Sources said the changes would see almost all jobs at Concert go, with the station moved from FM to AM with no presenters.
RNZ is understood to have proposed making 18 redundancies. 17 new jobs could be created.
The new music brand would be based in Auckland and would launch during the second half of this year, broadcasting on FM nationwide and online, “on demand” as well as in a streamed format.
Also:
“Mediawatch understands the new youth platform would have a playlist spanning multiple musical genres with a heavy focus on New Zealand music. It would be active on social media.”
Concert is a rather dated format, which is struggling to retain new listeners BUT it does fill a real market not commercial venture would touch and that should be what RNZ is there for.
I have concerns, as I’ve mentioned before, that the youth format isn’t doing what The Edge/ZM and most importantly, BFM and RDU are already. Hard to know until a format is announced. Bc
The format is going to cover all genres with a focus on nz music indie artists I guess it will be similar to 88 nine in Milwaukee, indie102.3 in Denver, Colorado & similar to CBC Music in Canada.
18-35 is the demographic I won’t sadly fit into that age group but hey I will listen.
Yes it’s a shame that concert will be going off fm but will be online, etc & on glorious AM Radio but as the RNZ Charter says to cater to all age groups & for the last 50 + years only the older generation listens to RNZ Stations
The music will be mood based like Spotify playlists.
RNZ is basically looking ahead to the next 10-15 years now than continuing to a dying audience that’s concert
With the lack of concert on fm from August when the new station takes over the fm frequency’s, what’s stopping mediaworks or nzme starting a classical station like in the uk Bauer Media’s Scala Radio which caters to a youngish Audience
I really don’t see the point of chasing the youth market, especially when they predominantly stream music (especially those within Concert FM frequency coverage), and when they have a bunch of music stations that already cater to them. RNZ already failed with ‘The Wireless,’ and I doubt having something like that on FM would gain much of an audience. There’s nothing in RNZ that really says “youth” and I can’t understand why they’re so hammer-and-tongs keen to get them to listen.
There isn’t a classical alternative, and yes the audience for it is shrinking, so why not expand on that content already, update the playlist to include musicals and the like, include music documentaries and even the odd radio entertainment show. No one else in NZ is doing that… make a few tweaks and see what happens.
RNZ shifted the Church Hymns from National to Concert 7-8 years ago with barely a murmur, which proves they can make changes without alienating the die-hard classical mob.
Basically, yes to change, but not too much of it at once., and advertise the bloody thing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a billboard, back of a bus or anything for RNZ Concert, let alone National. Did they do any campaigns for The Wireless? Can anyone remember? Was it just social?
A summary of what’s going on can be found on Mid-week Mediawatch last night. Only takes 5 minutes.
I kinda wonder if RNZ are trying to strong-arm the govt. into giving them a cash injection, because I can’t see how they can run a new station alongside the others without running Concert right into the ground. More funding could bring those reserved “youth network” frequencies into use, meaning they don’t have to cannibalise Concert for Youth. Who do Concert listeners vote for? How many sleeps until the election? And should have i thought of a third question?
EDIT: And another thought I had, Concert returning to AM will displace Rhema’s Star coverage (they currently use the downtime when Parliament isn’t sitting), and thus shut off a path of revenue for RNZ by leasing out that time. I assume Rhema were paying RNZ something for it?
i can see it being like Triple J in australia targetting the 18-35 something
the likes of zm/more/the edge do but i am not sure RNZ would be able to compete as people may not break existing habits depends on the format
Have added the Reserved Youth Frequencies (in gold), if only they could light them up for the purpose in areas where RNZ National already broadcasts (excluding Tiny Town infill).
Just recently, Mai swapped frequencies with The Sound on 98FM. Mai can now be heard on the new, low powered frequency of 107.3FM in Whangarei or via live streaming on rova, although most listeners in parts of Northland may not be able to receive Mai.
Yes, you’re correct, which is why I used the word “Reserved,” in my post.
To be honest, I’ve been banging on about these frequencies being released for ages. Given the social media posts from Helen and Grant above, perhaps it will finally happen.
the ABC has the same mindset, in that they too want to get rid of ABC Classic FM. If RNZ is successful, the ABC may make another big push. I suspect they’ll make Classic a digital only station + streaming. They might also convert Classic in the cities to the AM frequencies currently used by Newsradio & put Newsradio on FM.
There have also been rumours about putting ABC Local Radio on FM in the capital cities (exc Darwin, which is already on FM) in an attempt to try & capture more younger listeners who might not switch to AM.
That would be a real shame… I like been able to drive for a couple hundred kilometres and listen to the 50 Kilowatt Blowtorch that is 612AM Brisbane and hear the latest news and info without having to consistently find the next ABC FM frequency
