MediaWorks to produce Prime News as part of new SKY and Prime partnership

SKY TV has announced Prime News - First at 5.30 will be produced by the MediaWorks news division at their Auckland Flower Street Studios from March.

The company says a production team with access to considerable resources, as well as a team of journalists and producers, will provide an evening bulletin drawing on more than 200 TV, radio and digital news staff nationwide as well as foreign correspondents in Europe and Australia.

John Fellet, CEO of SKY TV, welcomed the move. "The team at Prime News - First at 5.30 has done an amazing job for the past eight years with very limited resources," he says. "We are excited to be building on this solid heritage through our new partnership with MediaWorks, continuing with half hour evening bulletins and live updates throughout the night. SKY News still remains a valuable partner of ours and we are discussing other projects to work together on."

Mark Jennings, group head of news for MediaWorks, says Prime will benefit from the recently announced integration of MediaWorks' news teams.

"With the combined resources of TV, radio and digital news teams, we will have one of the biggest news operations in the country," he says. "Prime will benefit from our size and reach and the calibre of our people. Our aim is to provide a high quality 5.30pm news programme that builds on the loyal Prime News following."

Mark Weldon, group CEO of MediaWorks, says the partnership model adds value to both businesses.

"This is a ground breaking partnership for the group, and testament to MediaWorks' news leadership in the New Zealand market. News is core to our business, and this is a significant strategic move that expands our footprint in this area. We are looking forward to delivering a top quality news programme to Prime viewers."

SKY TV says further details including Prime News - First at 5.30 presenters will be released in due course.