“It’s heartbreaking:” The demise of NZ’s Today FM

 Today FM sports host Marc Peard has opened up after the New Zealand station was abruptly taken off air.

In a social media post, Peard said “Today FM was a ride … I want to reach out to everybody who has made that ride such fun. It’s heartbreaking, it’s devastating, it sux that it’s ended.”

As news the station was closing was delivered to the team, Peard says he watched people he cares about deeply burst into tears.

“People not knowing how they will make their next rent payments and how they will feed their kids.”

“Radio is such an intimate job. You pour your soul out to people in an honest effort to connect. When I get told I’m no longer wanted, I feel embarrassed I was open and vulnerable.”

Peard thanked everyone who’d contributed to his show.

“I feel embarrassed I cared so much. I feel bad as I’ve let my family down.

A solitary message on the station’s website homepage says “Unfortunately, the MediaWorks Board has made the difficult decision to take Today FM off air. This is a hard day for this talented team who put everything into building a new talk platform in Aoteroa. It’s been a tremendous effort and we’re incredibly proud of the work they have done.”

“From Ardern to Zelensky, Today FM kept Kiwis informed with the very best of news and current affairs and we’re grateful to the team and everyone who tuned in.”

The situation unfolded live, as Today FM presenters Duncan Garner and Tova O’Brien were joined by the newsroom to bid farewell to the radio station on air before the plug was pulled.

A short announcement was made that the station has closed and that Today FM will be replaced by a new station on the same frequency next month.