Hit Network

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.

"Austereo Network" and "Austereo Radio Network" redirect here. For the former media company, see Austereo.

Hit Network
TypeHot adult contemporary
Country
Australia
Broadcast area
Australia
HeadquartersSouth Melbourne, Victoria
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerSouthern Cross Austereo
History
Launch date1986
Former names
  • Austereo Network
  • Today's Austereo Network
  • Today Network
  • Today's Hit Network
Links
Websitehit.com.au

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

As of 1 December 2020, the Hit Network consists of 41 FM radio stations.

ACT

NSW

QLD

SA

TAS

VIC

WA

Network shows

Digital radio

As of 3 January 2023, the Hit Network broadcasts an additional 5 radio stations on DAB+ digital radio and the LiSTNR app.

Years Station Format Availability History
2018–presentRnB FridaysRnB musicSydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and AdelaideFormerly known as:
– Urban Hits (2018–2021)
2019–presentDance HitsElectronic dance musicSydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide
2023–presentOldskool 80s Hits1980s musicSydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and HobartFormerly 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]

2020–presentOldskool 90s Hits1990s musicSydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and HobartFormerly 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–presentBlender BeatsRemixes and MashupsSydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, PerthReplaced Buddha Hits on DAB+

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

References
  1. "hit107 | Adelaide's Hit Music Station revealed". Radio Today (Australia). 16 October 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. "SCA's Today stations to rebrand as Hit". Radioinfo.com.au. 17 December 2014.
  3. "Canberra's Hit104.7 Arrives". Radio Today (Australia). 15 December 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  4. "#HitHobart". Radio Today (Australia). 4 February 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  5. Battersby, Lucy (26 September 2016). "60 regional radio stations to become Triple M or Hit Network". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  6. Challenor, Jake (27 July 2020). "Hit Network set for biggest overhaul in half-decade". Radio Today (Australia). Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  7. Challenor, Jake (20 August 2020). "Confirmed: SCA's Hit Network axes 19 regional breakfast shows". Radio Today (Australia). Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  8. Martin, Melissa (20 August 2020). "Southern Cross Austereo makes staff cuts across Australia, breakfast shows are networked". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  9. Hoffman, Lily (18 November 2020). "Perth radio shake up: New Triple M station, Xavier Ellis, Juelz Jarry and Pete Curulli breakfast show axed". The West Australian. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  10. Austereo finds new digital partner - themusic.com.au 26 January 2010
  11. Hamish & Andy get their own station with Caravan of Courage Radio - mUmBRELLA, 24 May 2010
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