ZM (New Zealand)

ZM (New Zealand)

ZM (pronounced zed-em) is a New Zealand contemporary hit radio network owned by The Radio Network. It broadcasts 19 markets throughout mainland New Zealand via terrestrial FM, and worldwide via the Internet. The network targets the 15–39 demographic specialises in a chart-music playlist of pop, rock, hip hop and dance music. It reaches approximately 378,700 listeners weekly, making it the fourth largest commercial radio station in New Zealand.

The ZM network as it is today was founded in the early 1970s as three separate commercial music stations owned by Radio New Zealand in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The name is derived from the former callsigns of the stations: 1ZM, 2ZM and 3ZM – Z denoting a Radio New Zealand commercial station and M for Music. The stations were carved off to The Radio Network in 1996, and ZM spread across the country, originally as three separate networks before finally merging to form one nationwide network in 2009.

The network's head office and main studios are based in Auckland, where most of the programming is produced. The ZM Morning Crew breakfast show is a notable exception, being produced in Wellington. Each market produces its own advertisements and individual continuity.