Classic Hits FM
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| Classic Hits FM | |
 |
|
| Broadcast area | 26 markets in New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Slogan | "80's, 90's and Now!" |
| Frequency | See Below |
| Format | Adult Contemporary |
| Owner | The Radio Network |
| Website | classichits.co.nz |
Classic Hits is an Adult Contemporary music radio network broadcasting in 26 markets throughout New Zealand, targeting 25 - 55 year olds. It's a family focused radio network with some of New Zealand's most experienced broadcasters on air and behind the scenes. It currently has around 387,000 listeners nationwide.
[edit] Classic Hits Nationwide Network
Each Classic Hits station in the network broadcasts a live and utterly repetitive local breakfast show from the centre in which it is based and for the rest of the day picks up the network feed from Auckland with the ability to do local breakouts when necessary. The network announcers broadcast the Auckland and Network shows simultaneously.
The station line up is:
| The Classic Breakfast | Monday - Friday 6am - 10am | Local Breakfast Show with Nationwide News every 30 minutes followed by Local News, Sport, Weather and Cancellations read out by a local presenter. |
| Daytime | Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm | Murray Lindsay |
| Big Drive Home | Monday - Friday 2pm - 7pm | Jason Reeves |
| Nightclub | Sunday - Thursday 7pm - 12am | Will Johnston |
| Friday Night Fever | Friday 7pm - 12am | Friday Night party show featuring tracks from the 70's and 80's. Hosted by Pat Brittenden. |
| Weekend Breakfast | Saturday and Sunday 6am - 10am | Locally presented show, in some regions one of the weekday announcers or a separate weekend announcer. |
| Jukebox Saturday Night | Saturday 6pm - Sunday 2am | Saturday Night commercial free party show |
| That's The Story | Sunday 7am - 8am | Children's Storybook Show |
[edit] Previous Nationwide Announcers
| Announcer | Show | Duration | Reason for Leaving | Last known station |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Bailey | Drivetime show | 2000 - 2002 | Went to breakfast on Easy Listening i | PD at More FM Hawkes Bay |
| Mark Bunting | Drivetime show | 2003 - 2006 | Returned to Waikato to host the breakfast show he previously hosted. | Breakfast show on Waikato's Classic Hits 98.6 ZHFM |
| Pat Courtenay | Drivetime show | 1998-1999 | Freelance voice artist | |
| Andrew Dickens | Drivetime show | 1999 - 2000 | Moved to Auckland Breakfast Show | Classic Hits 97.4 Auckland Breakfast Show |
| Andy Dye | Night Show | 1998 - 2000 | ||
| Gael Ludlow | Love Songs to Midnight Nightshow | 2001 - 2002 | New format | Presents a similar Love Songs show on Easy Mix |
| Peter Sinclair | The original Love Songs to Midnight Nightshow. | 1993 - 1997 | Died in 2001 | |
| Dave Smart | NightClub Nightshow | 2004 - 2007 | Moved to Wellington Breakfast Show. | Classic Hits 90FM Wellington Breakfast Show |
| Dene Young | NightClub Nightshow | 2003 - 2004 | Went overseas | Breakfast host on Radio Hauraki |
[edit] Individual Stations
[edit] Classic Hits Northland
Classic Hits Radio Northland is covered over the Northland Region using four frequencies, 96.0FM in Whangarei, 96.8FM in the Bay of Islands, 97.2 in the Mid North and 97.6 in the Far North.
Originally known as Radio Northland broadcasting on 1026 and 1215 AM with the call sign 1ZN. The station moved to 96.0 FM in Whangerei during the late 1990s.
Breakfast Show consists of Craig Robertson and Jax van Buuren.
[edit] Auckland's Classic Hits 97.4
Classic Hits 97.4 is the flagship of the brand the network announcers are based here and produce a separate local show for Aucklanders simultaneously with the nationwide show. Classic Hits 97.4FM Auckland is the original Classic Hits station that took on its name when 1ZM changed to a Classic Hits music format (see History section).
Classic Breakfast show is produced exclusively for Auckland by Andrew Dickens, Jacque Tucker and Justin Brown. All other shows are produced from the same Auckland studios for the entire Classic Hits network.
