Australian broadcaster Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) is expanding into New Zealand and has acquired the services of former Blackcaps captain Brendon McCullum as key talent.
SENZ, as it will be known, will hit Kiwi airwaves as "New Zealand's new home of sport and racing", aiming to blend live sport with local programming.
SEN will acquire 29 TAB frequencies across both AM and FM bands, filling the void vacated by Radio Sport's closure during COVID-19.
"New Zealand is one of the most passionate places in the world for international and local Sport," SEN chief executive Craig Hutchinson says.
"We are delighted to have reached agreement to unleash SENZ onto an unrivalled
radio footprint across the whole country."
McCullum's signature is a key acquisition for SEN, with the former NZ cricket captain also boasting a wealth of expertise in racing, as both a commentator and an owner. McCullum will front SENZ’s breakfast radio show.
"I'm obviously hugely excited to be taking the lead on such an inventive move forward for
sports radio in New Zealand," McCullum says.
"I still live for sport and this is another opportunity to remain immersed in it in my own
country, putting my stamp on SENZ's coverage and hopefully having a lot of fun along the way."
SEN currently holds broadcast rights for the NRL, A-League, international and domestic cricket in Australia, and the AFL, and will soon announce what New Zealand rights it has acquired.
The New Zealand expansion will establish radio studios in both Auckland and Wellington, producing content from both locations.
