Shortland St numbers down

AUCKLAND, Today: The doctors and nurses on Shortland Street have survived serial killers, viral outbreaks and volcanoes over the show’s 30-year existence, but the biggest threat they face lies in the current chaos of the media industry, writes Damien Venuto in this morning’s NZ Herald.

“The rapid splintering of audiences across media channels and streaming services has led to every show on television feeling a little less secure than it once did,” Venutto said.

“The Street has not been immune to the impact of these migrating audiences even as it celebrates its three-decade anniversary.

“The show remains popular, but not as popular as it once was.”

“The current numbers aren’t great by Shortland Street standards.

“Shortland Street isn’t an underperforming outlier in the New Zealand media context. Instead, it’s a symbol of the broader malaise and challenges that face entertainment producers and broadcasters in this country.

“Shortland Street remains popular, but not as popular as it once was.”

• The full story