[edit] Waikato's Classic Hits 98.6 ZHFM
Originally Waikato's 1ZH broadcasting on 1296AM, the station became 98.6 ZHFM in 1990 when it switched to FM. The Classic Hits name was actually used on a bumper sticker as well as A Better Music Mix before the station was re branded as Classic Hits in 1993.
Breakfast show is hosted by Mark Bunting and produced by Chris Lloyd, known to the listeners as 'Curly'. Mark Bunting joined the station in 2000 as the breakfast host and moved to Classic Hits Auckland to present the Drivetime show over the entire Classic Hits network between 2003 and 2006 and moved back to the Waikato breakfast show in 2007. The Waikato breakfast show actually starts at 5AM, an hour earlier than other Classic Hits stations this is to cater for the early morning commuters to Auckland and local farmers.
[edit] South Waikato's Classic Hits 96.4 Forestland FM
Originally known as 1ZO or 'Radio Forestland' on 1413AM in the 1980s and 1990s, then 'Classic Hits Radio Forestland' before switching to FM in 2006. The station is part of the Classic Hits Community Radio Network.
Breakfast show is hosted by Johnny Dryden.
[edit] Classic Hits King Country Radio
Originally 'King Country Radio' on 1512AM with the call sign 1ZU, this station is part of the Community Radio Network. King Country Radio joined the Classic Hits family around 2002 and is now also heard on 99.9FM in Taumarunui, and further afield on 92.7FM.
The Breakfast Show is hosted by Brad Jeffrey
[edit] Classic Hits 95 BOP FM
Originally 1ZD Radio B.O.P. broadcasting on 1008 AM. The station moved to 95.0 FM around 1990 becoming 95 B.O.P. FM. The station was rebranded as Classic Hits in 1993.
Breakfast with BK and the Breakfast Team (Brian Kelly), Louise Dean, Andrew Love and Grayson Ottaway.
[edit] Rotorua's Classic Hits 97.5
Originally known as Radio Geyserland on 1350 AM. The station moved to FM in 1988 and became known as 97.5 Geyserland FM. When the station was rebranded as Classic Hits in 1993 the name Geyserland was no longer used on air, however it still appeared on the station's logo. Classic Hits 97.5 (as it is now known) also broadcasts on 90.9FM to the Reporoa, Broadlands, Ngakuru and Waikite Valley areas.
Breakfast hosted by Luke Valentine
[edit] Taupo's Classic Hits Lakeland FM
Originally known as Radio Lakeland, broadcasting on 1494AM in Taupo and 1386AM in Turangi. The station moved to 96.7FM in 1988 and was then known as Lakeland FM. For a short time a second frequency served Turangi on 89.6, and later 92.4 but was discontinued.
Lakeland FM was the host of the Community Radio Network, a network established between community radio stations operated by The Radio Network. Outside of the breakfast show all Community Radio Network stations received content from Lakeland FM studio. In 2001 all the Community Radio Network stations joined up with Classic Hits with all programming outside of breakfast now coming from Auckland. At this point Lakeland FM became known as Classic Hits Lakeland FM.
Breakfast Hosted By Brendon Weatherly & Laura Drummond
[edit] Gisborne's Classic Hits 90.9 ZGFM
Originally known as 'The Coaster 2ZG' on 945AM before moving to 90.9FM and later being rebranded as Classic Hits 90.9 ZGFM.
Breakfast hosted by Richard Dryden.
[edit] Taranaki's Classic Hits 90FM
Classic Hits in Taranaki originates from Radio Taranaki which broadcast on 1053AM in New Plymouth and 1557AM in Hawera. Around 1992, the station began simulcasting on 90.0FM which was previously occupied by its sister station 'Q90FM'. It was then known as '90FM Radio Taranaki' before becoming Classic Hits 90FM in 1993.
Breakfast with Barney (Brent Procter), Charlotte Butler and Heelan Tompkins.
[edit] Hawke's Bay's Classic Hits 89.5
Originally known as 2ZC or Bay City Radio broadcasting on 1280AM since 1 October 1957, the station moved to 89.5FM in 1994 and at the same time became known as 'Classic Hits 89.5 - Bay City Radio'.
Features Martin & Kim's Classic Breakfast (Martin Good, and Kim Willoughby of "When The Cat's Away" fame). Contributors also include Ross Holden, Neil Dunn, Kev Stanton, Mark Bramley, and Amanda Dawson.
