The Mike Hosking Breakfast

I hope if you read it or caught it over the weekend you enjoyed the coverage of Newstalk ZB's 100th birthday.
I can tell you for nothing it is an honour and a joy to be a small part of what has become this country's greatest radio success story.
Although it has taken various iterations over the years, from a fledgling operation limited in hours by the Government through to the publicly listed operation it is today, there are very, very few companies in this country that have stood the test of time and been as successful as we have for that whole period.
One of the ironies of the success is that many companies that haven't made it got overtaken in some way by progress; technology, AI, change of customer habits, and yet radio despite having been written off so many times, has not just survived but boomed.
The radio industry in general in this country is in remarkable health. Yes there have been changes and re-shapings, expansions and retreats, start-ups and close-downs. But the industry has broadly consolidated into what it is today; profitable and used in some way by the vast, vast majority of New Zealanders each and every day.
And at the top of the pile is us.
As far as I know it remains an industry that has more stations per head of population than anywhere on Earth.
We de-regulated the industry and for a while you could buy a frequency for about three cents and start your own station. Many did because why wouldn’t you? Have a crack.
However talk radio is expensive and that’s why, comparatively, not as many had a go and as history shows us those who did venture into the area ran into trouble.
Part of the issue was Newstalk ZB. ZB has been so good for so long the truism is that to make a mark you have to find a weakness. They couldn't find one, or at least not a big enough one.
Critics often argue the ZB audience is rusted on. That is to insult the audience and show an ignorance for quality.
Part of ZB's success is never taking the audience for granted and you do that by forever looking to improve, never resting and always pushing a little harder.
The audience isn't rusted. It just hasn’t had a good enough reason to dabble elsewhere.
Longevity is the other trick. Well, longevity and consistency. The Newstalk ZB breakfast show has had two hosts in 40 years. No one comes close to matching that.
It has produced some of the greatest names the industry has ever known. It's covered the news and told our stories.
It's reflected this country and its journey better than anything and anyone.
The good news is I honestly feel not only are these its best days so far, but there are, at 100, more and better ones to come.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 10th of August, Steven Joyce answers questions about whether National has credibility issues calling for Budget responsibility while increasing spending.
The Prime Minister talks what new taxes they might be looking at and council amalgamation and what councils are holding out.
Jason Pine and Andrew Saville discuss the Warriors, David Nyika's win and how long Canterbury will now hold the Ranfurly Shield for.
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Saville and Jason Pine join Mike Hosking to review the weekend's sport.
On the table today: The Warriors have pulled off a dominant display over the Panthers, beating them 28 - 12.
Canterbury have stolen the Ranfurly Shield from Otago.
And the NBL saw some thrilling games over the weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors strengthened their push for the top with a decisive win over the Panthers 28-12.
The NRL's top four are now log-jammed as the battle for a top two spot ramps up ahead of the finals.
The Panthers and Roosters sit level on 36 points, the Warriors on 34 and the Sharks have 32.
Warriors CEO Cameron George said he's 'incredibly proud' of the team and the fans.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's brushing off concerns it has a reputational problem over debt - as it lays out new fiscal responsibility rules.
The party's promising a surplus by 2028/29 and Government spending below 30% of GDP - while ruling out new taxes on working people and small businesses.
Leader Chris Luxon told Mike Hosking that there's a choice between austerity and stimulation, but he believes it's years of government stimulus that has the country in its current mess.
He says they've plotted a third way, prioritising discipline around spending.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.