The first survey results this year for New Zealand have been released.

The radio audience data reveals that over 3.7 million New Zealanders listen to radio every week and almost 3.5 million of those listen to commercial radio stations.

While 2020 saw declines of around 15% in radio revenue as the impacts of COVID were felt by the sector, audiences have held up in 2021.

Radio Broadcasters Association CEO Jana Rangooni says: “There is some irony in this for the industry as more and more New Zealanders of all ages turned to radio for trusted news, information, music and entertainment with most stations seeing cume increases from the same time last year.”

TRB GM Peter Richardson noted: “The survey once again demonstrates radio’s ability to reach a critical mass of New Zealanders who listen to commercial radio each and every week. When one adds in the effectiveness of the medium and the ability to respond rapidly it is clear why radio remains an important medium for advertisers. In the last year, the Government’s COVID messaging has made good use of these strengths of radio.”

82% of the New Zealand population aged 10+ tune in to radio each week

Newstalk ZB retained its top commercial network position across the country, with a 12.3% share of audience.

The Breeze was placed second nationally, with 9.5%, followed by Magic on 9.3%.

The Edge was the most listened to network nationally with 652,200 weekly listeners, just ahead of The Breeze and Newstalk ZB.

Newstalk ZB had the top rating breakfast show with a 16.8% share of the national audience.

Click the chart to enlarge it.

View each market’s individual figures below.

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