[edit] Manawatu's Classic Hits 97.8 ZAFM
Originally known as 2ZA and broadcasting on 927AM, the station began simulcasting on 97.8FM in the early 1990s under the name 'AM-FM 2ZA'. Soon after the station was relaunched as 'The New 98FM'. 98FM eventually joined the Classic Hits network, but due to the 'Classic Hits' name already being used by an opposition station within the same market, 98FM was forced to adopt the name 'Greatest Hits 98FM'. Presumably, as a result of an agreement or settlement between the two companies, the opposition station dropped the 'Classic Hits' slogan and 98FM became 'Classic Hits 97.8'. Later, after more than 5 years of not using it, part of the 2ZA call sign was returned when the station became Classic Hits 97.8 ZAFM.
Breakfast Show Hosted By Mike Roke & Robbie Walker (Originally from Taupo's Classic Hits)
[edit] Classic Hits Wairarapa 90.1
Originally known as 2ZD and broadcasting on 846AM, later the station became Radio Wairarapa before becoming Classic Hits Wairarapa FM broadcasting on 90.1FM.
In 2007, a second frequency (88.7 FM) was launched for residents in Martinborough, who had trouble listening to the original 90.1 FM.
The station this year celebrated their 50th year of broadcasting in the Wairarapa.
Breakfast show hosted by Darryl Mallett.
[edit] Classic Hits River City 89.6
Originally known as 2ZW broadcasting on 1197AM and later becoming River City Radio. The station moved to 89.6FM during the early nineties before being re branded as Classic Hits 89.6 River City FM.
Breakfast hosted by Greg Lincoln
[edit] Classic Hits Kapiti-Horowhenua 92.7
One of the newer Classic Hits stations, Classic Hits Kapiti-Horowhenua 92.7FM took over the frequency previously used by Sports Roundup/Radio Sport in the area.
Breakfast host by Phil Costello
[edit] Wellington's Classic Hits 90FM
Originally an FM repeater for Wellington's 2ZB (89.8FM) in the early 1990s, the station was then relaunched as 'Goodtime Oldies B90FM' which also broadcast to the Kapiti Coast on 89.4. The station ran a 60s and 70s music format which originated from the Wellington studio and took no network programming. Around 1994, B90FM became 'Classic Hits 90FM' and an adjustment was made to the station's frequency, shifting from 89.8 to 90.0FM. Unlike the rest of the Classic Hits network, 90FM ran with a "60s, 70s and 80s" format, whereas all other Classic Hits stations (with the exception of Auckland and Christchurch) were playing "70s, 80s and 90s". Programming continued to originate from Wellington until the late 1990s when local shows succumbed to network programming. The Kapiti Coast repeater was eventually dropped and replaced with Newstalk ZB.
Wellington's Classic Hits features The Classic Breakfast with Dave Smart and Camille Guzzwell.
[edit] Nelson's Classic Hits 89.8
Originally an FM simulcast of 'Radio Nelson' (also on 1341AM), this station later became part of the Classic Hits family and was known as Classic Hits 90FM. The station broadcast to Nelson City on 89.8 and to the wider area (including Motueka and Takaka) on 90.4. There is also an AM relay in Golden Bay on 1269AM. More recently, 90FM was known as 'Classic Hits 89.8 and 90.4' but this name was dropped in late 2006 after the 90.4 frequency was shifted to 89.8 (in synchronous transmission with the Nelson City outlet). It is now simply known as 'Classic Hits 89.8'. Today the original 'Radio Nelson' name is still used as the name of The Radio Network Nelson operation and operate their own local website at http://www.radionelson.co.nz
The Classic Breakfast is hosted by Kent Robertson & Reagan Poynter
[edit] Classic Hits Marlborough 96.9
Formerly known as Radio Marlborough, on 1539AM in Blenheim and 1584AM in Picton.
Breakfast show hosted by Glenn Kirby
[edit] West Coast's Classic Hits Scenicland FM
Formerly known as Radio Scenicland, on 747AM in Greymouth (callsign 3ZA), 1287AM in Westport (callsign 3ZW) and 1521AM in Reefton (callsign 3ZR). The station later became known as Scenicland FM after moving to the FM band, then joined the Classic Hits network around 2001.
