Classic Hits FM
 | |
| Broadcast area | 25 markets in New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Frequency | See below |
| Owner | The Radio Network |
| Website | classichits.co.nz |
Classic Hits is an adult contemporary music radio network broadcasting in 25 markets throughout New Zealand, targeting 25 - 55 year olds. Its a family-focused radio network with some of New Zealand's most experienced broadcasters on air and behind the scenes. It currently has around 309,000 listeners nationwide.[1] The head offices and main studios of Classic Hits are located on the corner of Cook and Nelson Streets in Auckland City, along with the other seven stations of The Radio Network. However, each Classic Hits market has its own local studios, as most markets air a local breakfast show.
Classic Hits nationwide network
Classic Hits is an AC radio station.
The station lineup changed on 23 July 2012, which added an additional afternoon show between 4pm and 7pm in addition to the existing shows.
| Station Lineup | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Time slot | Description |
| Breakfast | Monday - Friday 6am - 9am | Local Breakfast Show with nationwide news every 30 minutes with James Williams followed by sport, weather and cancellations. Weather and cancellations are read out locally in all regions. |
| Network Breakfast | Monday - Friday 6am - 9am | A live networked breakfast show presented by Andy Mack. The show is separate from the local Auckland breakfast show and broadcast from a second studio. It is often taken by markets where presenters are on holiday. There are some local elements to the show, in that the host in Auckland pre-records two local voice breaks per hour exclusively for each region taking the network show that day, talking about happenings in the area. Apart from this, all other voice breaks are the same across all regions taking the Network breakfast. |
| Morning | Monday - Friday 9am - 12pm | Presented by Peter Dakin |
| Daytime | Monday - Friday 12pm - 4pm | Presented by Jason "J.T." Tikao |
| Drive | Monday - Friday 4pm - 7pm | Presented by Dave Fitzgerald and Guy Parsons (broadcast from Christchurch). |
| Night | Monday - Friday 7pm - 12am | Presented by Estelle Clifford |
| Weekend Mornings | Saturdays & Sundays 7am-12pm | Presented by experienced broadcaster John "J.D." Dunstan features music and prizes across the weekend. |
| Weekend Afternoons | Saturdays & Sundays 12pm-6pm | Continuation of music and prizes across the weekend. Hosted by week Night show host Estelle Clifford, morning host Peter Dakin or Auckland's breakfast producer Dave Ward on Saturdays, and either afternoon show host Jason "J.T." Tikao or network breakfast host Andy Mack on Sundays. |
| Saturday Night Party Mix | Saturday 6pm - Sunday 2am | Saturday Night commercial free, announcer free party music show. This show is also broadcast on public holidays, regardless of the day in the same timeframe. |
| Sunday Nights | Sundays 6pm-midnight | Presented by Blair Dowling. |
Overnight (between 12am-6am weekdays, 12am-7am weekends) the station is automated.
Individual stations
| Market | Transmitter(s) | Frequency (MHz) |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | Horokaka Russell Hikurangi Maungataniwha | 95.6 106.1 96.4 96.4 |
| Auckland | Sky Tower | 97.4 |
| Waikato | Te Aroha | 98.6 |
| Tauranga | Kopukairua | 95.0 |
| Rotorua | Pukepoto | 97.5 |
| Taupo | Tuhingamata | 96.8 |
| Tokoroa | Colsons Hill | 97.3 |
| Gisborne | Wheatstone Road | 90.9 |
| Taranaki | Mount Egmont/Taranaki | 90.0 |
| Hawkes Bay | Mount Threave | 89.5 |
| Wairoa | 99.7 | |
| Wanganui | Bastia Hill | 89.6 |
| Manawatu | Wharite | 97.8 |
| Kapiti Coast | Forest Heights | 92.7 |
| Wairarapa | Otahoua | 90.3 |
| Wellington | Tinakori Hill | 90.1 |
| Nelson | Grampians | 89.6 |
| Marlborough | Wither Hills Mount Freeth | 96.9 89.1 |
| Greymouth | Greymouth Paparoa Reefton Mount Rochfort | 90.7 93.1 97.5 90.9 90.5 |
| Christchurch | Sugarloaf Southshore | 97.7 96.5 |
| Ashburton | Winchmore Somerset House | 92.5 89.3 |
| Timaru | Mount Studholme | 94.7 |
| Oamaru | Cape Wanbrow | 98.4 |
| Central Otago | Peninsula Hill Obelisk Mount Maude | 90.4 99.9 96.2 |
| Dunedin | Mount Cargill | 89.4 |
| Southland | Hedgehope Mount Prospect | 98.8 90.4 |
Northland's Classic Hits
Classic Hits is covered through the Northland region using four frequencies - 96.4FM in the Far North, 106.1FM in the Bay of Islands, 96.4FM in the Mid North and 95.6FM in Whangarei.
