Decision 11: Battle of the news networks

As most New Zealanders (minus those who didn't vote – all 26% of them!) on Saturday night sat down at home, a friend's place or the local pub to watch New Zealand's election coverage, they were faced with a question; which channel do I watch?

TV One and TV3 were the main TV channels as well as a broadcast available on Maori Television.

I'm usually a TV One news watcher, but within the first minute or so of coverage, I decided that the TV3 coverage would be better. I was right. I thought TV3 had a better line-up with panellists Paul Henry (who's always good for a laugh), Chris Trotter and Therese Arseneau (the American lady) as well as Rodney Hide, Linda Clark and John Tamihere providing insight. The TV3 coverage was hosted by John Campbell with support from Duncan Garner.

Mark Sainsbury played host to TV One's coverage with support from Guyon Espiner, Simon Dallow, Willie Jackson, Jon Johansson and (drum roll please…) Te Radar. Now even the most loyal Te Radar fans would think this was random, surely. TV One might have well just put Richie McCaw or Dan Carter on the panel if they were putting Te Radar up.

While Te Radar's spot was questionable, the most unusual thing I saw on election night was the John Key impersonator on TV3. I could see what TV3 was trying to do, but skits like this can be hit and miss – and sadly for TV3, it actually wasn't that funny – perhaps they could have enlisted the help from the WannaBen or Jono's New Project crews (both funny in their own right). Essentially the skit didn't detract viewers from watching TV3's broadcast, with the channel being the favoured option on Saturday. nb. TV3's press release is here.

New Zealand Herald columnist Deborah Hill Cone made comment that TV One viewing was uncomfortable to watch because no one knew who "Dad" was (Sainsbury, Dallow, Espiner, etc.), whereas the coverage on TV3 was clearly led by John Campbell, making for an easier watch.

Incidentally, when I popped out of the house to pick-up some takeaway, I tuned into Mike Hosking and Barry Soper who provided the election coverage for NewsTalk ZB. Both were very insightful and I wonder if Mike Hosking was ever considered for TV One. Perhaps he could have changed TV One's fortunes.