Newstalk ZB
Broadcast area | New Zealand |
---|---|
Frequency | See article |
Programming | |
Format | News and talk |
Ownership | |
Owner | NZME Radio |
History | |
First air date | 1926 |
Links | |
Webcast | Auckland Wellington Christchurch |
Website | Official website Corporate website |
Newstalk ZB is a nationwide New Zealand
Newstalk ZB operates one of the largest news operations in New Zealand, with over 50 newsreaders, reporters and editors nationwide. It operates a news centre in
. Most of Newstalk ZB's programming is produced in the NZME building in Auckland.History
1926–1987
The history of Newstalk ZB dates back to 1926 when Auckland station 1ZB was first started initially broadcasting on 1070AM, the station moved to 1090 kHz in 1931, 1190 kHz[1] in 1933 and 1080 kHz in 1978. The station's brand name was the station's call sign 1ZB. A ZB station was established in the four main centres of New Zealand as 1ZB Auckland, 2ZB Wellington, 3ZB Christchurch and 4ZB Dunedin. Up until 1987 the four ZB stations were music stations running a mixture of local and networked content. Each other individual station on the Newstalk ZB network has its own history with most stations starting out as a local AM radio run by Radio New Zealand.[2][3]
1ZB originally operated from Broadcasting House, a purpose-built modernist theatre and studio building on Durham Street, from 1941 until its demolition in 1990.[4][5]
1987–1996
In the mid 1980s, 1ZB Auckland lost a number of its key on-air personalities to privately owned
During the late eighties and early nineties Radio New Zealand switched many of their local heritage stations to FM but retained the AM frequency in each region running the same programme on both frequencies. Following the success of the talkback format in Auckland a decision was made to switch 2ZB Wellington and 3ZB Christchurch to a talkback format in 1991. At the same time new FM music stations were established in Wellington and Christchurch, these stations were B90 FM (Wellington) and B98 FM (Christchurch). In the early nineties many of the Radio New Zealand local stations that had switched to FM began running morning talkback shows on the AM frequency while continuing to play music on the FM frequency. In 1993 and 1994 the local Radio New Zealand station in some regions were rebranded with the
1996–2002
In 1996 Radio New Zealand sold their commercial operation and Newstalk ZB, along with Classic Hits and
2002–2009
Newstalk ZB's Auckland audience dropped dramatically in 2002 as music radio stations became more popular, raising questions about the future viability of the network.[6] However, in 2013 the station had the highest market share of any commercial station nationwide.[7]
Race relations commissioner Joris de Bres received a record number of complaints about the issue, a record later broken by a racially polarising and profanity-laden letter written by Hone Harawira.[10] The comment also set a precedent, when former All Black Andy Haden faced calls to resign as a 2011 Rugby World Cup ambassador, after apologising for describing Pacific Island rugby players as "darkies". Prime minister John Key and sports minister Murray McCully said both Haden and Holmes used the word "darkies" in similarly offensive ways, and the public needed to forgive them in similar ways.[8]
Artist Ralph Hotere responded to Holmes' "cheeky darky" comment with a series of artworks. One, White Drip to Mister Paul Holmes, was a 2.7-metre long piece of corrugated iron painted in black, with a drip of white paint extending nearly the full length of the work. 'To Mister Paul Holmes' is stenciled on the top of the piece, which is now one of his signature works.[11] Holmes was apologetic and regretful about using the phrase, but later argued there was a fine line between humour and offense.[12] The phrase featured on a commemorative tea towel,[13] and fellow broadcaster John Hawkesby remembered Holmes as a "cheeky little whitey" at his funeral in 2013.[14]
Holmes left his morning breakfast show at the end of 2008, and was succeeded in the role by Mike Hosking.[15]
2009–2011
The network went through a process of restructuring during the