Originally known as Radio Northland and broadcasting on 1026 and 1215 AM with the call sign 1ZN, the station moved to 96FM in Whangarei during the late 1990s.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Mike Plant and Charmaine Soljak.
The station is located on Bank Street, Whangarei.
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 Auckland 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). All other shows are produced from the same Auckland studios for the entire Classic Hits network.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Jason Reeves, Stacey Morrison and Justin Brown.
The station is located at The Radio Network headquarters on the corner of Cook and Nelson Streets in Auckland.
Waikato's Classic Hits 98.6 ZHFM
Originally Waikato's 1ZH this station was first started in 1949 broadcasting on 1310 AM. The station moved to 1296 AM in 1978. On air names included 1300 1ZH and Hits and Memories 1ZH during the 1980s.
The station became 98.6 ZHFM on 25 May 1990 when the station 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 ZHFM in 1993. The 98.6 ZHFM frequency can also be heard in Tauranga, the outskirts of Auckland and in a number of places in Northland due to its high power and the high elevation of its transmission site.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Mark Bunting.
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. He moved back to the Waikato breakfast show in 2007.
The station is located on Hardley Street in Hamilton Central.
South Waikato's Classic Hits 97.3FM
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 was part of the Classic Hits Community Radio Network.
The station used to have its own local breakfast show, but in 2012 this was replaced with the Waikato breakfast show hosted by Mark Bunting with local advertising.
The station is located on Bridge Street in Tokoroa.
Classic Hits 95 BOP FM
Originally 1ZD Radio B.O.P. broadcasting on 1008 AM. The station moved to 95.0FM around 1990 becoming 95 B.O.P. FM. The station was rebranded as Classic Hits in 1993. Classic Hits 98.6 ZHFM can also be heard in Tauranga.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Will Johnston and Bridget Hastie.
The station is located on Harrington Street in Tauranga City.
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.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Paul Hickey and Rachel Sutton.
The station is located on Fenton Street in Rotorua City.
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 the 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.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Adam Green.
The station is located on Paora Hapi Street in Taupo.
Gisborne's Classic Hits 90.9
Originally known as 2XG on 1010AM, then 'The Coaster 2ZG' on 945 AM, before moving to 90.9FM, and later being rebranded as Classic Hits 90.9.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Joel Palmer.
The station is located on the corner of Grey Street and Childers Road in Gisborne.
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.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Jordan Brannigan and Eryn Deverson. Previous breakfast host for 15 years, Barney (Brent Procter) retired from broadcasting as of 20 December 2013.
The station is located on the corner of Powderham and Brougham Streets in New Plymouth Central.
Hawke's Bay's Classic Hits 89.5
Originally known as 2ZC or Bay City Radio broadcasting on 1280AM, later 1278AM, since 1 October 1957, the station moved to 89.5FM in 1994 and it became 'Classic Hits 89FM - Bay City Radio'. In 2002, the station's name was altered to 'Classic Hits 89.5 - Bay City Radio', but is now known as Classic Hits Eighty-Nine Five. From 1 January 2011, the station began a relay station in Wairoa on 99.7FM.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Martin Good and Sarah Van Der Kley. Until 24 December 2011, Saturday breakfast was hosted by Neil Dunn.
This station broadcast's from the famous Broadcasting House building on the corner of Dickens & Dalton Streets in Napier - one of only two central city building's left standing following the 1931 Napier Earthquake.
