I personally think mediaworks will always continue a talk station in some capacity as it would be a stupid managerial decision to just give over the audience to ZB 100% it would be silly to not make ZB fight for the audience.
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Mediaworksâ new-ish CEO has said in an interviews back in March that MW is committed to News and Talk, of course since then theyâve axed the overnight talk show⌠
âMy view is that New Zealand, as a society, is changing and we need to move and change with it. That doesnât mean we want to be a hard-left talk news station. It just means weâve got to be respectful of views and have an open and robust exchange of ideas.â
How Magic Talk fits into that objective is yet to be determined, but MediaWorks is undertaking an extensive review to find an answer to that question.
âWe are looking into how we move forward in that segment. It will probably be something different and it might be another station. It might be two more stations. We are still looking into how we reposition that brand.â
Wallace says further details on the stationâs future will be released in two to four months as part of a broader strategic overview of the MediaWorks business, which spans radio and outdoor media properties.
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mediawworks ârovaâ app has added some new stations
the rock has a legends of rock channel
ie classic rock as well as a kiwi rock channel
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Aucklandâs East Fm is now on iHeart Radio
East FM 88.01 - 107.1
NZME has purchased 106.4FM Nelson for $210,000! Looks like Newstalk ZB will be making the switch to FM from 1341AM sometime soon.
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At the same time, MediaWorks has acquired 94.9FM Otematata for $12,100 and 97.4FM Mackenzie Country for $11,550. Brian FM will expand to Otematata after acquiring 106.1FM for $10,350.
Newstalk ZB currently broadcasts to Nelson on an AM frequency (1341AM) and it is intended that information seekers will rely on FM radio for news and talk, rather than AM radio.
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If only Mediaworks knew that, perhaps they would put Magic Talk on FM in Auckland.
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What about Christchurch?
Newstalk ZB does pretty well in Nelson, considering itâs still on AM!
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Magic Talk would be wasted on FM over one of the music brands.
Does well in the Dunedin market as well where it is still AM only.
As far as I am concerned Newstalk ZB is still on AM in Northland, Rotorua, Tokoroa, Gisborne, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin and Southland.
Definitely not, given itâs often shortened to ZB.
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MediaWorks has today announced the appointment of Dallas Gurney as its Director of News and
Talk.
Dallas is a former editor-in-chief and general manager of Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport and was a
key member of NZMEâs Radio executive team. Most recently Dallas was the managing director of
communications agencies DRUM and ROCKET and crisis communications consultancy Serious. He
has won many industry awards, including 12 New Zealand Radio Awards.
MediaWorks CEO Cam Wallace says itâs an exciting time for MediaWorks to appoint Dallas to the
role of Director of News and Talk as it looks to strengthen its news and talk offering.
âDallas has extensive experience in developing content strategy and a deep understanding of
audiences, as well as a fantastic track record of leading teams and broadcasters to deliver best in
market on-air and digital content. We look forward to having Dallas join the team as we work to
bolster news and talk at MediaWorks.â
Dallas Gurney says, âRadio has always been a huge passion and part of my life. Thereâs now a whole
new generation looking for great original and local audio content, so I feel very excited and
privileged to be joining the MediaWorks team when so much opportunity lies ahead."
MediaWorks is looking forward to welcoming Dallas Gurney to the team on 20 September.
MediaWorks would also like to congratulate Magic Talkâs Ryan Bridge who has been announced as
the new host of The AM Show and welcome Lloyd Burr to MediaWorks as its new drive show host.
Lloyd has recently returned to New Zealand following an almost three and a half year stint in
London as Newshubâs Europe Correspondent. Prior to that he was a Newshub political reporter in
Wellington, and a political reporter for Radio Live before that.
Lloyd Burr says, âIâm so stoked to be back on home soil with a new challenge. Radio has always
been my first love, and Iâm chomping at the bit to get back into it.
âBeing abroad for the last three and a half years has reminded me that New Zealand is the best
country in the world, with the best people too. I canât wait to hear their stories, and share mine. Itâs
going to be magic.â
Lloyd Burr will join Magic Talk at the end of September.
Meanwhile, Magic Talk Mornings host Peter Williams has decided to retire. At the age of 67, and
after nearly half a century in the media industry, he wants to enjoy a life with fewer commitments.
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What a big shake up
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Dallas Gurney - new Head of News & Talk
Ryan Bridge - AM Show host
Leah Panapa - Mornings host
Danny Watson - Afternoons host
Lloyd Burr - Drive host
Graeme Hill - Nights host
Peter Williams retired on Friday.
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Reckon thereâs more to come here.
Perhaps a rolling news style format as they do in US/Canada?
Leah in mornings fees a little temporary.
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That confirms Mediaworks commitment to talkback then. It is here to stay.
Will be interesting to see what the next steps are. This lineup will probably see out the year and then announce the 2022 lineup and change of direction.
His radio stint has definitely changed the way I view the man. Off he goesâŚ
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big changes ahead then??
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@Rod_Van_Alphen With Duncan Garner left and Peter Williams now retired, listeners of Magic Talk will notice a change in programming.
Ryan Bridge has made the move from drive (4-7pm) to early mornings (6-9am), and becomes the new AM Show co-host alongside Amanda Gillies and Mark Richardson. Ryan has been an integral part of Magic Talk in the drive time slot and will continue to ask tough questions and drive high quality conversation on The AM Show with effect from this week.
Leah Panapa has replaced Peter Williams in the 9am-noon slot, who has decided to retire and has left the show as of last Friday (3 September).
With Leah moving to 9am-noon, Danny Watson will host a solo talkback show, also starting today (6 September) and running from 12-4pm.
Journalist and former Europe correspondent for Newshub Lloyd Burr, who has just returned from London recently, will become Magic Talkâs new drive host (4-7pm) and Graeme Hill will return to nights on Magic Talk (7-10pm) later this month.
The announcement comes after MediaWorks, which owns and operates Magic Talk, announced the appointment of Dallas Gurney (from NZME) as its Director of News & Talk.
The revised weekday schedule for Magic Talk is:
- 6-9am: The AM Show (Ryan Bridge, Amanda Gillies & Mark Richardson)
- 9am-12pm: Leah Panapa
- 12-4pm: Danny Watson
- 4-7pm: Lloyd Burr
- 7-10pm: Graeme Hill
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