Like it or not, the Government must step up and help Television New Zealand compete in the fight for its life.
The state-owned broadcaster is in what military strategists would call a perilous situation: With weakened supply lines, it is facing enemies on both flanks and a pincer movement that could squeeze the life out of it.
On one flank it has Sky TV, which last week pulled off a brilliant tactical move in which it was effectively gifted the valuable brand equity that continues to reside in Three despite its financial woes.
On the other flank are streaming services which – in spite of fighting their own battle royal – take increasing numbers of viewers from traditional providers.