Manawatu's Classic Hits 97.8 ZAFM
Originally known as 2ZA and broadcasting on 940AM, later 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.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Richard Dryden and Kate Robinson.
A 'Best of the Week' show used to air between 6am and 10am on Saturdays before being replaced in 2012 by networked programming.
The station is located on Main Street in Palmerston North.
Wanganui's Classic Hits River City 89.6
Originally known as 2XA this station began broadcasting in Wanganui in October 1949 on 1200AM. The station was later renamed to 2ZW and moved to 1197AM in 1978. The station was renamed to River City Radio in 1988 and 89.6 River City FM in 1993 after the station began broadcasting on 89.6FM. In 2001 the station became Classic Hits River City FM after joining the Classic Hits network.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Darryl Mallett.
The station is located on the corner of Guyton and Campbell Streets, Wanganui.
Classic Hits Kapiti-Horowhenua 92.7
Originally Classic Hits broadcast on 89.4FM as a relay of Classic Hits 90FM in Wellington, this station broadcast on 89.4 as far back as 1991 when the station was 2ZB and later B90FM. In 2001 this relay was dropped and replaced with Newstalk ZB. Classic Hits made a return to the Kapiti area in 2004 on 92.7FM a frequency previously used by Sports Roundup/Radio Sport. Programming on the new station was separate to Classic Hits 90FM in Wellington with the station presenting its own local breakfast. However in 2009 this local breakfast show was dropped and replaced with Wellington's Classic Hits breakfast show, presented by Camille Guzzwell and Jay Harvie.
Despite no local breakfast show, the station still has a local office on Kapiti Road, Paraparaumu.
Classic Hits Wairarapa 90.3
Originally known as 2XB this station was first started in March 1958 broadcasting on 840AM. The stations call sign was changed to 2ZD in 1968 and in 1978 the station moved to 846AM. The station was known on air during the 1980s and 1990s as Radio Wairarapa before becoming 90.1 Wairarapa FM in 1999, when the station began broadcasting on 90.1FM. In 2001 the station was rebranded as Classic Hits Wairarapa. The broadcast frequency was changed to 90.3FM in October 2010.
As of 2013 the station no longer has a local breakfast show and instead takes a feed of the Wellington breakfast show presented by Camille and Jay.
Despite no local breakfast show, the station still has a local office on Church Street, Masterton.
Wellington's Classic Hits 90.1
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 1996, 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 1998 when local shows succumbed to network programming. The Kapiti Coast repeater was eventually dropped and replaced with Newstalk ZB. On October 27, 2010, the station shifted frequencies to 90.1FM, to comply with Government broadcasting regulations.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Camille Guzzwell and Jay Harvie, and produced by Caitlin Marett.
The station is located on the Corner of Taranaki and Abel Smith Streets, in Central Wellington.
Nelson's Classic Hits 89.6
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). This left Nelson launching Radio Hauraki on 90.6FM in early 2007. It is now simply known as 'Classic Hits 89.6'.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Jordan Brannigan. The Classic Breakfast was hosted by Kent Robertson until his last show, on Friday October 12, 2012.
The station is located on Selwyn Place in Nelson City.
Classic Hits Marlborough 96.9
Originally branded as Radio Marlborough, this station was first launched in 1965 as 2ZE broadcasting on 1540AM. The station moved to 1539AM in 1978 and then became Radio Marlborough. A relay to Picton was also established in 1981, also on 1539AM, but in 1993 moved to 1584AM. Radio Marlborough began broadcasting on 96.9FM in 1991. The station became Classic Hits Radio Marlborough in 2001 and at the same time the AM frequency was used to launch Radio Sport in the Marlborough region.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Scott Radovanovich.
The station is located on Level 3, 1 Market Street (Clubs of Marlborough end), Blenheim.
West Coast's Classic Hits Scenicland FM
Formerly known as Radio Scenicland, on 747 AM in Greymouth (callsign 3ZA), 1287 AM in Westport (callsign 3ZW) and 1521 AM in Reefton (callsign 3ZR), this station was part of the Community Radio Network. 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 90.7/93.1FM
- Hokitika 93.1FM
- South Westland 90.5FM
The local breakfast show is hosted by Phil Lemon.
