20/20
An advertisement promoting the launch of 20/20 on TV3 (now Three). Image courtesy of The Press and the National Library of New Zealand, digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
For many New Zealanders, 20/20 was a staple of local television but its origins are intertwined with a fascinating network battle over one of the world’s most famous news brands: 60 Minutes.
60 Minutes made its New Zealand debut on TV3 (now Three) at 6.30pm on the evening of Sunday 3 December 1989.
Based on the acclaimed CBS format, the programme blended in-depth local investigations and profiles with content from its American and Australian counterparts and began with a powerful three-part investigation by reporter Amanda Millar (produced by Max Adams) into the notorious sex offender Joseph Parker.
60 Minutes was a flagship programme for TV3, but a major change was coming. In March 1992, TVNZ had secured the rights to the 60 Minutes name in a deal with CBS.
Brent Harman, TVNZ’s then CEO, had been keen on the brand even before TV3 launched. In what he called ‘a gesture of good will’, Harman agreed to lease the name back to TV3 but for only one more year.
With their licence for the 60 Minutes name expiring, TV3 had to pivot. In January 1993, the network launched a new marketing campaign for its rebranded show: 20/20.
An advertisement from the time, featuring Louise Wallace and Keith Davies, cheekily declared: “60 Minutes really isn’t going anywhere.”
This was TV3’s clever way of assuring viewers that the team and the commitment to hard-hitting journalism remained exactly the same, even if the name had changed. The new 20/20 continued its ‘in-depth investigations into New Zealand’s most incisive current affairs’ but now sourced its overseas content from ABC America. The initial 20/20 team also included respected journalists Janet McIntyre and Melanie Reid.
20/20 premiered on TV3 at 7.30pm on the evening of Sunday 3 January 1993 and ran on the network from 1993 to 2004, becoming a respected and integral part of the country’s media landscape.
Over its run, 20/20 featured a ‘who’s who’ of New Zealand journalism. These included:
- John Campbell
- Sean Plunket
- Anita McNaught
- Genevieve Westcott
- Richard Langston
- Karen Pickersgill (now Karen McCarthy)
- Matt Conway
- Amanda Millar
- Anna Kenna
- Mike McRoberts
- Phil Vine
- Simon Shepherd
It stands as a significant chapter in New Zealand’s broadcasting history, born from a network rivalry but establishing a powerful legacy all its own.
