If you love flicking on the car radio or catching the nightly news on TV, here’s something to keep an eye on.

The BBC in England has announced it’s preparing to ditch traditional television and radio broadcasts entirely—going online-only within the next decade.

And here in New Zealand, our broadcasters seem to be following a similar path.

We’ve already seen it with iHeart Country New Zealand, which just launched this month.

It’s a new station with a fresh country music mix, but there’s a twist—no live presenters, just pre-programmed music.

And Gold FM? It’s moved entirely online.

It’s not just radio either.

TVNZ has its "TVNZ+" digital platform, Sky’s expanding its streaming, and Discovery NZ is pouring resources into on-demand shows.

Even your favourite local stations might soon be app-only.

There’s a deadline too.

All AM and FM radio licences in New Zealand expire in 2031, along with digital television licences.

Unless the government extends them, this could be the final chapter for traditional broadcasts.

For Coasties, that means your drive-time radio could become an app, and the six o’clock news might be something you stream whenever you want.

Sure, it’s more convenient—watch or listen on your terms—but it’s a big change from the old way.

So, if you love the comfort of a familiar voice on the radio or catching the nightly news on the telly, the move to streaming and on-demand might feel like the end of an era.

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