Michael Laws out, Sean Plunket in at RadioLive

MediaWorks has confirmed speculation that Michael Laws is leaving RadioLive, replaced by Sean Plunket.

Mr Plunket quit NewsTalk ZB last month, and was widely tipped to take Mr Laws nine-to-noon slot.

Mr Laws final show will be March 31 next year. Mr Plunket will start in April.

A second newcomer, TV3 political editor Duncan Garner, will takeover RadioLive's drivetime slot on December 1, replacing Andrew Patterson.

Patrick Gower will be promoted to fill Mr Garner's 3News role.

MediaWorks spokeswoman Rachel Lorimer brushed aside media speculation that RadioLive breakfast host Marcus Lush would depart, or be moved to a different time - perhaps making way for Mr Plunkett to fill the primetime slot.

"The Marcus Lush Breakfast show is going well - he's now enjoyed two consective audience boosts in the past two radio surveys - and Marcus isn't going anywhere," Mr Lorimer said. Mr Lush would "absolutely" stay in the breakfast slot.

The latest 6am-to-midnight six-month radio ratings have RadioLive winning back lost ground in the key Auckland market, increasing its share from 2.9% to 3.7% - but still trailing talk radio rival NewsTalkZB, which tops the audience measurement survey with a 13.4% share (up from 12% in the previous survey).

History of violations
Mr Laws has faced 12 broadcasting complaints since joining RadioLive in 2005, losing five.

Recent greatest hits include a November 2011 hearty threat to journalists ("If I had a gun I'd shoot them - put them out of their misery - because they have gone rabid and they may infect others.") and a BSA-ordered apology after he asked a female caller if she could "wear a muzzle."

MediaWorks did not link the controversies to Mr Laws' departure. The former Whanganui Mayor and NZ First MP offered only that it was time for a change. He wanted to spend more time with his family.

Across the Tasman, the shock jock genre appears to have gone out of style - at least with advertisers who withdrew support for Alan Jones' show following the former Wallabies Coach's off-colour joke about the death  of Julia Gilard's father.