Sell TV2

I couldn’t agree more with Goldman Sachs JBWere who recommend the Government sells TV2. TV2 is fully commercial, provides no public good service, and there is no rationale for the Government to own it.

They think TV2 could fetch $436 million.

The report notes that TV1 had lost 26 per cent of its prime-time audiences since the charter was put in place on March 1, 2003. TVNZ is confused with a dual role to be both a commercial broadcaster and a public service broadcaster. One can’t do both.

Also the role of the Government as both owner and regulator complicates things.

So yes sell TV2 and focus TV One on being a public service broadcaster. Has my vote.