- Westport 90.9FM
- Reefton 97.3FM
- Greymouth 91.1/93.1FM
- Hokitika 93.1FM
- South Westland 90.5FM
Local breakfast show is hosted by Richie Gunton Monday - Saturday
[edit] Christchurch's Classic Hits 97.7
Originally known as 'B98FM - The Best Music Mix" in the early 1990s, this station was rebranded as 'Goodtime Orgees B98FM' several years later, taking on an oldies music format. By the mid 1990s, the name was altered to 'Classic Hits B98FM', then again to 'Classic Hits 98FM'. This was the only Classic Hits station to not have its local programming reduced to 4 hours in 1998. It remained live and local 24 hours a day until 2002, operating independently from the rest of the Classic Hits network. In 2003 the station began reducing local content to just during the day and as announcers have left even further now to a point where the breakfast show is the only local part as with other Classic Hits stations.
Today's current breakfast show is hosted by Dave Fitzgerald and Patrina Roche.
[edit] Ashburton's Classic Hits 92.5 ZEFM
Originally known as 3ZE on 873AM, this station is part of the Classic Hits Community Radio Network. Now broadcasting on 92.5 FM, as they name suggests. Recently nominated as a finalist in the 2008 New Zealand Radio Awards, for Station Of The Year - Provincial.
- Weekday Breakfast hosted by Phill Hooper and Gareth Thomas.
- Weekend Breakfast hosted by Gareth Thomas.
[edit] South Canterbury's Classic Hits 98.7 & 94.7
Originally known as Radio Caroline on 1152AM, this station joined the Classic Hits network in 1995, originally as 'Classic Hits 99FM'. Between 1998 and 2000 the station was branded as 'South Canterbury's 99FM', however it is now known as 'Classic Hits 98.7 and 94.7' after a second frequency came on air in 2005.
Breakfast hosted by Josh van Berkel and Tom McKenzie (Josh & Tom's Classic Breakfast)
[edit] North Otago's Classic Hits 98.4
Originally known as 'Radio Waitaki' on 1395AM, then as 'Classic Hits 98.4 Waitaki FM' after they converted to FM. The 'Waitaki' name has since been dropped from most station identification and the station is now known as 'North Otago's Classic Hits 98.4'.
Breakfast with Sarah van der Kley and Mike Plant
[edit] Classic Hits Southern Lakes
The newest member of the Classic Hits Network this station only started in 2005. The station covers Queenstown on 90.4FM, Wanaka on 96.2FM and Alexandra on 99.9FM.
Breakfast hosted by Ferg and Grant.
[edit] Dunedin's Classic Hits 89.4
Originally known as 4ZB on 1044AM, then 89.4 ZBFM when the station switched to FM in 1990. ZBFM joined the Classic Hits network in 1993 under the name 'Classic Hits 89FM' which has since been adjusted to 'Classic Hits 89.4'.
Breakfast is hosted by Trev Hill and Crystal Sadgrove.
[edit] Southland's Classic Hits 98.8 ZAFM
Originally Southland's 4ZA on 864AM. After converting to FM in the early 1990s, the station was known as 'Southland's 4ZA 98.8FM' for some time before joining the Classic Hits network as 'Classic Hits ZAFM'. In 2005 there appeared to be a move towards removing the 'ZAFM' part of the name from most station identification with branding becoming 'Southland's Classic Hits 98.8,' however the 'ZAFM' part of the name was included in the station identification when Classic Hits recently updated all their liners, local announcers often leave the 'ZAFM' in during voice breaks as well as in locally created jingles for the station.
John (Boggy) McDowall has hosted a local breakfast show on this station since the 1980s and has been with the station since 1979. The breakfast show still features Bertie Budgie reading out birthday calls every day and Boggy is joined by Tracy Kilkelly, Malcolm Gayfer and Lee Piper. Breakfast on Saturday mornings is hosted by Darren Ludlow and on Sunday mornings hosted by Mark Whaley who is also the "Black Thunder driver" for 95-6ZM in Southland.
[edit] History
Classic Hits was started in Auckland in 1987 when 1ZM (also known at the time as 1251ZM) changed music format to play Classic Hits music and branding was changed to Classic Hits Twelve Fifty One. The ZM station that exists in Auckland today is a new station that was created around 1996 replacing Magic 91FM. In 1989 the Auckland's Classic Hits moved to FM becoming Classic Hits 97FM. Years later the format of this station was rolled out across all of New Zealand.
