Mediaworks's blog

RadioLive’s new Drive show begins on Monday 3 December, with Duncan Garner as host of the 3pm-6pm programme.

The face of 3 News’ political reporting for nearly ten years, Duncan is trading in the halls of parliament for the RadioLive studio. His new show will mix current affairs and breaking news with a range of entertaining and popular features, including the latest in food, wine, gardening, music, and film.

Garner’s infectious energy and enthusiasm, combined with a razor sharp intellect and the ability to get to the bottom of every story, means weekday afternoons are guaranteed to entertain and inform. Continue reading »

Hayley Holt has been announced as the new co-host of the More FM Breakfast show, joining Marc Ellis and Stu Tolan from January 2013.

Well known for her television work, Hayley has worked with Marc previously.

“I’m picking my mornings are going to be a lot more fun,” says Hayley. “Get ready for good times ahead and watch out Marc, you’ve met your match!”

More FM Network Programme Director Ande Macpherson commented:

“Hayley will be a great asset to the breakfast show with her down-to-earth sense of humour and girl-next-door attitude. We’re looking forward to having Hayley on board in the New Year.” Continue reading »

MediaWorks TV is delighted to welcome Rachel Cormack as Director of Research and Insights.

Rachel joins MediaWorks TV from Television New Zealand where she is currently General Manager Research.

Prior to this role Rachel has extensive experience in the Advertising and Media industry in New Zealand and Australia. Continue reading »

Between September 20 and October 1, 2012, MediaWorks is making a number of technical changes to the way TV3, FOUR, and C4 are broadcast.

These changes could affect your reception of TV3, FOUR and C4 and the MyFreeview series link functionality for programmes on those channels.

These changes are not part of the switch to digital TV which starts in Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast of the South Island on 30 September and continues across the rest of the country through until 1 December 2013. Continue reading »

The MediaWorks board has released the following statement regarding the speculation around a restructuring proposal.

The Board of MediaWorks notes there has been recent speculation about the status of the restructure process.

The Board of MediaWorks advises that it recently received and is supportive of a proposal provided by its major shareholder Ironbridge and private equity investor and senior lender TPG who are now working together and have reached agreement on a joint restructuring package for the Company.

The details of the joint restructuring package remain confidential but in broad terms it offered a significant cash injection which will pay off the Crown spectrum loan in full and fund various programming and sales initiatives already identified by the Company. Continue reading »

MediaWorks TV has confirmed it will be increasing its investment in local programming in preference to renewing the company’s CBS output deal.

Long term it will see millions of extra dollars invested in locally made programmes, including some of the network’s biggest projects to date, The Block NZ (currently in production), and the local version of The X-Factor, which gained momentum this month with the appointment ofAndrew Szusterman and John McDonald as project leaders. Continue reading »

Radio Live has appointed Duncan Garner as permanent host of the 3pm-6pm Drive show.

Duncan starts his new role on 1 December, leaving the gallery, where he is the 3 News Political Editor.

Jana Rangooni, General Manager – Talk Brands, MediaWorks Radio, says Duncan brings a rare combination of news acumen, and great personality and flair to his new role.

“Duncan is one of the most entertaining people in the news media but most people outside the business have yet to see this side of him,” she says. Continue reading »

MediaWorks TV is recruiting for a Director of Sales to replace Linda Farrelly, who has resigned and is taking complete time out for six months.  She will rejoin the company in a consultancy capacity later in the year.

Linda Farrelly said: “I have loved my time as Director of Sales, and have been privileged to lead one of the most dedicated and committed media sales teams in the country.”

Ms Farrelly has led the sales division through a number of important developments in the company, and has been part of the highly successful launch of MediaWorks Integration, a parallel sales team whose focus is on securing revenue through brand-funded content such as New Zealand’s Next Top Model and The Block, 2011’s successful relaunch of C4 as broad entertainment channel FOUR, and the appointment of Richard Fenner to the newly created position of Business Development Director.

Her announcement comes as MediaWorks reports year-on-year growth of +2.7% for the quarter ending December 2011, outperforming the market which had total growth of +1.3%.   

“After more than 16 years of dedicated service, Linda certainly deserves this time out, and we accept and support her decision,” said MediaWorks Group Managing Director, Sussan Turner.

The recruitment process is being managed by Richard Manthel for Robert Walters New Zealand.

MediaWorks has announced that Paul Henry’s last day as host of the station’s drive time show will be Friday 17 February.  

The broadcaster originally planned to continue his hosting duties on RadioLIVE until the end of March, but this proved logistically impossible given the realities of his new Australian role as host of the upcoming Channel Ten breakfast programme.

After February 17, Henry will become RadioLIVE’s Australian correspondent, filing reports daily, and will continue to work on projects for TV3. 

Henry says he is hatching plans to make his swansong as a radio host as memorable as possible.

“My time at RadioLIVE is one of the best jobs I have had, and I want to say a proper goodbye to my listeners,” he says.

“I am disappointed that I couldn’t continue with the drive show as planned, but am looking forward enormously to getting back into the studio next week.”

Henry will spend the weekend after his radio stint recording new episodes of TV3 comedy panel show Would I Lie To You?  The new series, which he hosts, premieres on Sunday 12 February at 7pm.

RadioLIVE says a permanent replacement is not expected to be made until April.  Until that time, the show will be hosted by Brent Impey, with Rodney Hide filling in on occasion.

The station is Inviting listeners to nominate who they’d most like to hear Paul Henry interview in his final week, by visiting www.radiolive.co.nz.

Loveable Kiwi bloke, sports star, TV presenter, world record holder, author and entrepreneur Marc Ellis can now add radio host to his resume. The former All Black turned broadcaster and businessman is taking a day job hosting the MORE FM Auckland breakfast team.

Marc will be joined by TV personality Amber Peebles and award winning radio announcer Stu Tolan, when the new look Auckland MORE FM breakfast kicks off at 5.30am on Monday, 7 November on 91.8FM.

Marc Ellis says taking on breakfast radio will be a new and enjoyable challenge.

“I really enjoyed hosting MORE FM breakfast a few months back and thought I wouldn’t mind doing this each day. I’m a morning person and finishing radio mid morning allows the remainder of the day to work in and on my other businesses and projects. It certainly was fun spinning a few yarns in the morning and I’m looking forward to getting this thing up and running in November.”

MediaWorks Radio Group Programme Director, Andrew Szusterman, added:

“If there is one guy who was made for radio it’s Marc. As a company we’re really excited he’s coming to work with us, and matching him up with Amber and Stu will no doubt will see a shakeup of Auckland breakfast radio.”

Ande Macpherson, MORE FM’s Network Programme Director, says:

“This is a really exciting team that we are putting into the coveted breakfast slot.

“Amber is no stranger to radio having worked at The Edge and her week on MORE FM earlier this year showed she is a strong minded woman who really can connect with people.

“Stu is already well loved by MORE FM listeners and is the ultimate host who can make sure everything runs smoothly.”

The catalyst for change was Jeremy Corbett’s resignation earlier in the year. The outgoing breakfast team of Jeremy, Joe Cotton and Peter Dakin finished on air on Friday 21 October. Both Joe and Peter will continue to be on-air. Joe will present the MORE FM Network Night Show from October 23 (covering for Lee Plummer, who is on maternity leave), while Peter Dakin will continue to host at sister station Solid Gold.