The final GfK Commercial Radio Survey of 2025 has been released today by the NZ Commercial Radio Industry, with solid radio audiences complimenting a very positive year overall for NZ audio. Survey 3 reported Total Commercial Radio cumulative audience at 3.327 million listeners per week. This is broadly consistent with the cumulative audience reported in the last audience survey of 2017, highlighting the long-term stability of radio listening.


The Radio Bureau CEO Alistair Jamison says: “Our linear audiences continue to show resilience and when combined with the incremental audiences that we know we are generating from our digital platforms, audio offers advertisers a powerful, cost-efficient audience on an ongoing basis. Importantly with proof points like our ANZ and Analytic Partners case study we know it also drives tangible results for advertisers.”

Wendy Palmer, MediaWorks Chief Executive Officer says: "Audio continues to deliver strong results for audiences and advertisers alike. Looking at annualised cumulative audiences across the three surveys in 2025, audio reached 3.410 million kiwis on average each week this year. We’re incredibly proud to continue delivering high quality entertainment and advertising options throughout the country via our network and local stations, where we connect deeply with everyday New Zealanders."

Chief Executive Officer of NZME, Michael Boggs adds: “2025 has been a strong year in terrestrial radio but also digital audio, with Infinite Dial showing the growing strength of local digital platforms. We're particularly proud of iHeartRadio's growth over the past two years. In 2025 we have seen ongoing investment and enhancement of both local platforms and as a result we expect to see digital audiences and advertiser support continuing to flourish in 2026.”


In closing Alistair Jamison adds: "2025 has been a great year for audio from the point of view of audience, proven effectiveness and investment in iHeartRadio and rova, so it is pleasing that the market is recognising the opportunity in audio. As shown by SMI all year, radio has outperformed the market with revenue growth that has exceeded the overall media market, and we thank all those who have supported TRB across 2025.”

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