ZB still talk of the town for radio fans

Newstalk ZB, Radio Sport, ZM and other NZME radio stations have once again won the key battleground for the Auckland airwaves.

Newstalk ZB has maintained its dominant position as the most listened to station both in Auckland and across the country, according to the latest GfK independent commercial radio survey.

Meanwhile, the Mike Hosking Breakfast Show was number one both nationally and in Auckland and Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby and Marcus Lush Nights also reigned supreme in their timeslots.

Leighton Smith’s Morning show is also number one in Auckland.

“This time of the year is traditionally quiet for talk radio so the fact we have more listeners now than we did a year ago is very satisfying,” says NZME’s head of talk Jason Winstanley. “The Mike Hosking Breakfast never fails to deliver, extending its dominance yet again and I’m particularly thrilled that Leighton Smith bows out as number one in Auckland — what a stunning career he’s had.”

Smith is retiring from hosting a daily ZB show at the end of this year but will still produce a podcast.

NZME’s iHeartRadio continues to grow year on year with another strong 19 per cent increase to just under 820,000 registered users.

NZME’s group director entertainment, Dean Buchanan, also paid tribute to More FM’s Simon Barnett who will join Newstalk ZB with Phil Gifford. “We’re very much looking forward to welcoming Simon and Phil to Newstalk ZB mid-2019,” he said.

NZME also publishes the NZ Herald.