The station is based on Tainui Street in Greymouth.
Christchurch's Classic Hits 97.7
Originally known as 'B98FM - The Best Music Mix" in the early 1990s, this station was rebranded as 'Goodtime Oldies 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 air during the daytime only, and as announcers left the station, reduced even further. Currently the only local content is the breakfast show, as with other Classic Hits stations. The station was located on Worcester Street, Central Christchurch in the former TVNZ studio building. However, due to the devastating earthquake on 22 February 2011, the studio moved temporarily to Riccarton Road, Christchurch.
The local breakfast show is hosted by AJ Funnell, Chloe Emirali and Andy Ellis.
AJ and Chloe previously presented breakfast on Classic Hits Rotorua prior to their shift to Christchurch.
Until Friday 20 July 2012, the local breakfast show was hosted by Jason Gunn and Dave Fitzgerald. From 23 July 2012 Jason and Dave moved to broadcasting a nationwide Drive show between 4pm and 7pm broadcast from the Classic Hits Christchurch studios to all of New Zealand. Jason and Dave also pre-recorded a show for the nationwide network to air on Saturday mornings, featuring the best bits from their show each week, but this was later axed in November 2013 in a programming restructure where two 6 hour on-air shifts replaced three shifts (6-9am, 9am-2pm, 2-6pm Saturday), and the prerecorded 'best of' shows were axed.
The station is located on a new purpose-built facility on Midas Place, Middleton, Christchurch.
Ashburton's Classic Hits 92.5 ZEFM
Originally known as 3ZE on 873 AM, this station is part of the Classic Hits Community Radio Network. It now broadcasts on 92.5FM.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Phill Hooper.
The station is located on the corner of Burnett and East Streets, Ashburton.
South Canterbury's Classic Hits 98.7 and 94.7
Originally known as Radio Caroline on 1152 AM, this station joined the Classic Hits network in 1995, originally as Classic Hits 99FM. In 1998 the station was dropped from the Classic Hits network and became part of the Community Radio Network as South Canterbury's 99FM. At this stage programming was reduced to a local breakfast show, and outside this time all programming came from the Community Radio Network studio in Taupo. In 2001 all Community Radio Network stations became part of Classic Hits, and as a result the station rejoined the Classic Hits network as Classic Hits 98.7. At the same time the 1152 AM frequency was reassigned to Newstalk ZB. In 2005 the station began broadcasting on 94.7FM as well as the existing 98.7FM frequency; as a result the station became known as Classic Hits 98.7 and 94.7.
The station is located on North Street in Timaru. The former Sophia Street studios were demolished to make way for car parking. The local breakfast show is hosted by Sam Wilson, who moved from neighbouring Waitaki's Classic Hits to replace previous host Brad Richards.
Waitaki'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 'Waitaki's Classic Hits 98.4'.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Josh McIntyre.
The station is located on Thames Street in Oamaru.
Classic Hits Southern Lakes
A recent member of the Classic Hits Network, this station launched in 2005. The station covers Queenstown on 90.4FM, Wanaka on 96.2FM and Alexandra on 99.9FM.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Craig 'Ferg' Ferguson.
The station is based on Earl Street, Queenstown.
Dunedin's Classic Hits 89.4
Originally known as 4ZB on 1044 AM, then ZBFM on 89.4FM 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 changed to 'Classic Hits 89.4'.
The local breakfast show is hosted by Callum Procter and Patrina Roche.
The station is located on George Street, Dunedin City. Until 2008 the station broadcast from the NZBC, then from the Radio Network studios in Albany Street.
Southland's Classic Hits 98.8 ZAFM
This station was originally Southland's 4ZA on 864 AM. 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, local announcers often left the 'ZAFM' in during voice breaks as well as in locally created audio for the station.
The local breakfast show is hosted by James McRobie and Rachel Quinn.
Previously the breakfast show was hosted by John "Boggy" McDowell. Boggy started on the 4ZA breakfast show on 1 June 1979 and remained presenting this show until 21 December 2012. Local news and sport was read by Malcolm Gayfer until the end of 2012. A local news service is no longer available. Malcolm Gayfer was with the station for 25 years and for a time was Boggy's co-host.
