Audience Growth For Radio New Zealand

Audience Growth For Radio New Zealand

A nationwide audience survey conducted by Research International shows that Radio New Zealand has attracted its highest cume audience in the last 5 years with both networks, National Radio and Concert FM, showing strong audience growth.

More than one in five New Zealanders aged 15 years and over listen to National Radio or Concert FM in any given week with 606,100 people now tuning in each week.

National Radio remains New Zealand's number one radio station in terms of nationwide audience market share among people aged 15 years and over. The share is 11.7%, compared to last year's share of 11.1%.

The Research International survey is designed to measure Radio New Zealand network audiences and the company compliance with its Charter. The latest survey was carried out from mid May to early July with results being measured Monday to Sunday, midnight to midnight.

National Radio and Concert FM have attracted their largest audiences for several years.

Actual radio audiences for National Radio are 518,100 listeners aged 15 years and over, which compares to 494,700 listeners in 2003. Concert FM attracts an audience of 168,000 listeners in an average week in 2004, up on its 137,400 listeners last year.

Radio New Zealand's news service has again performed very strongly, with a listener satisfaction rating of 91%. Less than 1% of listeners expressed any dissatisfaction with the news service.

Commenting on the survey results, Radio New Zealand Chief Executive, Peter Cavanagh, emphasised the importance of the company performance in a fiercely contested radio market.

"This is a wonderful survey result for Radio New Zealand. The increases in audience we've achieved - in the most fiercely contested radio market in the world - clearly demonstrate how highly the people of New Zealand value quality public service broadcasting.

Overall our audiences are up more than 8% on last year and National Radio has further enhanced its position as the country's number one radio station with all people over the age of 15.

After a number of years of declining audiences, Concert FM has performed magnificently this year increasing its audience by more than 22%.

The excellent levels of satisfaction for our news service are a ringing endorsement of our role as the pre-eminent provider of fair, balanced and reliable news and information to the people of New Zealand."

Editors please note: An analysis of key findings from the 2004 Research International Radio New Zealand audience survey accompanies this release.

MEDIA INFORMATION

AUDIENCE GROWTH FOR RADIO NEW ZEALAND

Results from the latest Research International survey of New Zealanders on their radio listening habits show that National Radio and Concert FM together are listened to by 606,100 people aged 15 years and over in an average week. The survey was carried out from mid May to early July 2004 and is designed to measure Radio New Zealand network audiences and the company compliance with Radio New Zealand Charter obligations.

Radio New Zealand Audience Increases

Results show that National Radio and Concert FM together attract 606,100 listeners aged 15 years and over in an average week. (Monday to Sunday, midnight to midnight.) This represents 21% of the total population aged 15 years and over.

National Radio Audience Increases

Actual radio audiences for National Radio are 518,100 listeners aged 15 years and over, which compares to 494,700 listeners in 2003. This is the highest cume audience since 2001.

Concert FM Audience Increases

For Concert FM, audience has also increased with 168,000 listeners in an average week, up from 137,400 listeners in 2003. These results are the highest since 2000, and reverse the downward trend shown for the station in recent years.

Station Share

National Radio is the number one station in 2004 in terms of station share nationwide among people aged 15 years and over. National Radio has the largest market share among people aged 15 years and over of any radio network in New Zealand with 11.7% (Monday to Sunday, midnight to midnight). This is an increase on its share of 11.1% in 2003.

Charter Compliance

Programming on National Radio and Concert FM is meeting Radio New Zealand's Charter obligations. Audience satisfaction remains very high against Charter criteria:

- 87% of listeners consider Radio New Zealand provides a comprehensive news service. Only 2% do not agree - (the remainder are neutral or unsure).

- 86% of listeners think that RNZ broadcasts programmes not generally found on other radio stations.

(This is a key part of the organisation's Charter requirements.)

- 82% of listeners consider RNZ provides fair and balanced information.

- 82% of listeners think RNZ promotes informed debate.

Network Programming Performance

Radio New Zealand has achieved excellent listener satisfaction results. 89% of National Radio listeners are satisfied with programming on the network. Only 1% are dissatisfied. (The remainder are neutral in their opinion ). Results for Concert FM show 78% are satisfied with programming and just 3% dissatisfied.

News Programmes

When National Radio listeners were asked how satisfied they are with the station's news service, a high 91% said they were satisfied and just 1% said they were dissatisfied.

Individual programme results from the survey are still being analysed.

Details of the Radio New Zealand audience survey will be included in the Radio New Zealand Annual Report to be published in November.

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