UPDATED: Sky TV outsources Prime News to rival

UPDATED 5.30pm:

Sky News (Australia) publicist Vanessa Guetti-Polimen says Prime News' 12 staff were informed of the change in how First at 5.30 will be produced this morning and "will be talked to next week" about what this means for them.

UPDATED 5pm:

NBR has received an anonymous tip that all Prime News journalists are being made redundant.

"Apparently there was a disagreement between [the] company that produces it here and Aussie buyers. So Prime News turns [into] 3News lite."

Publicists for both Mediaworks and Sky TV refused to comment on the future prospects of Prime News staff and instead referred NBR ONLINE to Sky News (Australia), but its publicist, Vanessa Guetti-Polimeni, did not respond to calls.

Mediaworks spokeswoman Rachel Lorimer did say existing Prime News journalists would be "well placed" to seek jobs on First at 5.30 at MediaWorks.

EARLIER:

Sky TV [NZX:SKT] has outsourced Prime's First at 5:30 news bulletin to rival media company MediaWorks.

A press release touts the partnership as tapping into Mediaworks’ resources.

“A dedicated production team with access to considerable resources and many of the country’s finest journalists and producers will provide an evening bulletin drawing on more than 200 TV, radio and digital news staff nationwide as well as foreign correspondents in Europe and Australia,” it says.

Sky chief executive John Fellet says Prime News has done an “amazing” job for the past eight years with limited resources.

“We are excited to be building on this solid heritage through our new partnership with MediaWorks, continuing with half hour evening bulletins and live updates throughout the night,” says Mr Fellet.

“SKY News still remains a valuable partner of ours and we are discussing other projects to work together on.”

MediaWorks group head of news Mark Jennings says Prime will enjoy advantages from the recently announced integration of MediaWorks’ news teams.

“With the combined resources of TV, radio and digital news teams, we will have one of the biggest news operations in the country,” Mr Jennings says. “

Prime will benefit from our size and reach and the calibre of our people. Our aim is to provide a high quality 5.30pm news programme that builds on the loyal Prime News following.”

Meanwhile, Mediaworks chief executive Mark Weldon says the partnership model adds value to both businesses.

“This is a ground breaking partnership for the Group, and testament to MediaWorks’ news leadership in the New Zealand market,” he says.

“News is core to our business, and this is a significant strategic move that expands our footprint in this area. We are looking forward to delivering a top quality news programme to Prime viewers.”

Eric Young has fronted the bulletin since March 2006 but there’s currently no information on who will present the upgraded version

This and other details will be released "in due course".

The new show will launch in March.

cgibson@nbr.co.nz