Media Insider: 26 Predictions for NZ Media in 2026 – Rivalries, Buyouts, and the AI Revolution
Source: This article was prepared based on an article published by NZ Herald online newspaper.
By Lions Roar News Media Desk
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (January 2, 2026) — As the curtains rise on 2026, the New Zealand media landscape is bracing for a year of radical consolidation, technological upheaval, and high-stakes personality clashes. In his latest Media Insider column, NZ Herald Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie has laid out 26 “hot takes” for the year ahead, predicting everything from the sale of major broadcasters to the birth of new broadcasting rivalries.
The predictions come as the industry reflects on a turbulent 2025, where the rise of AI and a shifting advertising market forced several legacy outlets to pivot or perish.
🎙️ The Battle of the Broadcasters: Hosking vs. Campbell?
One of the most anticipated predictions for 2026 is the reignition of the rivalry between New Zealand’s broadcasting heavyweights.
- The New Rivalry: Currie hints at a potential “Hosking v Campbell” showdown. With shifts in morning radio and primetime digital slots, the industry is buzzing about a possible clash for the hearts and minds of the “Middle New Zealand” audience.
- The Return of Personalities: 2026 is expected to be the year of the “super-host,” as media companies double down on big names to anchor their digital streaming platforms.
💰 Corporate Shakeups: TVNZ and Sky TV Up for Sale?
The biggest shockwaves in the 26 predictions concern the future ownership of New Zealand’s largest screens.
- TVNZ Under the Hammer: Rumors of a potential partial privatization or a strategic partnership for TVNZ are reaching fever pitch. Analysts suggest that the state broadcaster may look for a “tech-giant” suitor to help navigate the streaming-first era.
- Sky TV’s New Dawn: Following the news that Netflix is set to acquire Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) assets, the pressure is on Sky TV. Media Insider suggests Sky is “ripe for new owners” as international players look to consolidate the local sports and entertainment rights.
🤖 The AI Bubble and the Newsroom
AI remains the double-edged sword of the media world. Currie’s predictions highlight:
- The Content War: A massive legal reckoning is predicted as journalists and publishers join forces to take on AI companies for “copyright pillaging.”
- The Efficiency Drive: Conversely, 2026 will see the first fully “AI-assisted” regional news hubs, where local reporting is augmented by automated data processing to keep local newsrooms alive.
📉 How the 2025 Predictions Fared
It wasn’t all crystal-ball perfection. Looking back at last year’s predictions:
- The Hits: Predictions regarding the continued decline of traditional linear TV ratings and the rise of “niche” subscription newsletters were spot on.
- The Misses: Forecasters underestimated the speed of the global economic “defrosting,” which led to a late-2025 surge in digital ad spending that saved several independent publishers.
