Radio New Zealand Programme Changes Announced

RADIO NEW ZEALAND PROGRAMME CHANGES ANNOUNCED

Radio New Zealand has announced changes to regular programme formats on National Radio and Concert FM.

The changes, effective from Tuesday 5th June, immediately after Queen’s Birthday Weekend, will see the introduction of several new programmes and the rescheduling of some existing programmes.

Announcing the changes, Radio New Zealand Chief Executive, Sharon Crosbie, said:

“Radio New Zealand has a critical role to play in challenging, informing and entertaining New Zealanders. I am delighted that additional government funding has allowed us to introduce new programmes which explore creative concepts in exciting new ways.

“As public broadcasters we walk a tightrope, constantly aware of the tension between audience aversion to change and our imperative for challenging and innovative radio.

“I am confident that these new programmes will satisfy our dedicated regular listeners while engaging an increasing audience of New Zealanders whose interests may not be served by other broadcasters. “

UPBEAT!

Concert FM will feature a new topical magazine programme on week day afternoons from 4.00pm to 6.00pm.

Upbeat! will survey both the national and international music scene, keeping listeners informed with interviews, concert previews and reviews.

Presented by Christine Argyle, Upbeat! is designed to broaden the boundaries of Concert FM with an up to the minute focus on news and views from the world of music. It will include personality profiles, comment on the New Zealand music scene, the recording industry, and short sharp behind the scenes features.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Arts and entertainment will get a boost when National Radio introduces a live-to-air arts spot each week day evening between 6.00pm and 6.30pm.

What’s Going On? will present lively, punchy, coverage of events from the world of arts and entertainment. Pre-recorded elements will feature the kind of topical, up to the minute material currently provided by Film Show, The Sampler, and Arts Week. The programme promises a feast of information across the arts spectrum, covering everything from ballet and film to drama , hard rock, literature, touring shows and exhibitions.

Presenter Lynn Freeman, is an experienced broadcaster and journalist with a background in theatre production. She has produced many freelance arts documentaries and programmes for Radio New Zealand and is currently a senior producer for Morning Report.

What’s Going On? will be produced by well known musician, script writer, television, film and theatre producer, Simon Morris. Simon will be supported by National Radio’s current Arts Week producer, Camilla Maling, who will act as specialist arts producer for the new programme.

SUNDAYS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!

Sunday Morning

There is a fresh feel to Sundays from June 10th with the introduction of Sunday Morning on National Radio. On air from 8.00am until noon with a stimulating magazine style format, the show will be focussed around several integrated features.

A vital element of Sunday Morning will be Mediawatch, a critical, analytical and investigative examination of the role of the media in New Zealand.

Electronic and print media play an important role in the development of public opinion. Presented by Russell Brown, Mediawatch will examine the degree to which the media influences our values and how we see ourselves as New Zealanders.

Mediawatch will be followed closely by The Sunday Group, a team of commentators reviewing the week that was, and Ideas, an in depth hour examining contemporary ideas and concepts.

Sunday Afternoon

Sunday afternoons will also see the introduction of two new current affairs programmes, Health Matters and Environment Matters. The programmes, scheduled for broadcast at 2.30 pm will alternate on a six week rotation.

Environment Matters is a new half-hour programme tackling a mixture of topical environmental issues, conservation and natural history from a New Zealand perspective.
Produced and presented by Veronika Meduna, it will provide a forum for leading edge activities in this critical area.

Presenter, Veronika Meduna, is one of New Zealand’s leading science journalists.
Originally from the Czech republic, she completed her degree and worked as a biologist in Germany before moving to New Zealand in 1993. In Germany, she produced a weekly television programme on environmental issues. She is currently Radio New Zealand Science reporter.

Health Matters is a weekly magazine style programme which covers topical health issues and focuses attention on developments in health techniques, treatments, and scientific research taking place throughout New Zealand.

Health Matters will be presented by Louise Wallace, an award winning reporter and journalist, with extensive experience in New Zealand and Australian television. Her credits include TV3 News anchor, Current Affairs programmes “20 / 20 “ and “60 Minutes “, and as presenter of the “Inside New Zealand” documentary series.

The programme will be produced by John O’Leary and Word Pictures.

Note to Editors:

Additional information and a full programme brief will be available for each of three new programmes.
Programme presenters will be available for interview prior to programmes going to air in June.

Ends
National Radio and Concert FM are networks of Radio New Zealand
and are funded through New Zealand On Air

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