Sound salvation

Morale at RNZ National has slumped as ratings languish and a scathing review urges drastic change. But is radio really a medium in decline?

- GREG BRUCE

In April, Radio New Zealand marked 100 years of the national public radio service by launching scholarships to help future journalists train and – in a nod to how much audience preferences have changed – a podcast series. At the same time, its flagship programme on RNZ National, Morning Report, celebrated turning 50. But what may have been a vintage year for the country's public service broadcaster quickly turned sour, and the performance and audience-share of RNZ National is now under fierce scrutiny.

After a long-sought budget boost in 2023, the government cut RNZ's budget this year by 7%; belt-tightening of the same magnitude is promised for the next three years.

One of the casualties of RNZ's drive to reduce costs is Tahi.fm, its much-vaunted effort to grow a younger audience. The youth platform was closed on November 6 after its music and culture mix failed to attract listeners. Its axing is part of a series of cuts to RNZ National, including the scrapping of shows such as Sunday Sampler and the At the Movies film review segment. Veteran arts producer Mark Amery has lost his co-hosting role on Culture 101 as the Sunday afternoon show downsizes.

The air of upheaval now extends to RNZ National's flagship Morning Report programme, with Corin Dann leaving his co-hosting role to replace the retiring Gyles Beckford as business editor.

Dann's departure has fuelled much media speculation – should his replacement be in the capital or in Auckland, where RNZ apparently needs to shore up its dwindling audience? Would the choice of a more provocative or right-leaning host stem the drift of people who regard the station, particularly Morning Report, as too left wing, or too politics obsessed?