Following the Christchurch earthquake on 4 September 2010 and the major aftershock on 22 February 2011 programming in Christchurch was greatly affected. After both earthquakes the station broadcast in place of other radio stations in Christchurch operated by The Radio Network, the local studios located in Worcester Street in Christchurch were evacuated. Local news services in Christchurch were replaced temporarily with the network news feed which mostly contained news stories related to the quake heard by all of New Zealand. Local news readers reported news about the quake for all of New Zealand.[18]
The local morning show remained on the air but was broadcast from a temporary location. Following the first earthquake this was at the
2011–present
The TNS T2 2013 commercial radio survey showed the network had 11.4% of audiences aged over 10, and had the most listened-to breakfast show in the country. It came as Rachel Smalley became host of the newly created Early Edition programme.[7] The same survey in 2014 showed Newstalk ZB lost 0.3% market share but gained 7,600 listeners during a time when other NZME radio stations were in decline.[19] It has also been observed that ZB and Mai FM are the only stations that can be received by car radios in used imported cars from Japan — of which New Zealand is a large market – due to the Japanese FM band spanning 76–90 MHz instead of the standard 88–108 MHz band.[20]
Host Rachel Smalley apologised in April 2014 after describing New Zealand women over 72 kilograms as "heifers" and a "bunch of lardos" during an ad break when she believed her microphone was off. The comments were reported and criticised in several local and international media outlets, including news.com.au and the Daily Mail.[21][22][23] In a tearful apology the following morning, she described her comments as deeply offensive, stupid and judgemental and said she deeply regretted her choice of words.[24] The Broadcasting Standards Authority rejected complaints against the comments, saying they were neither calculated nor deliberate.[25]
Blogger
The Broadcasting Standards Authority upheld a complaint about an editorial on the
According to
In late September 2023, NZME launched a paid digital subscription platform called ZB PLUS. Blogger Phillip Crump (who is also known by the pseudonym "Thomas Cramner") was named as the editor of ZB Plus.[39][40]
News
Newstalk ZB operates Newstalk ZB News from its Auckland news centre, producing live bulletins for the national ZB network. Wellington and Christchurch both broadcast live local news bulletins during the breakfast show, Auckland has live local bulletins at 7.00am and 8.00am, and other stations carry network bulletins every half-hour from 5am to 12am and hourly from 12am to 5am. Regional newsrooms previously provided each station with local news segments during the breakfast show. Newstalk ZB's pip sting, headlines segmented bulletin structure and "Keep up with Newstalk ZB" tagline were removed in December 2014, replaced with a single continuous bulletin, new theme music and "Now You're in the Now" tagline.[41]
The news service covers stories, from industrial relations to prisoner rehabilitation.[42][43] It extensively covers crime and court proceedings, but was criticised for publishing a wire story about the verdict against lawyer Davina Murray in 2013.[44][45] Network weekday newsreaders include Niva Retimanu (Breakfast) and Kay Gregory (Evenings/Overnights).
History
Newstalk ZB News began as Independent Radio News (IRN), a news service played on most independently owned and operated radio stations in New Zealand during the 1980s and 1990s. The majority of New Zealand radio stations not owned by Radio New Zealand (RNZ) used this news and sport service usually followed by the station's own local news and weather forecast.
In 1996 RNZ sold its commercial operation and
By 2000 a large number of independent radio stations had been taken over by
Since 2016 a single news bulletin sourced from the NZME newsroom is heard on every NZME radio station (apart from Newstalk ZB) during breakfast and other parts of the day.
