[3] First edited by Oliver Duff[4] then from June 1949 M. H. Holcroft, it originally had a monopoly on the publication of upcoming television and radio programmes.

[5] In the 1980s it lost that monopoly, but despite the increase in competition since that time, it was still one of the top selling magazines in the country.

Notable writers to have had their work published in the Listener include James K. Baxter, Janet Frame and Maurice Shadbolt.

[5] On 2 April 2020, the Bauer Media Group announced the closing of many of its New Zealand and Australian publications, including The Listener, due to the continued loss of advertising revenue, hastened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[12][13] On 17 June 2020, Australian investment company Mercury Capital purchased The Listener as part of its acquisition of Bauer Media's Australia and New Zealand assets.