MediaWorks Radio are geared up for an exciting and busy year launching a nationwide radio brand, growing its Adult Contemporary/Pop station MORE FM and refreshing some of its show line-ups.
Following securing 27 radio spectrum licences in a December auction, MediaWorks will turn George FM into a nationwide radio brand, extend Mai FM's footprint into 12 markets and launch a new nationwide radio station in 2015.
The dominant player in New Zealand's commercial radio market, with a 56.6% share of the 25-54 demographic, compared to competitor NZME's 31.9%*, MediaWorks invested $7.4 million to attain the 27 licences, which will last until 2031.
The networked also retained a number of key strategic frequencies for its other radio brands in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-operated auction.
MediaWorks Group Chief Executive Mark Weldon, said the result of the auction is a game changer for the commercial radio market.
"There are three key planks to our growth strategy. Securing these frequencies means George FM will be broadcast in Wellington, Palmerston North and Dunedin as well as Auckland. Mai FM will become the only nationwide Hip Hop and R&B radio station."
"We have [also] acquired a new national radio network, and will launch a new station on those frequencies in 2015," said Weldon.
MediaWorks Radio Chief Executive Wendy Palmer, said the new frequencies would benefit both listeners and advertisers.
"This is a spectacular result, and enables us to further extend the reach of our radio brands for the benefit of both listeners and advertisers," said Palmer.
MEDIAWORKS TO INCREASE LOCAL AIR TIME ON MORE FM
MediaWorks Radio have unveiled a two-fold strategy for growing its Adult Contemporary/Pop radio station MORE FM.
The strategy pairs increased air time in regional markets with the launch of the radio station's first nationwide Drive show, hosted by renowned broadcaster Jason Gunn and Lana Searle.
This year, MORE FM listeners will hear local announcers and shows in most markets from breakfast through until 3pm, and the best nationwide content between 3pm-midnight.
In Manawatū and Nelson, where regional Drive shows have been presented by Justin Evans and Blair Kiddey respectively, the two announcers will move to the workday shift of 10am-3pm.
Content Director for the MORE FM Network Christian Boston, said the station is unmatched in its strong suit for local radio.
"There's no question that's [not] a huge part of our success."
"That's why [this] year we'll broadcast even more local hours - up to 10 hours per day in some markets - and invest further in our regional strategy," said Boston.
Boston said a means for MORE FM listeners around the country to connect on a national level has been neglected.
"What has been missing is a way for MORE FM's family of listeners from around New Zealand to connect on a national level. Our new Drive and Night shows will address that by bringing a national flavour to our schedule, and with it new opportunities for listeners and advertisers."
"Lana Searle, Jason Gunn, Simon Barnett, Gary McCormick, Joe Cotton and Shawn Cleaver are national talents, and I'm looking forward to sharing them with our audiences all across New Zealand," he said.
The new drive show which will be hosted by Gunn and Searle and networked from Christchurch, will air 3pm-7pm weekdays and began yesterday.
An hour of highlights from Barnett and McCormick's top rating Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch and Nelson breakfast show, titled 60 Minutes, will follow at 7pm.
A new nationwide night show presented by Joe Cotton and Shawn Cleaver will follow 60 Minutes between 8pm-midnight.
To find out the line-up of shows and announcers in your region, visit MoreFM.co.nz.
THE ROCK, THE SOUND REJIG ANNOUNCERS
Announcers of the breakfast and workday radio shows on stations The Rock and The Sound, are set to be rejigged from this week.
The Sound, which plays Classic Rock music and music from the 1960s – 1980s, has been one of MediaWorks' fastest growing radio brands since it launched in 2012, including winning Station of the Year at the New Zealand Radio Awards in 2013.
This year, it will be boosted by the addition of what the network are citing as "two major broadcasting stars".
Multi-award winning announcer Leah Panapa will move from The Rock to join Mark McCarron and Geoff Bryan as co-host of The Sound breakfast show; and Tracey Donaldson will become the new announcer of The Sound workday show after 14 years of hosting the popular No Repeat Workdays on The Rock.
The refreshed line-up for The Rock sees cricket commentator Simon Doull re-joining the station's Morning Rumble breakfast show, in place of Panapa.
Doull returns to The Rock after a six year absence, during has led SKY Sport's cricket commentary team. Also new to the Morning Rumble will be Jennifer Bainbridge, who is currently the host of The Sound workday shift, as the show's newsreader.
Leon Wratt, Group Content Director of Music for MediaWorks Radio, said the announcer changes will strengthen both radio brands.
"On The Rock, the refreshed Morning Rumble will sit alongside our new Jono and Ben Drive show, while The Sound changes represent a significant opportunity for us to further extend our market position with Leah and Tracey, two of our most talented broadcasters who will bring great value to the station."
"Welcome back, of course, to Doully, and to Jen who joins The Rock team in the New Year," said Wratt.
Both Panapa and Donaldson have been with The Rock for 14 years and are excited with the opportunity to move to The Sound.
"I'm very proud of The Rock and to have been part of The Morning Rumble for over a decade! It is pretty hard to get up every morning at a sparrows fart, and then [try] and be entertaining, and I think we have achieved that," said Panapa.
"I am now really excited [not about the getting up early part… again] to join The Sound with Mark McCarron and Geoff Bryan. The Sound team are passionate and driven and has a clear objective of where they want to go, and I truly believe this is the beginning of something great!" said Panapa.
"After 14 years I made the decision to make a change, and am so excited to have the opportunity to stay within MediaWorks while indulging my love of music radio. I'm proud to be leaving on a high, having taken the Workday to number one nationwide,** and to be working alongside my former Rock colleagues Leah Panapa and Robert Taylor at The Sound is the icing on the cake," said Donaldson.
Charlotte Ryan, who previously hosted breakfast and drive shows on Kiwi FM, is the new host for The Rock workday show, which airs 10am-3pm.
* TNS New Zealand Commercial National Survey 2-2014, Station Share (%), 25-54, Mon-Sun 12mn-12mn
** TNS New Zealand Commercial Survey 2-2014, National Station Share (%), All 10+, Mon-Fri 10am-3pm
Source: Press Release - MediaWorks
Be the first to comment