More than a million New Zealanders watched the first live Leaders Debate between Bill English and Jacinda Ardern last night on TVNZ 1 and streamed online – up on 2014 audience numbers.
Last night was the first time voters got to see the leaders of the country’s biggest parties going head-to-head in an hour long primetime debate.
The first 1 NEWS Vote 17 Leaders Debate reached 1.1 million TV viewers and was watched by an average audience of 783,000 (AP5+). Nearly half of New Zealand’s TV viewing audience were locked on the programme (48.8% share).
There were a total of 144,000 streams across TVNZ’s online channels. The debate was available on TVNZ.co.nz’s live stream and OnDemand, 1 NEWS NOW, RE: and TVNZ’s YouTube channel, as well as Facebook Live.
John Gillespie, TVNZ’s Head of News and Current Affairs says: “Last night was a big TV moment. In the country’s living rooms, pubs and bars, people were riveted by the debate. It was a massive news day in so many ways with our latest 1 NEWS Colmar Brunton poll coming shortly before the debate, adding to the drama of the night.
“The debate was a galvanising event for so many New Zealanders. The keen interest and engagement in the political process is great to see. It’s important to us to be able to bring it to so many people.”
The debate was moderated by Mike Hosking. “Mike did an outstanding job,” says John Gillespie. “We look forward to next Friday’s debate.”
On 8 September at 7pm on TVNZ 1, 1 NEWS’ 90 minute Multi-Party debate brings together the potential coalition partners of the major parties.
1 NEWS’ Vote Compass tool has now been used 225,000 times. Vote Compass gives voters a clear picture of how their views line up with the policies of the political parties.
1 NEWS Vote 17 Leaders Debate
Average Daily Reach 1,131,000 (AP5+)
Average Audience 783,700 (AP5+)
Share: 48.8% (AP5+)
Average Daily Reach 393,200 (25-54)
Average Audience 259,500 (25-54)
Share: 36.9% (25-54)
Vote 2014 Leaders Debate
Average Daily Reach 1,049,600 (AP5+)
Average Audience 631,300 (AP5+)
Share: 36.2% (AP5+)
Average Daily Reach 403,900 (25-54)
Average Audience 217,200 (25-54)
Share: 27.7% (25-54)
[Comment declined for publication. Does not add to the debate. – Scarletmod]
Well you would expect Gillespie to describe Hoskings’ performance as “outstanding”, he isn’t likely to admit anything less and risk his little altar boy turning on him.
Hosking did not do an outstanding job. He was OK throughout except he couldn’t help doing what he likes doing best: making himself the star of the show instead of the two leaders who WERE the stars.
As was mentioned elsewhere, the production was a bit low grade and the camera angles a bit odd at times.
Nonetheless, we did get a reasonable exchange of questions and answers between the two leaders.
Jacinda showed she can match it with a more experienced politician and what a quick learner she is.
As for who won, who cares?
It is not a boxing match, it is a time for the two leaders to go head to head and show us their worth. Picking winners and losers is just a MSM fetish. The real winner and losers will be decided on the 23rd.
Gillespie is a right winger and has backed Horrible Hosking to the hilt so no surprises there.
Gillespie and all the establishment comment would support a chimp dressed in blue and espousing right wing propaganda so long as it was not sympathetic to a progressive point of view.
The National party CONTROLS the fourth estate in New Zealand make no mistake about it and are still pushing despite the public saying otherwise that Bill ” fired during the debate ” which is utter crap !
They have a lot of sympathisers in the media and if you watched closely the layout of the debate you would have noticed that Bill and his podium was placed in ” front ” of Jacinda’s in the shot with Hosking in the foreground.
Subtle but unmistakable.
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