Newstalk ZB Retains Most Listened to Radio Station

Newstalk ZB Retains Most Listened to Radio Station in New Zealand

RADIO LISTENERS CONTINUE TO INCREASE

10 November 2016 – The big winner of the third 2016 GfK independent radio survey is radio itself as it continues to grow listeners. NZME Chief Commercial Officer, Laura Maxwell says the result continues from the last survey and is fantastic news for the industry.

“More than 3.2 million people listen to radio^ and in the last four months, total radio listeners have increased again, up 38,300^. This signals that radio is highly relevant and resonating with audiences. Radio is instant, mobile and social and given those qualities align with digital media, it’s no surprise that more New Zealanders are turning to radio to be entertained, informed and give their opinions on what matters to them. NZME Advertisers can connect with 1.8 million^ listeners when they wake up, during the school pickup and on the drive home from work. Radio is a highly relevant channel for advertisers and the audience is growing.”

NZME’s Newstalk ZB continues to dominate the Total NZ market and the Auckland market as New Zealand’s most listened to radio station*, as does The Mike Hosking Breakfast, which retains its number one Breakfast spot nationally and for Auckland**.

“Newstalk ZB has not only led the way since 2003***, which is a phenomenal legacy, but as a radio brand it has set the gold standard of best practice,” says Shayne Currie, NZME Managing Editor, who leads NZME’s news and sport brands. “Our announcers across the day and on weekends (Rachel Smalley, Mike Hosking, Leighton Smith, Kerre McIvor and Mark Dye, Larry Williams, Marcus Lush, Jack Tame, Tony Veitch and Andrew Dickens)*^ dominate their nearest news rivals. It’s also pleasing to see Radio Sport growing its total audience nationally^;capitalising on a huge sporting year.”

NZME’s Group Director Entertainment, Dean Buchanan says many of the NZME entertainment brands are continuing to grow listeners with ZM, Radio Hauraki, Coast, Mix and Flava all increasing their total audience nationally^. Buchanan added that it was particularly pleasing to see Coast’s result with the refresh resonating in such a short space of time.

“Over the years Coast has always been a consistent performer and the changes to the music mix, their new ambassadors and the announcement of our new line up of announcers, are all paying dividends in Coast’s younger 40-59 demographic^. Flava has continued its revival and fittingly in Hauraki’s 50th year it is enjoying its most listeners across New Zealand since 2012^^.”

Buchanan adds that iHeartRadio continues to get stronger by the month with 501,484+ registered users, (up 23% year on year) and with663,532++ app downloads, (26% increase year on year). iHeartRadio listening hours are up 40% year on year to 2,132,392+++.

Maxwell reinforced that these are impressive statistics which advertisers are taking advantage of, enjoying the targeting that iHeartRadio offers.

“Across the NZME platforms of print, radio and digital, advertisers can reach over 3.2 million## people in New Zealand, making NZME a great integrated solution.”

ENDS

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