Newstalk ZB

Newstalk ZB is a New Zealand talkback radio network which produces talkback radio programmes from Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. It is almost available in every radio market in the country, and has news reporters based in most of them. The station was formed from the ZB network that had previously been operating as a public radio network broadcasting music, owned by Radio New Zealand as its commercial arm. This was sold off by the Government in the mid 1990s, and is now part-owned by US-based Clear Channel as part of the Radio Network of New Zealand , otherwise known as TRN. Other TRN stations include Classic Hits, ZM and Radio Sport.

Newstalk ZB News

Newstalk ZB operates one of the largest radio news operations in New Zealand, with newsrooms in all the main centres and reporters in many smaller ones. As well as providing news bulletins for TRN's own brands, it also provides a radio bulletin service for dozens of smaller, independent stations around the country. Newstalk ZB News is one of the country's main producers of news for the Internet, providing a text service along with streaming audio for Telecom Xtra , TelstraClear and the New Zealand Rugby Union among others.

Programmes

Newstalk ZB's talkback radio format has been established over a number of years, and features the country's highest-paid broadcaster Paul Holmes, who has been the station's breakfast presenter since 1987. Other daytime presenters include Leighton Smith, Danny Watson and Larry Williams. The station also has a strong emphasis on sport, with veteran sports presenters Murray Deaker and Peter Montgomery .