Boggy announced he would be leaving the station at the end of 2012 after deciding to accept a position as the new network drive host on fellow TRN station Coast from the start of 2013. Following the announcement, Boggy's then co-host Tracy Kilkelly moved to an administration role with The Radio Network Southland, and James McRobie stepped into Tracy's place. From 2013 James McRobie was joined by Becky Morgan, previously of Classic Hits Nelson. However, she later left at the end of 2013.
The station is located on the corner of Don and Deveron Streets, Invercargill.
Defunct stations
Classic Hits Radio Waitomo
Originally Radio Waitomo, this station was launched in Te Kuiti in 1985 broadcasting on 1170 AM with the call sign 1ZW. Local programming was limited. The station became part of the Community Radio Network in 1998 and joined the Classic Hits network in 2001 when all other Community Radio Network stations became part of Classic Hits.
This is the first known station to be removed from the Classic Hits network. In November 2003 the station was closed down, and in 2004 the station frequency was taken over by The Voice of Waitomo Trust and relaunched as The Voice of Waitomo. Later in 2004 the station reverted to its original name Radio Waitomo. This station closed down in 2005 due to a lack of funding and support from the community.
Classic Hits King Country Radio
Originally King Country Radio, this station was launched in Taumarunui in 1966 on 1520 AM with the call sign 1ZU. The station moved to 1512 AM in 1978. In 1998 the station became part of the Community Radio Network. King Country Radio joined the Classic Hits family in 2001, along will all other Community Radio Network stations. The station began broadcasting on 99.9FM in Taumarunui, and in 2006 extended coverage to the rest of the King Country region on 92.7FM.
The station had its local breakfast show dropped in March 2009. At first programming was voicetracked from Hamilton and later Classic Hits introduced a new networked breakfast. The purpose of the networked breakfast was as an alternative show when a local stations announcer was on holiday or sick and no one local could fill in. For King Country, the networked breakfast was a permanent fixture featuring local weather and one localized voice break each hour containing region specific information. King Country was the only region to take the networked breakfast permanently.
The Radio Network announced in February 2010 that Classic Hits King Country Radio would be closing down, and the station ceased broadcasting on March 31, 2010. The company had originally planned to shut down the frequencies of the station, but they reached a deal so that they were sold to Peak FM, a Ruapehu owned and operated company which also broadcasts to National Park, Raetihi, Ohakune, Waiouru and Taihape.
History
Classic Hits 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 in 1997, replacing Magic 91FM. In 1989 Auckland's Classic Hits moved to FM, becoming Classic Hits 97FM.
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, this logo was used by all Classic Hits stations until June 2011.
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, as "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 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, Waikato's Classic Hits ZHFM became Classic Hits 98.6 ZHFM and Christchurch's Classic Hits 98FM became Classic Hits 97.7.
In 2008 the heritage branding was dropped from the majority of the Classic Hits stations. Stations such as Classic Hits 97.8 ZAFM in Manawatu is now known simply as Classic Hits 97.8 and Classic Hits 98.6 ZHFM in Waikato became Classic Hits 98.6. Stations not affected by this change are Classic Hits stations that broadcast on multiple frequencies, such as Classic Hits Northland and Classic Hits Southern Lakes. In 2009 local branding in each market was changed to remove the point from the frequency, for example Classic Hits 97.4 is now announced as Classic Hits 97-4.
In 2009 the network breakfast was introduced. While all regions have their own local breakfast show, this show is available for regions when the local announcer is unable to present the show and no one local can fill in. King Country did take this show permanently for a year before the station was eventually closed down.
In 2010 local breakfast shows at weekends were dropped in most markets and replaced with the networked show. Later that year this was replaced with a pre-recorded show from Christchurch on Saturdays and Wellington on Sundays; these shows were highlight shows from the local Christchurch and Wellington breakfast shows. At this point The Radio Network cut funding for local breakfast shows at weekends, however some markets such as Southland remained local as the announcer chose to present the show without pay or, in the case of Dunedin, the show is a highlights show of the local breakfast show.
