape. James Gibbons, President for the Asia Pacific region at Warner Bros. Discovery, expressed the company’s deep awareness of the impact this closure will have on its employees, the country, and the broader media industry.
This decision comes in the wake of an unprecedented downturn in the advertising market, exacerbated by global economic challenges. Despite the company’s efforts, the rapid decline in advertising revenue in New Zealand has made it impossible to sustain Newshub’s operations without enduring losses indefinitely.
The closure marks the end of Warner Bros. Discovery’s investment in New Zealand’s news sector since acquiring Mediaworks’ channel assets in 2020 and the recent discontinuation of The Project, a prime-time news and current affairs show. Plans for a new show to replace The Project, led by former AM Show host Ryan Bridge, have been put on hold.
Sarah Bristow, Senior Director of News at Warner Bros. Discovery ANZ, previously highlighted the intended new show’s role in engaging with critical and connecting conversations. However, with the newsroom’s impending closure, the future of such initiatives remains uncertain.