John Campbell joining Radio NZ

John Campbell will join Radio New Zealand in September as the host of Checkpoint, the public broadcaster's 5-7pm weekday drivetime show.

The former Campbell Live host will also be involved in developing the state broadcaster’s video and podcast content.

Checkpoint is currently hosted by Mary Wilson and Jim Mora. Ms Wilson is being promoted to a senior news management role while Mr Mora says he is "looking forward to working with Campbell, Afternoons host Jesse Mulligan and being able to focus on The Panel."

Media commentators previously told NBR ONLINE that John Campbell would thrive at RNZ.

In April, MediaWorks, which owns television channels TV3 and Four, and radio stations such as The Edge and Radio Live, announced it was exploring ways to “improve the commercial performance” of the 7pm weekday prime time slot, then occupied by Campbell Live.

As soon as the review was announced, several social media-based campaigns to save the show were started and its ratings skyrocketed. Petitions were signed, protests staged and commentaries on the future of television written.

After leaving MediaWorks, Mr Campbell made guest appearances on Sky Sport's coverage of the All Blacks vs Samoa and graced NBR Radio’s Weekend Rumble late last month.

NBR publisher Todd Scott says he was in discussions with the renowned broadcaster.

“I have been in talks with John for some months and, although I am happy for him, I’m gutted that we were unsuccessful in securing his services for NBR Radio,” Mr Scott says.

RNZ says “it’s quite bloody marvellous” that Mr Campbell is joining.

In a press release from RNZ, Mr Campbell said he was “thrilled” to be returning to the broadcaster, which gave him his first journalism job in 1989.

RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson says Mr Campbell is an "outstanding broadcaster" with an "affinity with our audiences and the world-class journalism we produce".

"He will also bring new audiences to RNZ and help us achieve our charter goal of providing high-quality, engaging journalism and current affairs to a wider range of New Zealanders."

Mr Thompson has plans for RNZ to invest more in video but he says a flat budget from the government is hindering this. The broadcaster recently announced it was letting 14 staff go and investing $10 million in upgrading equipment over the next 10 years. 

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