Two Million Listening to NZME Radio and Partners

Press Release for Immediate Release – Thursday 18 April 2019

Two Million Listening to NZME Radio and Partners

Commercial Radio Remains Strong

18 April 2019 – NZME and partners have once again retained the number one position in the important Auckland market for 10+ share and two million New Zealanders are tuning in each week across the country^^, according to the first 2019 GfK independent commercial radio survey.

Across the country, NZME has grown in both cume and share in the key 25-54 year old demographic.

NZME’s iHeartRadio continues to connect Kiwi fans to their favourite music and radio personalities through thousands of live radio stations, millions of custom artist stations and podcasts. Registrations remain in growth mode, up 16%, to just over 863,000 registered users, with the podcast audience doubling year on year.

NZME’s chief commercial officer, Matt Headland is thrilled to see NZME continue to punch above its weight in radio.

“Achieving growth across multiple stations, day parts, regions and demographics shows our teams are producing content that is hitting the mark. When you consider the reach of NZME’s overall audience across print, radio and digital, NZME delivers for our clients time and time again.”

Newstalk ZB had an outstanding result around the country, with its biggest audience since the GfK Commercial Radio Survey began**, extending its lead as New Zealand’s number-one commercial radio station.

“The Mike Hosking Breakfast continues to deliver exceptional, quality, in-depth news and interviews. Kerre McIvor’s new Mornings show has picked up where Leighton Smith left off – number one nationally^, a brilliant result that highlights Kerre’s qualities as a world-class broadcaster,” says Shayne Currie, Managing Editor for NZME.

Currie paid tribute to Newstalk ZB's sensitive and respectful coverage of the Christchurch mosque shootings and for leading the debate and discussion around the Government's now-scrapped capital gains tax proposal.

“The New Zealand media performed an important and critical role in the Christchurch tragedy, and aftermath, and Newstalk ZB epitomised this – not only for its accurate, up-to-date information and analysis, but as a trusted source for people to engage and discuss the impact on them personally.

“In a time of crisis, we have been proud of how all of our broadcasters rallied together around Christchurch to support the community and New Zealand.”

Radio Sport has increased its audience^^ and is looking forward to the huge year of sport with the Rugby World Cup, Netball World Cup and the Cricket World Cup, which Radio Sport has exclusive broadcast rights for.

Dean Buchanan, Head of Entertainment adds that this year will be a big one for talent joining NZME; Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford will reunite on Newstalk ZB, and NZME recently announced Mike Puru joining Stacey Morrison on The Hits Drive.

“The quality of the content our stations are producing and the extension of this online and through social media means we continue to attract strong talent like Simon, Phil and Mike. With the recent additions of Tracey Donaldson on Mix and the new Flava line up; we are in for a formidable 2019.”

The Hits has seen steady growth with the new networked breakfast show, Laura Sam and Toni*, while the local shows in Hawke’s Bay, Christchurch and Dunedin continue to have strong connections with their communities; which is reflected in the numbers, Buchanan believes.

“It’s fantastic to see both Coast and The Hits grow their listeners, as well as Radio Hauraki with a whopping 20,700 more people tuning in.^^”

NZME is proud to have a talented team of broadcasters right across New Zealand. Today NZME launched their Find Your Voice campaign, bringing together 36 radio talent across NZME’s stations – no mean feat to organise with different schedules and regions to consider. Check out the behind the scenes footage here.

ENDS

National sources

GfK Radio Audience Measurement, Commercial Radio Stations, Total New Zealand Survey 1 2019 (NB: Waikato Survey 3 2017), Commercial Share (%), Mon-Sun 12mn-12mn, People 10+, unless otherwise stated. Any comparisons made are done with GfK Survey 4 2018, unless otherwise stated.:

Auckland, Commercial Share (%), Mon-Sun 12mn-12mn, People 10+, unless otherwise stated. Includes in Auckland BBC, 95bFM, Humm FM and WTV’s radio stations, Chinese Radio AM936 and FM 99.4 Chinese Voice.

*Commercial Share (%) and Cumulative Audience (000s), Mon-Fri 6am-9am, People 10+.

**GfK Commercial Radio Surveys from S1 2016

^Commercial Share (%) and Cumulative Audience (000s), Mon-Fri 9am-12pm, People 10+.

^^Cumulative Audience (000s), Mon-Sun 12mn-12mn, People 10+, unless otherwise stated.

iHeartMedia March 2019

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