TV3 names fill-in as Rachel Smalley departs
ZB says ultra-early morning news shows are an international trend.
UPDATE Aug 23: Today is Rachel Smalley's final day presenting Firstline, TV3 says - at least a week earlier than originally flagged.
The broadcaster has yet to appoint a replacement.
Regular back-up presenter Simon Shepherd will host the programme for the week beginning Monday 26 August in the meantime.
------------
Rachel Smalley quits TV3 for NewstalkZB
Aug 8: Rachel Smalley has quit TV3's breakfast news show, Firstline, for a job at Newstalk ZB.
Ms Smalley will host a new ZB show called Early Edition, which will air between 5am and 6am, leading into the Mike Hosking Breakfast.
She will continue to front current affairs interview show The Nation, which screens on TV3 on Sundays and is produced by independent production house Frontpage.
ZB says Early Edition will be a fast-paced news focused programme.
“People's work patterns are changing, requiring them to be up earlier than a few years ago. This show is designed to give them all the information they need to start the day,” TRN general manager of talk programming Dallas Gurney says.
Mr Gurney says early breakfast shows are trending internationally.
“There are now are as many people listening to Newstalk ZB at 5.30am in the morning as at 4.30pm in the afternoon.”
MediaWorks, which broadcasts TV3, says Ms Smalley will make her final Firstline appearance in "early September".
Susan Wood will continue to be the fill-in for when Mike Hosking is on leave, ZB says.
Newstalk ZB is part of The Radio Network, co-owned by Herald publisher APN and US company Clear Channel. Sister stations include Classic Hits, Radio Sport, Radio Hauraki and ZM.
It competes with MediaWorks' RadioWorks stations, which include RadioLive, More FM, The Rock, LiveSport, George FM, The Edge and The Breeze.
NBR staff
Fri, 23 Aug 2013
Fri, 23 Aug 2013
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
TV3 names fill-in as Rachel Smalley departs
31424