NZME wins Auckland key market as part of a study on commercial radio

Newstalk ZB, Radio Sport, ZM and other NZME radio stations once again won the key Auckland battlefield.

Newstalk ZB maintained its dominant position as the most-watched radio station in Auckland and across the country, according to the latest poll by independent commercial radio GfK,

The Mike Hosking Breakfast Show was number one both nationally and in Auckland and Early Edition, along with Kate Hawkesby and Marcus Lush Nights, also reigned to perfection in his time frame.

Leighton Smith's Show Morning is also number one in Auckland.

"This time of year is traditionally silent for radio broadcasts, the fact that we have more listeners than we did a year ago is very satisfying," said Jason Winstanley, responsible from the discussion to NZME.

"The lunch Mike Hosking never fails to deliver, extending his dominance once again and I am especially pleased that Leighton Smith will become number one in Auckland – what an extraordinary career he has had."

Smith retires from organizing a daily ZB show at the end of this year, but will still produce a podcast for listeners.

The NZME's IHeartRadio continues to grow from year to year with another sharp 19% increase, reaching just under 820,000 registered users

The NZME also publishes the NZ Herald newspaper.

"If you consider that the global audience of NZME on paper, radio and digital has 3.2 million people and you add the scope of iHeartRadio, no matter which demographics you want to target, the NZME offers a proposal very strong, "said Matt Promontory.

Winstanley said that Radio Sport – also owned by the NZME – had a huge sum in 2019 with netball, rugby and cricket preparing for the world cup.

"It's going to be particularly exciting for fans to be the biggest sporting year we've seen for quite some time."

Dean Buchanan, director of the NZME Entertainment group, also paid tribute to Simon Barnett of MORE FM, who joins Newstalk ZB with co-host Phil Gifford in the middle of next year.

"Like Newstalk ZB's Leighton Smith, Simon has had an amazing career with MORE FM – he can pull out of music radio in Christchurch in the front row – we look forward to welcoming Simon and Phil Gifford to Newstalk ZB mid -2019, "said Buchanan.