Real Housewives of Auckland

Stuff reports:

Mediaworks’ under-fire chief executive Mark Weldon says New Zealand is “very low” in broadcast hours for reality television – signalling further investment in reality shows by the broadcaster.

While its news division is in turmoil after a string of exits headlined by star news anchor Hilary Barry, Mediaworks is focusing on producing more reality TV by forming a new company, Bravo New Zealand.

It’s a partnership with NBCUniversal – which makes shows such as Keeping up with the Kardashians, Million Dollar Listing and Real Housewives – which provides content to 176 territories worldwide, across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific. …

Mediaworks will close the youth-oriented channel FOUR in July and replace it with Bravo New Zealand. Bravo will screen reality shows such as Million Dollar Listing, Top Chef, Shahs of Sunset, Flipping Out and The Real Housewives.

The first local offering on the channel, The Real Housewives of Auckland, launches in August.

Weldon said MediaWorks had identified a gap in the market for female-oriented reality programming, which tends to engender loyal and passionate fans. 

As a commercial decision, this makes sense. Reality TV stars don’t cost anything in terms of salaries, and actors do.

I don’t watch much reality TV, as I just don’t have the time any more. But they can be quite addictive. I used to watch The Amazing Race and Survivor heaps.

The Real Housewives of Auckland sounds somewhat compelling. Not for me, but I can see it doing well.