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Mediawatch

RNZ
New Zealand
RNZ
TVNZ
NZME
Donald Trump
Wellington
Artificial Intelligence
Broadcasting Standards Authority
Stuff
Auckland
RNZ National
Media Ethics
Gaza
New Zealand Herald
Australia
Tom Phillips
Social Media
Media Bias
New Zealand Economy
Media Coverage

There's never a shortage of opinions on the media but Mediawatch looks at it all in detail for those keen to know more about the news - as well as those who work in media.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes1017Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Mediawatch

Latest Episodes

The Phillips report the media have been waiting for. Also: CRL is go, media mascot v mascot, live election event tension & the hyrox horror

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

YouTube

The media seized on the politics of food this week, when the Greens floated state-owned supermarkets and 1News lifted the lid on emergency food grant refusals. Also: who pays when journalism dies? And does it really matter if it does?

Go to this epi... more

YouTube

TVNZ takes Stuff exec for next news chief - next year, the legacy of a long-serving cartoonist, mascots make a marketing comeback, Sky TV offside again with fans again for live foul-up

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

YouTube

Odds from Polymarket are popping up in our news, even though it's illegal here. But are prediction markets a legit source of news anyway? Also: head-to-head clashes between politicians, and with presenters, are heating up, but not always generating l... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Marcus Beveridge
Managing director at Queen City Law
Queen City Law
Episode: Political head-to-heads hot up, are prediction markets legit news?
Colm Peacock
Mr. Midweek Mediawatch himself, guest discussing media trends
Mediawatch host, RNZ
Episode: Midweek - rugby hype & outage outrage, ratings & results, Whakaata Māori
Cameron Harland
Chief Executive, NZ On Air
NZ On Air
Episode: Political twitch on taxing big tech, Kiwis' media maturing?
Pat Brittenden
Media commentator invited for discussion on the big hearing news and elections debates
Independent media/Podcasting
Episode: Midweek - RNZ shrinks as web stats soar, alt-media . . . & old-media?
Antony Young
Publisher, The Media Lab (Wellington)
The Media Lab
Episode: Political policy pile-ups, TikTok’s impact, gigs get gross
Stuart Nash
New Zealand First candidate, former MP
New Zealand politics
Episode: Midweek - Stuff cuts, Nash exits & podcast profits, funflation & gigs gone to sh*t
Adam Dudding
Long Story Short co-creator, journalist
Long Story Short (with Eugene Bingham)
Episode: Political dignity deficits, Long Story Short & paying for podcasts
Michael Holland
Reporter for Seven Sharp
Seven Sharp (TVNZ)
Episode: Midweek - FIFA v golf, Argie aggro, more war, McGruers of Marton
Joanna Norris
Head of masthead publishing at Stuff
Stuff
Episode: Paul Henry’s unveiling, Sam Neill stops the news, Stuff’s new local plan

Hosts

Colin Peacock
Host of Mediawatch with a long-standing role analyzing NZ media, often contributing investigative and editorial perspectives.
Susanna
Co-host specializing in media critique and editorial analysis, frequently contributing to coverage of NZ media dynamics.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 350 ratings
  • Vital

    Shovelling against the tide ain’t easy, but Colin P does it well. If ever a show deserved funding to expand…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    festooned13
    New Zealand16 days ago
  • Great podcast

    Love this podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jason the Evangelist
    Australia3 months ago
  • Mediawatch is my sanity check

    The composure of the hosts, in these trying media times, is praiseworthy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Elby One
    New Zealanda year ago
  • My favourite RNZ show.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Scotty
    2 years ago
  • Regional news

    The programme today on news outlets in Whanganui was outstanding and so important. I’m a Wellingtonian looking forward to future programmes on more regional news outlets.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mediawatch fan
    New Zealand3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show for its calm, rigorous analysis and open-minded critique of media systems.
Audiences value the practical, insider perspectives on newsroom dynamics and governance.
Fans appreciate the show as a reliable, sharp beacon for NZ media and global comparisons.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#165
New Zealand/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#33
New Zealand/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Political twitch on taxing big tech, Kiwis' media maturing?
Q: When was the decision made to pull that member's bill?
The answer given in the episode is not a direct public timeline, but the discussion centers on the political sensitivity around streaming service taxes and the difficulty of keeping such policy on track, suggesting the decision was tied to broader election priorities and shifting political commitments.
Midweek - rugby hype & outage outrage, ratings & results, Whakaata Māori
Q: I'm not really a rugby guy, but I want to talk about the hype.
Colm explains that the hype around the All Blacks vs. Springboks series is a mixed blessing, recognizing its drawing power for audiences while also acknowledging skepticism about whether the branding matches on-field reality.
Political policy pile-ups, TikTok’s impact, gigs get gross
Q: How does TikTok factor into the political advertising strategy for younger voters?
The guest suggests TikTok serves as an enabler, offering reach to younger audiences at a lower cost and providing a platform for parties with smaller advertising budgets to explain policies more deeply than traditional campaigns would allow.
Opportunity knocks, The Post’s Tracy Watkins
Q: What prompted Tracy Watkins to move from journalism to a lobbying role, and how does she frame that pivot?
She describes it as a mid-career pivot after 40 years, moving into a role adjacent to journalism where she can address long-term economic and policy issues, now working with Business NZ.
RNZ chair’s hot seat, Opportunity’s backlash, political tax tussles
Q: What are the most important priorities for RNZ under the new chair, Brent Impey?
Impey outlines four pillars: boosting audience numbers, building trust, growing digital reach, and making the news app the leading platform, with a focus on measured performance across all channels.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Mediawatch

What is Mediawatch about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, media-focused program that analyzes how news and current events are reported, framed, and consumed. Across recent episodes, the show maps the intersection of journalism, politics, technology, and policy, often spotlighting governance, trust in media, and the economics of publishing. Notable for its international and domestic comparisons, it frequently features industry experts, editors, and researchers to provide contextual insights on media integrity, platform dynamics, and the business side of journalism. The format tends to balance rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling, making it useful for listeners who want a clear sense of how media shapes public discourse and policy. A standout strength is its ability to connec... more

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How many listeners does Mediawatch get?

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How many subscribers and views does Mediawatch have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Mediawatch?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Mediawatch:

1. Gone By Lunchtime
2. The Detail
3. Cross Party Lines
4. At Large with Toby Manhire
5. Saturday Morning

How many episodes of Mediawatch are there?

Mediawatch launched 20 years ago and published 1017 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Mediawatch?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Mediawatch?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Mediawatch from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Mediawatch?

Recent guests on Mediawatch include:

1. Marcus Beveridge
2. Colm Peacock
3. Cameron Harland
4. Pat Brittenden
5. Antony Young
6. Stuart Nash
7. Adam Dudding
8. Michael Holland

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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