Allied Press is consulting over a proposal to close its broadcast television station Channel 39.
Allied Press chief executive Grant McKenzie said the company had not taken lightly the decision to review the station, which broadcasts to Dunedin.
"We have started consultation to close Channel 39 from December 22. Our main focus is on supporting our staff as we work through this process."
The proposal had come about following a reduction in NZ on Air funding, which, combined with changing viewing habits, increasing costs and diminishing advertiser support meant Allied Press had to work on moving to a digital model for its video content, he said.
The daily 20 minute news bulletin would stop.
Originally started as a tourism channel for broadcast into local hotels and motels, the station expanded and developed local programming, including Cow TV in the 1990s and later the Channel 39 daily news bulletin, The South Today.
"I want to acknowledge the hard work of the many people who have brought the station and its shows to air over many years.
"We recognise this will be a difficult time for those working at Channel 39 who we will continue to support through this process," Mr McKenzie said.
