Around 20 staff will be made redundant following MediaWorks axing of TV3 shows Sunrise and ASB Business this morning.Asked whether Sunrise presenters Oliver Driver and Carly Flynn would be redeployed to other shows, MediaWorks Executive Director of TV Ian
Around 20 staff will be made redundant following MediaWorks axing of TV3 shows Sunrise and ASB Business this morning.
Asked whether Sunrise presenters Oliver Driver and Carly Flynn would be redeployed to other shows, MediaWorks Executive Director of TV Ian Audsley said he had talked to each about “possible other roles across across MediaWorks networks” (the media company also owns a string of radio stations including RadioLive, The Edge, The Rock and More FM).
Mr Audsley refused to comment on whether Ms Flynn's pregnancy would factor into MediaWorks' considerations.
ASB Business presenter Michael Wilson seems on firmer ground.
Mr Audsley said head of news and current affairs Mark Jennings was currently "engaging with Michael about other opportunities," although no concrete agreement has been reached as yet.
Mr Wilson jumped ship from TVNZ's business show to front TV3's rival venture.
Sponsor ASB followed him to the new network.
Mr Audsley said ASB Business' cancellation did not coincide with a rollover of ASB's contract, and that MediaWorks is in talks with the bank about alternatives.
When NBR inquired if Mr Audsley expected Sunrise's departing hosts to behave themselves for their live, farewell show at 7am to 8am tomorrow, the executive director replied: "Absolutely, they're professionals through-and-through. In fact I want them to front it."
