New Zealand Media and Entertainment has announced an exciting new drive show for The Hits with much-loved radio host Polly ‘PJ’ Harding and popular Kiwi television personality Matty McLean joining the radio station’s line up in 2024.
Harding is an experienced radio host known for her time on ZM’s drive show, before moving to Australia to co-host KIIS FM’s breakfast show in Melbourne. McLean is a well-known media star and television presenter best known for his role as co-host on TVNZ’s Breakfast.
Mike McClung, NZME Chief Content Officer – Music Brands, says NZME is home to the best radio talent in the country, and he’s thrilled to be adding to its brilliant stable of hosts with Harding and McLean joining The Hits.
“PJ and Matty are both incredibly talented, award-winning broadcasters who ooze the X factor. Together they’re going to be a formidable duo. We’re really pleased to have them on board at The Hits to complement our fantastic line up of hosts including Jono Pryor & Ben Boyce, Megan Papas, and our talented presenters in regions across New Zealand,” says McClung.
Harding says she’s stoked to be back with NZME – the place where her radio career began with an internship at ZM back in 2011. “I feel a bit like I’m returning home! And I’m really looking forward to joining Matty and The Hits team in the new year. It’s an awesome station that plays great music and I can’t wait to be back on New Zealand’s airwaves on The Hits,” she says.
McLean says: “Finally this face-for-radio is where it belongs! I’m so excited to be joining The Hits in 2024 with PJ. She’s an absolute radio legend and has been a great friend of mine for years - we’ve even filled in together on air in the past. So, to get the chance to hang out with one of the funniest, unfiltered people in broadcasting every day is a dream come true. This is going to be fun. Bring on 2024!”
Michael Boggs, NZME CEO, says the addition of exceptional talent like Harding and McLean speaks to NZME’s focus on having the most loved to and listened to content, ensuring its audiences are always the focus and providing them with the best hosts on the best networks in the country to meet their listening needs.
“I’m confident that 2024 is going to be a fantastic year for NZME and for our radio and digital audio business in particular. Supported by a hugely talented group of people on air, we will continue to increase our listener numbers, deliver revenue growth, inform and entertain our audiences, and provide the very best commercial opportunities for our customers,” says Boggs.
The Hits line up for 2024 is now complete, with Megan Papas joining Jono & Ben on the breakfast show from 22 January 2024, current Wellington daytime host Hayley Bath taking over the Auckland daytime show, and Polly Harding and Matty McLean hosting The Hits drive show in the new year.