MUSIC TELEVISION SHAKE-UPS

Rip It Up, Issue 220, 1 December 1995, Page 6

MUSIC TELEVISION SHAKE-UPS

Last month TVNZ announced they would be dropping Music Nation, their only programme dedicated solely to the promotion of New Zealand music, and also the Top 40 video programme, The Chart Show. TVNZ plan to replace the shows with two internally produced programmes— an hourlong show of Top 40 music, and a "new releases" show.

Frenzy, the half hour NZ music show that screens on TV3, is being 'spelled' over the summer to make way for the network’s cricket coverage. Early next year, Manifesto Communications, the company that produces Frenzy, will submit proposals to TV3 and NZ On Air for further airtime and funding for the programme, respectively. Changes behind the scenes at Max, The Music Channel, has seen Daniel Wrightson ousted as Progamme Director, and replaced by VJ, Eddie Hriber. Wrightson and his father Dale (trading as Great Pacific Entertainment) have an equal shareholding in Max, along with two other companies, Astral, and On Line. Great Pacific were responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Channel, but when their contract came up for renewal. Astral and On Line decided to replace the Wrightsons, although they still retain their shareholding in the company. Great Pacific will continue to program Juice, for Sky TV's Orange Channel.