New Zealand to merge public TV and radio as audiences shift

New Zealand’s government says it will merge its public television and radio broadcasters into a single new organization it hopes will be better placed to reach younger audiences

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Noting the rapid changes taking place in how people consume news and entertainment, New Zealand's government on Thursday said it would merge its public television and radio broadcasters into a single new organization it hopes will be better placed to reach younger audiences.

The merger represents a major shakeup to the nation's media landscape, potentially affecting about 1,000 employees across TVNZ and RNZ. The two broadcasters have been dominant players for decades, often setting the news agenda and providing shared cultural moments.

But they've also served different roles, with TVNZ selling ads and following a commercial model, while RNZ has run ad-free and acted in more of a public service role, notably in crises like earthquakes.

The new organization is likely to have an increased focus on growth areas like on-demand video, online news and podcasts. It will run under a legal charter requiring it to provide trustworthy news as a core service.