Farewell from Steven on Media
Steven on Media will no longer be actively maintained. Posts will remain available for historical purposes. This is due to full-time work commitments, which take up most of my time now - leaving no time for me to write content for this blog.
Thanks to everyone who supported the blog and its content - it is very much appreciated! Catch ya around some time.
For your media fix, you could check out Throng.co.nz or dannews.co.nz.
So, what’s all this then?
You've stumbled upon the blog of Steven McTainsh, a media enthusiast and web/software developer currently living in Wellington, New Zealand. The blog covers topics from television to film, with sprinkles of personal opinion thrown in.
So stick around and take a look! If you like the site, check out the official page on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.
Mediaworks
Mediaworks is the entity which owns and operates TV3 and FOUR (originally TV4, later C4). Starting with TV3 in 1989, Mediaworks had a colourful introduction to the television world, encountering potential bankruptcy early on. Rising up from that, they launched TV4 in 1997, which was rebranded as C4 in 2003, and again as FOUR in 2011.
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Christina Applegate leaving Up All Night
Posted on February 9, 2013 | No CommentsNew comedy series Up All Night, scheduled to premiere on FOUR later this year, has seen the departure of Christina Applegate, one of the show’s main characters. Applegate states that she... -
TV3 and FOUR websites updated
Posted on February 4, 2013 | 2 CommentsThe TV3 and FOUR websites have today been updated, sporting a cleaner look, and also a brand new On Demand experience. Overall, this is a fantastic update to these websites... -
Final two X Factor NZ judges announced
Posted on January 31, 2013 | 1 CommentThe final two judges for The X Factor NZ have today been announced – All Saints member Melanie Blatt and local act Ruby Frost. Auditions are currently underway around the... -
TV3′s summer schedule is in!
Posted on January 23, 2013 | 5 CommentsTV3 have launched their new look summer schedule for 2013, after the completion of The Block Australia. The new schedule kicks off from February 3rd. Sunday 7:30: All New Simpsons... -
The Radio starts February 8th
Posted on January 23, 2013 | 1 CommentBrand new comedy series The Radio starts on TV3, Friday February 8th at 10:00pm. The series is set in a fictitious radio station, and is presented as part sitcom, part... -
The Blue Rose trailer
Posted on January 15, 2013 | 1 CommentCheck out the trailer for The Blue Rose right here! This is looking like a great series, cannot wait until its debut! -
New look for Campbell Live?
Posted on January 10, 2013 | 3 CommentsWhen Campbell Live returns on January 21st, it could just boast a whole new look. Here’s the new logo provided by Mediaworks, which supports the change: -
Which international shows should NZ screen?
Posted on January 7, 2013 | 6 CommentsIn a land of promises of rapid television delivery, in the form of Fast Four and other campaigns, there are still a number of popular shows overseas that are unfortunately... -
C4 has an online presence…again
Posted on December 28, 2012 | 1 CommentAfter C4 was reduced to a channel on Freeview with no website at all, and only a rarely-updated Facebook and Twitter presence, a web property has returned for the channel:... -
2012: The year that was in media
Posted on December 26, 2012 | No CommentsAfter a brief hiatus, my media blog is back! Although my updates this year have been sparse, thanks to completing the last year of my degree and working at the... -
The Almighty Johnsons coming back for season 3
Posted on October 15, 2012 | 1 CommentThat’s right, the boys will be back next year with a new season of The Almighty Johnsons! The new season commences filming in 2013, and will remain on TV3. Can’t wait! -
Jono and Ben at Ten starts next month
Posted on June 28, 2012 | 1 CommentBrand new comedy series, Jono and Ben at Ten, starts next month. The premiere lands Friday July 13th at 10:00pm on TV3. This is an interesting combination of comedic personalities –... -
Go Girls gets a fifth season
Posted on June 16, 2012 | No CommentsGo Girls will officially be back for a 5th season, with NZ On Air announcing their latest funding decisions yesterday. A 13 episode season is being ordered. Also on the... -
NZ series ‘The Blue Rose’ destined for TV3
Posted on June 3, 2012 | 2 CommentsA brand new series is coming, from the creators of Outrageous Fortune and The Almighty Johnsons. The new show, called The Blue Rose, stars the familiar faces of Antonia Prebble (Loretta... -
U.S. Renewals and Cancellations for 2012
Posted on May 15, 2012 | No CommentsIt’s that time of year again – when the networks in the States decide what’s staying and what’s being kicked out of their line-ups. And here are the current results:... -
Is TV3 suffering an identity crisis?