Affiliate Service
The Newstalk ZB Affiliates Unit is based in the Auckland newsroom, and records a variety of hourly bulletins for other stations of NZME Radio and sells its bulletins to a number of external clients including Radio 1XX – One Double-X in Whakatane and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.[citation needed]
Stations
These are the frequencies for Newstalk ZB:
- Kaitaia – Maungataniwha – 105.1 FM
- Kaikohe – Ōhaeawai – 1215 AM
- Whangārei – Otaika – 1026 AM
- Auckland – Henderson – 1080 AM
- Auckland – Sky Tower – 89.4 FM
- Waikato – Eureka – 1296 AM
- Waikato – Ruru – 97.0 FM
- Tokoroa – Wiltsdown – 1413 AM
- Bay of Plenty – Paengaroa – 1008 AM
- Bay of Plenty – Kopukairua – 90.2 FM
- Rotorua – Tihiotonga – 747 AM
- Taupō – Tuhingamata – 96.0 FM
- Gisborne – Wainui – 945 AM
- Taranaki – Mount Egmont – 96.4 FM
- Hawke's Bay– Pakowhai – 1278 AM
- Hawke's Bay– Mount Threave – 90.3 FM
- Whanganui – Kaitoke – 1197 AM
- Manawatū – Kairanga – 927 AM
- Manawatū – Wharite – 100.2 FM
- Wairarapa – Waingawa – 846 AM
- Kāpiti Coast– Forest Heights – 89.5 FM
- Wellington – Tītahi Bay – 1035 AM
- Wellington – Kaukau – 89.3 FM
- Blenheim – Cavalier House – 92.1 FM
- Nelson - Grampians - 106.4 FM
- Nelson – Stoke – 1341 AM
- Westport – Cape Foulwind – 1287 AM
- Westport – Waterworks Road – 95.7 FM
- Greymouth/Hokitika – Paparoa – 103.5 FM
- Greymouth & Hokitika 105.9 FM
- Christchurch – Ouruhia – 1098 AM
- Christchurch – Marshland – 1017 AM
- Sugarloaf– 100.1 FM
- Ashburton – Winchmore – 873 AM
- Ashburton – Somerset House – 98.1 FM
- Timaru – Fairview West – 1152 AM
- Oamaru – Weston – 1395 AM
- Wānaka – Mount Maude – 90.6 FM
- Queenstown – Peninsula Hill – 89.6 FM
- Alexandra – Obelisk – 95.1 FM
- Dunedin – Highcliff Road – 1044 AM
- Southland– Dacre – 864 AM
The Newstalk ZB programme was simulcast on the former Radio Sport network frequencies following the closure of that network on 30 March 2020. There were break-outs for Super Rugby Aotearoa[46] and selected ANZ Premiership netball match commentaries on the following Newstalk ZB Sport branded frequencies:[47]
- Whangārei – 729 AM
- Auckland – 1332 AM
- Hamilton – 792 AM
- Tauranga – 1521 AM
- Rotorua – 1350 AM
- Taupō – 107.7 FM
- New Plymouth – 774 AM
- Napier – 1125 AM
- Wanganui– 1062 AM
- Manawatū – 1089 AM
- Wairarapa – 87.6 FM
- Wellington – 1503 AM
- Nelson – 549 AM
- Blenheim – 98.5 FM
- Westport – 91.7 FM
- Greymouth – 89.9 FM
- Christchurch – 1503 AM
- Ashburton – 702 AM
- Timaru – 1494 AM
- Dunedin – 693 AM
- Invercargill – 558 AM
The former Radio Sport frequencies were rebranded as Gold AM[48][49] on 1 July 2020. Match commentaries continue as part of Gold AM programming.
Other services
Timesaver Traffic
The Newstalk ZB Timesaver Traffic Centre produces and records traffic updates for all New Zealand Media and Entertainment stations. These updates for Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Hawkes Bay, Wellington & Christchurch air every 15 minutes during peak breakfast and drive time slots, and hourly throughout the day and weekend on Newstalk ZB.
Promotions
Newstalk ZB runs regular promotions for movie previews and local events.
Notices and cancellations
ZB stations have a long-running history of running notices for events and community groups. Cancellations for club and school sports events and recreation clubs have traditionally been broadcast every 30 minutes during breakfast in many markets.[58][59]
Website
The Newstalk ZB website combines on-demand content with breaking news coverage. The network's Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch streams are all available on the iHeartRadio website and app.[60]
References
- ^ "Grid Bias" (30 November 1933). "New Wavelengths 1-Dec-1933". The Evening Post. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "The Rate Race" (Television programme). nzonscreen.com. NZ On Screen. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ ISBN 9780730491866.
- ^ Chris Bourke (28 February 2020). "1ZB Radio Theatre: the Art Deco years". Audioculture.
