Hit Network Explained

Hit Network
Type:Hot adult contemporary
Country:Australia
Headquarters:South Melbourne, Victoria
Broadcast Area:Australia
Owner:Southern Cross Austereo
Launch Date:1986
Language:English

The Hit Network is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by Southern Cross Austereo. The network consists of 41 radio stations broadcasting a hot adult contemporary music format, as well as 6 digital radio stations.

History

The Hit Network was formed in 1986 as the Austereo Network after Austereo, the licensee of Adelaide commercial radio station SAFM, purchased Fox FM in Melbourne. The network grew throughout the late 1980s and the 1990s, acquiring B105 Brisbane, 2Day FM Sydney and PMFM Perth, as well as establishing joint-venture stations in Canberra and Newcastle. The network would later become known as the Today Network, with stations adopting a contemporary hit radio music format.

Following the acquisition of Austereo by Southern Cross Media Group, the company incorporated the regional Hot FM, Sea FM and Star FM networks into the Today Network.

In October 2014, Southern Cross Austereo announced it would relaunch SAFM in Adelaide as Hit 107,[1] with a staggered network-wide relaunch announced in December.[2] On 14 January 2015, the network was relaunched as Today's Hit Network, with the relaunch extending to Canberra in January 2016.[3] Sea FM Hobart was relaunched as Hit100.9 in February,[4] with the remaining network stations adopting the Hit Network branding as part of a national brand consolidation in December.[5]

On 27 July 2020, the Hit Network was relaunched, adopting a new logo and "pop-based" music format in an attempt to target a 30–54 year old audience.[6] In addition, Hit 105 Brisbane and Hit 107 Adelaide reverted to their heritage brands B105 and SAFM respectively. On 20 August 2020, Southern Cross Austereo announced the network would introduce statewide networked breakfast programs in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, replacing 19 local shows.[7] [8]

On 1 December 2020, Mix 94.5 Perth switched affiliation from the Triple M network to the Hit Network, with Hit92.9 relaunching as 92.9 Triple M.[9]

Stations

, the Hit Network consists of 41 FM radio stations.

ACT

NSW

QLD

SA

TAS

VIC

WA

Network shows

Digital radio

As of April 2024, the Hit Network broadcasts an additional 6 radio stations on DAB+ digital radio and the LiSTNR app.

YearsStationFormatAvailabilityHistory
2018–present RnB Fridays RnB musicFormerly known as:
– Urban Hits (2018–2021)
2019–present Dance Hits
2023–present Oldskool 80s Hits Formerly known as:
– Easy 80s Hits [2020–2023]
– Easy Hits Radio (Easy listening music from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s) [2016–2020]
– Stardust Radio (Soft pop, jazz standards, beautiful music from the 1950s, 1960s) [2012–2016]
Easy Hits was moved to the LiSNTR internet radio platform.
2020–present Oldskool 90s Hits Formerly known as:
– Oldskool Hits Radio (Hot adult contemporary music from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s) [2016–2020]
– More Digital (Music from the 1980s, 1990s) [2015–2016]
– Loveland Radio (Love songs from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s) [2012–2015]
2022–present Blender Beats Remixes and Mashups Replaced Buddha Hits [2012-2022] on DAB+
Buddha Hits was moved to the LiSNTR internet radio platform.
2024 - presentEasy HitsEasy listeningSydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and AdelaideRelaunched on DAB+ replacing LiSTNR Radio

Choose The Hits was a station only broadcast on digital radio and ran between 1 February 2010 and 24 May 2010.[10]

The Hit Network launched Caravan Radio on 24 May 2010. It was a "pop up" Digital Radio station that played the best bits from Hamish & Andy's Caravan of Courage journeys while they toured the United Kingdom on their fourth Caravan of Courage.[11]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: hit107 Adelaide's Hit Music Station revealed . 20 August 2020 . Radio Today (Australia) . 16 October 2014.
  2. News: SCA's Today stations to rebrand as Hit . Radioinfo.com.au . 17 December 2014.
  3. Web site: Canberra's Hit104.7 Arrives . 16 December 2015 . Radio Today (Australia) . 15 December 2015.
  4. Web site: #HitHobart . 4 February 2016 . Radio Today (Australia) . 4 February 2016.
  5. News: Battersby . Lucy . 60 regional radio stations to become Triple M or Hit Network . The Sydney Morning Herald . 26 September 2016.
  6. Web site: Challenor . Jake . Hit Network set for biggest overhaul in half-decade. 27 July 2020 . Radio Today (Australia) . 27 July 2020.
  7. News: Challenor . Jake . Confirmed: SCA's Hit Network axes 19 regional breakfast shows . 20 August 2020 . Radio Today (Australia) . 20 August 2020.
  8. News: Martin . Melissa . Southern Cross Austereo makes staff cuts across Australia, breakfast shows are networked . 20 August 2020 . ABC News (Australia) . 20 August 2020.
  9. News: Hoffman . Lily . Perth radio shake up: New Triple M station, Xavier Ellis, Juelz Jarry and Pete Curulli breakfast show axed . 23 November 2020 . The West Australian . 18 November 2020.
  10. http://www.themusic.com.au/imm_display.php?s=christie&id=1826&q=Choose%20The%20Hits%20Hot30%20Jelli Austereo finds new digital partner
  11. http://mumbrella.com.au/today-networks-latest-digital-station-to-feature-hamish-andys-caravan-courage-26337 Hamish & Andy get their own station with Caravan of Courage Radio