Posted on April 28, 2012 | 1 CommentWith news of The GC starting on May 2nd, an interesting thought popped into my mind – is TV3 facing an identity crisis around its target audience? Shows such as... -
Super City picked up by ABC in the US
Posted on April 26, 2012 | No CommentsMadeleine Sami’s Super City has been picked up for adaptation by US network ABC. The series is directed by well-known Kiwi director Taika Waititi (director of Boy). The six-part comedy series... -
Celebrating 500 episodes of The Simpsons
Posted on April 18, 2012 | No CommentsSunday May 6th, at 7:30pm, will see the New Zealand premiere of the 500th episode of The Simpsons, and in the week leading up to this 500th episode, viewers have... -
New season of The Graham Norton Show starts May 4th
Posted on April 18, 2012 | No CommentsHilarity is bound to ensue when Graham Norton returns with brand new episodes of his hit series, The Graham Norton Show, Friday May 4th at 8:30pm. In the meantime, TV3... -
The GC starts Wednesday May 2nd
Posted on April 18, 2012 | 1 CommentTV3′s new series, The GC, starts Wednesday May 2nd at 8:00pm. The new half-hour series, which appears to be New Zealand and Australia’s answer to the US’s Jersey Shore and... -
Carly Flynn is the new host of Target
Posted on March 23, 2012 | No CommentsIt has been confirmed that Carly Flynn, of Sunrise and Nightline fame, will replace Jeanette Thomas as host of Target. Jeanette had previously forfeited the role to host TVNZ’s Good Morning. Target... -
New series ‘Touch’ starts Sunday
Posted on March 20, 2012 | 2 CommentsNew series Touch, starring Kiefer Sutherland and Danny Glover, makes it way to New Zealand shores this Sunday, 8:30pm on TV3. The series has been highly anticipated, and is based... -
The Finder premieres March 22nd
Posted on March 12, 2012 | No CommentsNew series The Finder, which is in fact a series spin-off from a special episode of Bones, premieres Thursday March 22nd at 8:30pm on TV3. The series revolves around main... -
Almighty Johnsons ratings not so good
Posted on March 8, 2012 | 1 CommentThe latest ratings figures are in for The Almighty Johnsons, and based on scheduled viewing (excluding On Demand viewing), they aren’t looking too good. Since I just love a good... -
Jay Ryan nabs lead role in US series
Posted on March 4, 2012 | No CommentsJay Ryan, known for his appearances in local hit Go Girls, Neighbours, Legend of the Seeker and Offspring, has landed the lead male role in new CW series, Beauty and... -
Christchurch Earthquake Memorial Coverage
Posted on February 22, 2012 | No CommentsFebruary 22nd marks one year since the devastating Christchurch Earthquake that took the lives of 185 people. In rememberance of those lives lost, the following programmes will broadcast today. TV... -
Almighty Johnsons season 1 finale screens Feb 25
Posted on February 21, 2012 | No CommentsTo help jog your memory on what happened in the Season 1 finale of The Almighty Johnsons, TV3 will be playing a repeat of that very episode on Saturday February... -
FOUR Live starts tomorrow
Posted on February 12, 2012 | 4 CommentsFOUR Live starts tomorrow at 4:30pm. In case you haven’t heard, this is the replacement for Drew and Shannon Live - Shannon remains as a host, but Drew has decided not...