MediaWorks’ Auckland-based talkback, news and sport radio network Today FM, deviated from its usual programming this morning amidst concerns about the station’s future.
Duncan Garner and Tova O’Brien, hosts of the morning shows, informed listeners before 9am that the station and staff were being cut, and they were instructed to play music.
O’Brien expressed that the station had not been given a chance and staff were betrayed, despite having support from the Chief Executive, Board, and Executive.
Garner added that other staff had joined the hosts in the studio and some were crying. He also explained that radio is a project that requires time to build ratings and revenue, but the company was losing money.
Shortly after, the station began playing music. Show producer Tom Day tweeted that the Mediaworks board proposed shutting down Today FM and gave the staff until the end of the afternoon to submit their proposals.
Speaking to media outside the MediaWorks, Day told reporters that he and his colleagues were “gutted” and “disappointed”.
Today FM’s website is advising there will be an update on the station’s future in an announcement at 5pm today.
