NZME and Partners Win Auckland

Market Delivers Strong Result With Over 3.4 Million Commercial Radio Listeners

NZME and Partners Win Auckland

5 July 2018 – The latest 2018 GfK independent commercial radio survey has highlighted the strength of radio as a medium, with a phenomenal 3.4 million commercial radio listeners tuning in. NZME is also celebrating its strong results winning the prestigious Auckland crown with its partners, growing its listeners and its overall market share*, particularly in the main metro-cities. NZME’s chief commercial officer, Matt Headland says the result is significant for the radio industry as well as NZME.

“The last commercial radio survey was strong but reaching over 3.4 million listeners via radio is just remarkable. We’ve grown audience in all demographic groups 18 years and older and when you combine these results with our radio partners, we have over 2 million listeners, an incredible 60% of the total commercial radio market. But what’s more remarkable is whencombined with the additional media platforms (print and digital), NZME connects with 3.3 million people across New Zealand.”

Headland says the main cities are exciting for NZME. “Obviously winning Auckland rates highly but combined with NZME’s results in Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga and Dunedin it’s a great day – NZME’s upward momentum continues. iHeartRadio continues its consistent growth with digital radio listening now part of our everyday life. With NZME’s strength across traditional radio and audiences listening digitally, advertisers need to put their dollars where they are most effective.”

iHeartRadio delivered 23% growth year on year with over 776,000 registered users and an average of 2.9 million listening hours (up 28% year on year) each month.

Standouts for NZME include Newstalk ZB which retains its number one station overall across New Zealand*, along with the Mike Hosking Breakfast Show being number one again**. This outstanding result was repeated in Auckland.

“These results reflect a huge six months for Newstalk ZB, with the launch of new shows and a dedicated, relentless focus on covering the big issues and setting the news agenda,” said Shayne Currie, who heads up NZME’s News and Sport. “Whether it’s high-quality news coverage, informative commentary and analysis, or being on hand at major events like the Royal Wedding, our listeners have come to expect a first-class radio experience. The dominance of the station and Mike Hosking at Breakfast is outstanding. For Mike to be in his 10th year as number one, is world-class.”

NZME’s group director entertainment, Dean Buchanan says of NZME’s music brands Mix deserves a special mention.

“Mix is our newest station making this survey result even more impressive. Mix continues to grow its audience and for the first time rates higher than The Rock, George FM, Magic and Radio Live in Auckland*. Mix also increased in its regional markets with the highlight being Whangarei, where the station is number one in the 25-54 demo, on a whopping 21.3% share.”*

Buchanan says other highlights include Coast who is the New Zealand’s number one Music station (all people 35 plus)*.

“ZM is once again proving its popularity with millennials posting great results around the country, in its key 18-39 target demo^. I’m stoked for Radio Hauraki; Matt Heath, Jeremy Wells, Leigh Hart, Jason Hoyte and the team, beat The Rock and George FM in Auckland, in both Breakfast and Drive***. It’s another solid book for The Hits and once again, Sarah, Sam and Toni have more listeners than Polly and Grant in Wellington^^. The urban music cycle continues to be strong with both Mai FM and Flava having excellent results. Flava increased its share across every show in Auckland*, adding almost 18,000 listeners.”

NZME’s Radio Survey video can be found here.
ENDS

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