iHeartCountry

What iHeartCountry does

iHeartCountry is a New Zealand country music radio station operated by NZME Radio Limited, a subsidiary of NZME (New Zealand Media and Entertainment). Launched in 2025 and headquartered in Auckland, the station broadcasts across more than 20 FM frequencies nationwide, establishing it as the only dedicated country music FM format in the New Zealand market. It is also distributed internationally via the iHeartRadio streaming application, extending its reach beyond terrestrial broadcast to global digital audiences. Programming includes dedicated blocks such as Kiwi Country, which focuses on New Zealand country artists, and iHeartCountry Acoustic, a sub-stream targeting the acoustic segment of the genre.

The station's content offering is anchored by commercial partnerships with Live Nation for concert and live event integration, NZ On Air for public funding of local music content development, and direct integration into the iHeartRadio ecosystem for streaming distribution. It also extends into on-the-ground live music activation through sponsorship of events such as the Strummingbird Festival, and runs seasonal programming tied to NZ Music Month. The combination of terrestrial FM reach, global streaming distribution, and live event integration positions the station as a multi-channel country music platform rather than a single broadcast channel.

The business model is advertising- and sponsorship-based, with content offered free to listeners. Revenue is generated through the sale of on-air advertising inventory, sponsorship of programming blocks and events, and ancillary digital monetization via the iHeartRadio platform. The paying customer base is B2B (advertisers seeking access to a country-music-aligned audience demographic), while the end-user audience comprises New Zealand country music fans and, via the global streaming platform, international listeners. The station does not charge subscription fees to listeners.

Name

iHeartCountry

Legal name

NZME Radio Limited

Website

https://iheartcountry.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2025

Operating status

Operating

Short description

iHeartCountry is New Zealand's first dedicated country music FM radio station, operated by NZME. Launched in 2025, it broadcasts on 20+ FM frequencies and streams globally via iHeartRadio, monetizing through advertising and sponsorships aimed at country music listeners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ), Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE), Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL)

Keywords

• Country music radio
• FM radio broadcasting
• Digital audio streaming
• Music content curation
• Radio advertising sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Advertising & Sponsorship: iHeartCountry NZ generates revenue through on-air and online advertising. Brands can advertise on air or online with NZME. The station markets itself as reaching a highly engaged, previously untapped audience as country music's popularity surges in New Zealand.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

iHeartCountry NZ is a country music radio station that broadcasts 24/7 across 20+ FM/AM frequencies throughout New Zealand and streams globally via the iHeartRadio app and website. Its output combines international Nashville country hits with locally produced Kiwi country content (via the Kiwi Country segment supported by NZ On Air), competitions, concert ticket giveaways, and curated podcasts. Listening is free for consumers; revenue is generated through on-air and digital advertising sold by NZME.

