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The Rate Race
Television (Full Length) – 1987
This TVNZ documentary captures the early days of NewstalkZB, shortly after Radio New Zealand gambled on relaunching it with an all talk format. Previous breakfast host Merv Smith has taken most of his audience to rival Radio i; his replacement is Paul Holmes. The former king of the Wellington airwaves is soon grappling to make an impact in Auckland. Competition amongst the stations is cutthroat, but Holmes is the focal point here. He’s under pressure and surrounded by a battery of often conflicting opinions. By 1988 he'd hauled the show from ninth to second in the ratings.
Part of the job is going out on a limb, too. You're not protected by a much. You’re treading a tightrope every day and there’s a thrill in that.– Paul Holmes
Key Cast & Crew
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