Radio to join newspaper

Project manager Rob Paris, foreground, with contractor Paul Barratt, work on the new Hits radio station being built in the Northern Advocate premises on Robert St.

The Hits is expected to be broadcasting from a new studio by the end of this month.

Planning started late last year to shift The Hits radio station from its Banks St premises to 88 Robert St, home of the Northern Advocate, as part of an efficiency exercise, said project manager Rob Paris of broadcasting specialist company AVW.

"APN bought the Radio Network and is looking to consolidate their interests where possible into the one building."

Northern Advocate general manager Greg Alexander said having The Hits in the same building as the advertising and news team made good commercial and news sense.

"It's a better strategy all round for our advertising matrix.

"Effectively, having all our channels under the one umbrella means we can provide advertisers, listeners and readers with a better service."

The shift was modelled on a similar project involving the New Zealand Herald and associated radio stations as well as the Rotorua Daily Post and The Hits station. NZME is siting all its radio stations with newspapers, where practical, with planning under way for Hawkes Bay Today and Bay of Plenty Times to house their associated radio stations.

Whangarei's The Hits will continue broadcasting from its Bank St premises until the new station is completed.