[Globaltraffic24]

The Newshub closure would be devastating for NZ media, but feels like it's a bit of a threat from WBD to try and get the government to pay to keep it.

Definitely, but they’ve gone about it terribly. The NZ Government has been very clear that WBD explicitly told them it didn’t require any financial support. The fact it caught the government by surprise will not land well with those in power. I wouldn’t be surprised if the pressure is put firmly on WBD to put up or sell up.