NZME is capitalising on country music's unprecedented global growth
Responding to the massive surge in country music popularity worldwide, New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) has today announced the exciting launch of a dedicated country music station, iHeartCountry New Zealand on Friday 9 May – marking a pivotal expansion of the company's audio portfolio.
Initially ad-free, iHeartCountry New Zealand will be available via NZME's market-leading digital audio app iHeartRadio and broadcast across FM frequencies in Auckland, Northland, Gisborne, Nelson, Christchurch, West Coast and Wānaka.
The new station will feature an extensive playlist of hits from global country music superstars including Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Keith Urban, Dasha, Kane Brown, Megan Moroney and Jason Aldean, alongside homegrown New Zealand talent such as Kaylee Bell.
Jason Winstanley, NZME Chief Audio Officer says: "We’re so excited to be launching iHeartCountry New Zealand, filling what we see as a significant gap in our local audio landscape. Country music is experiencing a massive surge in growth globally, with mainstream audiences embracing the genre like never before.
“Recent sold out shows from artists like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen and Chris Stapleton in New Zealand demonstrates the strong and growing appetite for country music here. NZME is proud to be a trailblazer in introducing a dedicated country music station to the market and I have no doubt it's going to be hugely popular."
Kim Boshier from Sony Music New Zealand said: "Country music has always had an audience in Aotearoa, but in recent years it's finally gained mainstream popularity, which is great for all of us. We’re seeing local artists like Kaylee Bell achieving remarkable success, while international country stars are drawing bigger audiences than ever before. Having a dedicated platform for country music in New Zealand will further fuel this momentum and provide a home for both established and emerging country artists."
Legendary NZ concert promoter Brent Eccles from Eccles Entertainment says: “Yes…! I’ve been telling anyone who will listen for a couple of years now, that someone should start a country music station in NZ and it makes me feel all warm inside that it's finally being done. Lots of great country artists are coming down to New Zealand and Australia now and this will be compelling reason to have them play here. Add to this our amazing local country talent and it all adds up to a bloody good idea.”
Michael Boggs, CEO of NZME, says the launch of iHeartCountry New Zealand perfectly aligns with NZME’s strategic priorities to grow its audiences.
“This addition to our audio portfolio strengthens our position to be the country's leading audio company and allows us to connect with new audiences while offering our advertising partners access to an engaged and passionate listenership. By identifying this gap in the market and responding to changing listener preferences, we're demonstrating our commitment to delivering content that resonates with New Zealanders."