NZME announces big changes to its host line-ups on The Hits and Coast

MEDIA RELEASE – 14 February 2020

New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) has today announced big changes to its host line-ups on The Hits and Coast.

From April, popular comedy duo Jono Pryor and Ben Boyce will host The Hits Breakfast, with the current The Hits Breakfast hosts Toni Street and Sam Wallace moving to Coast to a new powered-up breakfast show with Jason Reeves. Laura McGoldrick will present her own afternoon show on The Hits.

NZME Chief Radio and Commercial Officer, Wendy Palmer said, “NZME is home to the best radio talent in New Zealand. These changes supercharge our shows and are designed to make sure we’re looking after our audiences with our talented hosts on the best networks.

“When you line up the new breakfast teams on Coast and The Hits with Jeremy Wells and Matt Heath on Hauraki, Mike Hosking on NewstalkZB and ZM’s Fletch, Vaughan and Megan you have an incredible Breakfast portfolio right across our radio networks including Radio Sport, Flava, Mix and Hokonui.

Laura McGoldrick’s 3pm Pick Up Show on The Hits is an innovative new approach to afternoon programming. The one hour show is designed to showcase Laura’s great talent and reach an engaged audience whether they’re on the school run or just need a pick-up at work,” said Palmer.

The changes are the result of an extensive review of NZME’s radio strategy.

“We’ve taken a close look at where our audiences are and ensured our hosts are on the networks that deliver our audiences more of what they want,” said Palmer.

Today’s changes follow on from the creation last year of the successful The Hits Drive Show with Stacey Morrison, Mike Puru and Anika Moa.  An announcement will be made soon on the new Radio Hauraki Drive Show.

NZME CEO Michael Boggs said, “The New Zealand radio industry is one of the most competitive in the world. One of the keys to winning or losing comes down to talented entertainers being given the best opportunity to deliver the great content they love producing - so they can grow their audiences. The changes we’ve announced today reflect our ongoing strategic commitment to growing radio revenue and capability.

This is exciting news for our advertisers and commercial partners as we ensure our brands evolve with audience and customer expectations.”

The changes:

*The Hits Breakfast - Jono Pryor and Ben Boyce

*Coast Breakfast - Toni Street, Jason Reeves, Sam Wallace  

*The Hits 3pm Pick Up with Laura McGoldrick (3pm-4pm)

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Cliff Joiner

GM Communications

New Zealand Media and Entertainment

+64212709995

cliff.joiner@nzme.co.nz