Product overview

iHeartCountry NZ is a country music radio station operated by NZME, offering a multi-platform listening experience across FM/AM radio frequencies throughout New Zealand, online streaming via iHeart.com, and the iHeartRadio mobile app. The station's core product is its radio broadcast, supplemented by exclusive content programs including Kiwi Country (featuring New Zealand artists with NZ On Air support), iHeartCountry Acoustic (live studio performances), and curated podcast content. Engagement features include competitions, a newsletter club, and a music submission service for local artists. The station serves as New Zealand's dedicated home for country music, connecting listeners with both international superstars and emerging Kiwi talent.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• iHeartCountry NZ Radio Station New Zealand's dedicated country music FM/AM radio station, broadcasting 24/7 across 20+ frequencies nationwide (Auckland 105.4 FM, Christchurch 91.7 FM, Wellington 1503 AM, plus regional markets). Delivers modern country hits from global superstars and homegrown Kiwi talent, locally programmed in New Zealand. Free for listeners; for New Zealand country music fans of all demographics.
• iHeartRadio App (NZ distribution) Free mobile application for iOS and Android enabling global streaming of iHeartCountry NZ alongside thousands of other radio stations and podcasts, with offline listening capabilities. For New Zealand country music listeners and global country fans seeking digital access.
• Kiwi Country Program Dedicated content program on iHeartCountry NZ showcasing New Zealand country artists with funding support from NZ On Air. Features dedicated airplay and music video features for artists including Kaylee Bell, Jenni Smith, TheWesternGuide, Zac Griffith, Rosie Teese, Greta van den Brink. For local New Zealand country and Americana artists seeking mainstream radio exposure.
• iHeartCountry Acoustic Series Exclusive live acoustic performance content series filmed at Studio 1 Vintage Guitars in Auckland, featuring stripped-back performances from Kiwi and international country artists. Launched as part of NZ Music Month 2026 programming. For country music listeners seeking intimate, behind-the-scenes artist content.
• iHeartCountry Club Newsletter Email newsletter subscription (iHeartCountry Club) delivering concert announcements, exclusive competitions, free ticket giveaways, and country music news roundups to engaged listeners. For listeners seeking enhanced engagement and exclusive content access.
• Kiwi Music Submissions Service Online submission service enabling local New Zealand artists, managers, or record labels to submit tracks for airplay consideration on iHeartCountry NZ. For independent and emerging NZ country artists seeking radio exposure.
• iHeartCountry Podcasts Curated country music podcast portfolio hosted on iHeartRadio, including Bobbycast (Nashville songwriter interviews), God's Country (country music and outdoors), Cocaine & Rhinestones (country music history), and Whiskey Riff Raff (country music commentary). For podcast listeners and country music enthusiasts seeking on-demand audio content.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Live NationmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 October 2026Live Nation co-promotes international artist tours with iHeartCountry NZ, including Post Malone's Big Ass World Tour Auckland show (21 October 2026 at Go Media Stadium) and Dylan Gossett's NZ shows. The station runs competitions to win tickets to these events.
• Strummingbird FestivalmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 October 2026Strummingbird Festival in Ballarat, Australia (October 10, 2026) featuring Post Malone and multiple country acts. iHeartCountry NZ runs a competition to win a trip for two to the festival, including return flights, accommodation, and transfers. Featured artists include Bailey Zimmerman, Cooper Alan, Brad Cox, and more.
• Whitianga Oceans FestivalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2026Whitianga Oceans Festival in Coromandel, New Zealand (September 19, 2026) celebrating food, music, and coastal vibes. iHeartCountry NZ runs a competition to win a Coromandel getaway including festival double pass, accommodation, and The Lost Spring pass. Headlined by Brad Cox with NZ's own TheWesternGuide performing.
• iHeartRadio Music FestivalmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2026Annual iHeartRadio Music Festival held in Las Vegas (September 19–20, 2026), featuring artists including Kenny Chesney & Lainey Wilson, BTS, Benson Boone, Cardi B, and more. iHeartCountry NZ runs competitions for listeners to win trips to attend.
• Academy of Country Music (ACM)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 May 2025iHeartCountry NZ extensively covers and promotes the Academy of Country Music Awards, sharing winners lists, artist performances, and ACM Triple Crown Award recipients (e.g., Keith Urban). The station publishes detailed coverage of ACM Awards results.
• NZME Radio LimitedcoreOthersNZME Radio Limited is the parent company and operator of iHeartCountry NZ. The station is part of the NZME. Network which includes radio brands (Newstalk ZB, ZM, The Hits, Hauraki, Coast, Flava, Gold), print and digital media. NZME publishes the website terms, privacy policy, and competition terms governing iHeartCountry NZ.
• iHeartRadiocoreTechnology or IntegrationiHeartCountry NZ is a branded station within the iHeartRadio platform, which provides the streaming technology, app infrastructure, and podcast hosting (Bobbycast, God's Country, Cocaine & Rhinestones, Whiskey Riff Raff). The iHeartRadio app enables global digital listening.
• NZ On AircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNZ On Air provides funding support for the 'Kiwi Country' segment on iHeartCountry NZ, which showcases New Zealand country artists. This initiative promotes homegrown talent and is explicitly credited as made with the support of NZ On Air.
• Lainey WilsonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLainey Wilson announced her first-ever New Zealand show through an exclusive interview with iHeartCountry NZ, promoting her Whirlwind deluxe album release and upcoming NZ tour. The station gave away double passes to her show.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• KIX Country: Australian country radio network distributed via DAB+ and streaming. Comparable as a national dedicated country-music station in a neighbouring market; useful read on listenership, ad model, and programming strategy for an English-speaking country format.
• Radio New Zealand (RNZ) Country Programming: New Zealand's public broadcaster with country and folk programming slots. Comparable as a competing NZ country-content outlet, though noncommercial, providing indirect audience-share signal for the country genre in NZ.
• ABC Country (Australia): Australian public broadcaster's country-music programming on ABC. Comparable as a regional country-format broadcast offering with public/funding support model similar to iHeartCountry's NZ On Air relationship.

Broad incumbents

• Spotify (Country Playlists): Global streaming giant with dedicated country playlists (Hot Country, Country Rocks, etc.) and algorithmic personalization. Indirect competitor for listener attention and direct competitor for country-music advertising dollars in NZ.
• TuneIn: Global internet radio aggregator carrying thousands of stations including country formats. Comparable as the primary discovery/distribution layer for out-of-market listeners to find iHeartCountry NZ's global stream, and competes for digital country-radio ad inventory.
• Apple Music Country: Apple Music offers curated country playlists and full on-demand country catalogues globally. Comparable as a non-interactive and on-demand substitute for linear country radio, competing for the same advertiser budgets in NZ.

Direct peers

• Today's Country Radio: Australian country music streaming radio service. Comparable as a digital-first country radio offering targeting Australasian listeners, overlapping with iHeartCountry NZ's global streaming audience beyond terrestrial broadcast.
• The Country (NZME): NZME's existing country-focused radio program within its network. Most direct comparable as it serves the same NZ country-music audience through the same parent company, and represents iHeartCountry NZ's primary internal substitute.
• iHeartRadio (US Country Stations): iHeartRadio's extensive portfolio of US country stations (e.g., iHeartCountry US) operate the same branded format with similar content and app infrastructure. Provides the global streaming and podcast backbone that iHeartCountry NZ leverages, and represents the brand's flagship US counterpart.

Others

• ZM (NZME): Sister NZME station targeting younger pop/CHR audiences. Comparable as an NZME-owned radio brand sharing infrastructure, sales force, and digital platforms with iHeartCountry NZ, providing read-through on ad-sales dynamics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iHeartCountry
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@iheartcountrynz
• Facebookfacebook.com/iheartcountrynz
• Instagraminstagram.com/iheartcountrynz
• TikToktiktok.com/@iheartcountrynz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about iHeartCountry