- ^ "Broadcasting House, Auckland". Te Ara / Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
- ^ ISBN 0170124800. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- ^ a b Young, Victoria (4 October 2013). "Newstalk ZB on top – latest figures". National Business Review. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ Fairfax New Zealand. The Press. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- APN News & Media. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- NZPA. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- Otago University. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
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- Fairfax New Zealand. Stuff (company). 8 February 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/high-rating-holmes-prepares-to-leave-zb/MUVCM5K3CQPMMW2NMXSBE6F6EM/
- NZPA. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- NZME. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Matthews, Philip (15 March 2014). "Talkback's Chris Lynch". Stuff (company). The Press. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ Gibson, Campbell (3 October 2014). "Radio survey results: changes cause slight slip for NZME. stations but Newstalk ZB still supreme". National Business Review. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ Alan Perrott (22 April 2004). "City's ears like Mai FM". The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ "Shelley Bridgeman: Why did Rachel Smalley say that?". The New Zealand Herald. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Diana Witchel: Making a Mockery". New Zealand Listener. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Television presenter Rachel Smalley apologises". News.com.au. 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Rachel Smalley calls Kiwi women a bunch of lardos". Stuff (company). 2 April 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Rachel Smalley lardos complaint rejected". Stuff (company). 15 September 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Whale Oil on Newstalk ZB". Cameron Slater. 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Whale Oil on You Tube". Cameron Slater. 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Mike Hosking: Cunliffe lights nobody's home". July 2014. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Slater's Robertson jibe cleared by BSA". GayNZ.com. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "More Digging in a Dirty Hole". Your New Zealand. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ Giovanni Tiso (October 2014). "Dirty Journalism". Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Dirty Politics". Pantograph Punch. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- 3 News. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ISBN 978-1743602324.
- ^ Eastwood, Vinny. "Vinny with kerre Woodham Hacks mainstream air time on Newstalk ZB!". The Vinny Eastwood Show. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Newstalk ZB Wellington Call about "Veganism", actually Evolution". archive.org. Internet Archive. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ ""RoastBusters" – call to Newstalk ZB talkback". police.govt.nz. New Zealand Police. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ Roxborough, Tim (18 January 2015). "The Characters of Newstalk ZB". Roxborough Report. Tim Roxborough. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- NZME. 26 September 2023. Archivedfrom the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ Sowmand-Lund, Stewart (9 November 2023). "ZB boss discussed possible relationship with founders of The Platform". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ Lake, Dan (28 December 2014). "AUDIO: New news sting for Newstalk ZB". dannews.co.nz. Dan News. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Newstalk ZB First Union". firstunion.org.nz. First Union. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Newstalk ZB: Retirees called to help ex-prisoners". pars.co.nz. PARS Incorporated. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ Anderson, Jock (24 July 2013). "Media find Davina Murray guilty". National Business Review. nbr.co.nz. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- Whale Oil. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Live sport returns to New Zealand radio on Newstalk ZB". The New Zealand Herald. 8 June 2020. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020.
- ^ "Newstalk ZB Sport". NZME Radio. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020.
- ^ "NZME eyes powerful demographic with launch of Gold radio station". The New Zealand Herald. 22 June 2020.
- ^ Gold frequencies list
- ^ "Newstalk ZB Competitions". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ "2014 Waikato Special Children's Party" (PDF). TRN-SCCP. January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Newstalk ZB Sponsored Food Drive". Lower Hutt Foodbank. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Heatwave – A summer series". NZ Music. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "All I Want For Christmas". ASB Bank. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ John Smythe (2004). Downstage Upfront: The First 40 Years of New Zealand's Longest-running Professional Theatre, Wellington: Victoria University Press.
- ^ Ania Loomba, Martin Orkin (2013). Post-Colonial Shakespeares, London: Routledge.
- ^ "Our Sponsors". Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust. 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Newstalk ZB What's On". Newstalk ZB. 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Sports Ground – Cancellations". Paremata Plimmerton Softball Club. 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ^ "Newstalk ZB on iHeart". iHeartRadio. 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.