During the 1990s, Radio New Zealand split many of their traditional local stations which broadcast on AM and FM into two. The FM frequency was rebranded as Classic Hits FM, while the AM become Newstalk ZB. This saw the Classic Hits FM brand rolled out across New Zealand, all stations took on the uniform logo of a green diamond with the station name printed on the diamond.
Many of the local stations adapted their traditional heritage name into the Classic Hits name, such as Bay City Radio in Napier, which become Classic Hits Bay City Radio. The station still incorporates the original name in its branding - now "Classic Hits 89.5 Bay City Radio". Classic Hits also took over many of the Community Radio Network (CRN) frequencies from smaller markets during the late 90s too, this was done in an effort to streamline the company's brands from a programming perspective. Doing this gave Classic Hits more frequencies and in turn, more broadcast area than any other station in New Zealand. Originally Classic Hits was live and local in every region throughout the day but during the evenings, overnight and on Sundays a network show from Auckland was played instead.
In July 1996, the New Zealand Government sold off the commercial arm of Radio New Zealand which included among others, the Classic Hits brand. The Radio Network (TRN) is the current owner. In 1998 Classic Hits was reduced to just 4 hours of local programming during the Breakfast show in all regions except Christchurch. Christchurch remained local but as announcers left their shows were replaced with the network product. Today all of the Classic Hits stations play the same songs in the same sequence even when a local show is on the air, this means that there will be no double ups of songs between 9am and 5pm when Classic Hits runs the No Repeat Workday.
In 2001 many of the Classic Hits stations in each region were given a minor name change to include the full local frequency, for example Auckland's Classic Hits 97FM became Classic Hits 97.4 including the entire frequency. Other examples are Waikato's Classic Hits ZHFM became Classic Hits 98.6 ZHFM and Christchurch's Classic Hits 98FM became Classic Hits 97.7.
 The Original Classic Hits 1251 Logo from 1987 |
 The Classic Hits 97FM Logo used in 1989 |
 Auckland's Classic Hits 97FM logo in 1994, similar to the logos used for all Classic Hits stations today. |
[edit] Slogans
Classic Hits has used the following slogans over the years.
1987: The best of the 60's, 70's and the 80's (Auckland)
1993 - 1998: All the Hits from the 60's to the 90's
1993 - 1998: Good Time Oldies (Wellington and Christchurch)
1993 - 1998: A Better Music Mix <followed by the local frequency>
1998 - 1999: Hits of the 70's, 80's and 90's
2000 - 2005: Hits of the 70's, 80's, 90's and Today
2005 - 2007: 80's, 90's and Whatever!
2007 - present: 80's, 90's and Now!
[edit] Frequency
| City/Town | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | 96.0FM 96.8FM 97.2FM 97.6FM | |
| Auckland | 97.4FM | |
| Waikato | 98.6FM | |
| Tauranga | 95.0FM | |
| Rotorua | 97.5FM 90.9FM | |
| Taupo | 96.7FM | |
| Tokoroa | 96.4FM | |
| Taumarunui | 99.9FM & 92.7FM | |
| Gisborne | 90.9FM | |
| Taranaki | 90.0FM 90.7FM 99.6FM | |
| Hawkes Bay | 89.5FM | |
| Wanganui | 89.6FM | |
| Manawatu | 97.8FM | |
| Kapiti Coast | 92.7FM | |
| Wairarapa | 90.1FM 88.7FM | |
| Wellington | 90.0FM | |
| Nelson | 89.8FM & 1269AM | |
| Marlborough | 96.9FM 1584AM | |
| Greymouth | 91.1FM 93.1FM 97.3FM 90.9FM 90.5FM | |
| Christchurch | 97.7FM 96.5FM | |
| Ashburton | 92.5FM | |
| Timaru | 94.7FM 98.7FM | |
| Twizel | 1485AM | |
| Oamaru | 98.4FM | |
| Central Otago | 90.4FM 99.9FM 96.2FM | |
| Dunedin | 89.4FM | |
| Southland | 98.8FM 90.4FM | |
[edit] External links
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