In 2012 all weekday local breakfast shows were cut by one hour, now from 6am to 9am rather than the previous 6am to 10am. Networked workday host from Auckland, Murray Lindsay, starts one hour earlier at 9am. Any local Saturday breakfast shows which were left (for example Manawatu, Southland) were also completely cut in 2012 and replaced with network product.
In July 2012 Classic Hits changed their traditional line up of Breakfast, Daytime, Drive and Night show programming to include an additional show between 4pm and 7pm. Murray Lindsay's Daytime show now ends at midday instead of 2pm and J.T's show now broadcasts between 12pm and 4pm. The additional show is presented by former Classic Hits 97.7 Christchurch presenters Jason Gunn and Dave Fitzgerald. Unlike the rest of the Classic Hits network programming, this show is broadcast from the Classic Hits Christchurch studios.
Music
Classic Hits plays an adult contemporary mix of music, however in more recent years the station's playlist has tended to be aimed towards a younger audience. When Classic Hits was rolled out across New Zealand in 1993 and 1994, all stations were still local and created their own playlists. In Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch the Classic Hits stations usually played music from the 1960s and 1970s as an "oldies" format. The rest of New Zealand created their playlist using a mixture of music from the 1960s to current hits in the 1990s. For many stations, becoming part of the Classic Hits network saw a slight change in format with many older tracks being added into the station's playlists.
By 1996, music from the sixties had been dropped from the playlists of Classic Hits stations except in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. 1960s music was dropped from these regions much later. By 1998 all regions were playing the same music, although at this point Christchurch remained local and made up its own playlist. In 2005 music from the 1970s started dropping from the playlist and more tracks from the 2000s added in. By 2008 Classic Hits was typically playing one 1970s track per hour as a 'Back in the day Classic'. At the same time more tracks from artists such as Nirvana, Snoop Dogg and Evanescence were being added into the playlist as the station aimed to target a younger audience. In 2009 music from the 1980s began being reduced as well. The 'Back in the day Classic' is typically from the 1980s with most music on the station now from the 1990s and 2000s.
Slogans
Classic Hits has used the following slogans over the years:
- 1987 - 1993: The best of the 1960s, 1970s and the 1980s (Auckland)
- 1993 - 1995: All the Hits from the 1960s to the 1990s
- 1993 - 1995: Good Time Oldies (Wellington and Christchurch)
- 1993 - 1998: A Better Music Mix <followed by the local frequency>
- 1996 - 1998: From the Nineties to the Seventies
- 1998 - 1999: Hits of the 70s, 80s and 90s
- 2000 - 2005: Hits of the 70s, 80s, 90s and Today
- 2005 - 2007: 80s, 90s and Whatever!
- 2007 - 2009: 80s, 90s and Now!
Between August 2009 and May 2011 no slogan was associated with Classic Hits stations.
- 2011–Present: 80s 90s Today
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 the Waikato to host the breakfast show he previously hosted. | Breakfast Host on Waikato's Classic Hits 98.6 ZHFM |
| Pat Courtenay | Drivetime show | 1998–1999 | Breakfast Host on Radio Nova (Dublin, Ireland) | |
| Andrew Dickens | Drivetime show | 1999–2000 | Moved to Auckland Breakfast Show | Breakfast Host on Auckland's Classic Hits until November 2010. Now works Sunday Mornings on Newstalk ZB. |
| Andy Dye | Night Show | 1998–2000 | Hosted Breakfast in Dunedin for Some Time until 2002, Now A Real Estate Agent In Auckland | |
| Pat Brittenden | Friday Night Fever/Weekend Breakasts. | 2007–2009 | Redundancy | Now works at New Zealand's Rhema |
| Will Johnston | Night show | 2007–2008 | Moved to Northland Breakfast Show | Breakfast Host on Bay of Plenty's Classic Hits 95FM |
| Gael Ludlow | Love Songs to Midnight Nightshow | 2001–2002 | New format | Presented the same show on Easy Mix, before being made redundant. |
| Peter Sinclair | The original Love Songs to Midnight Nightshow. | 1993–1997 | Died in 2001 | |
| Alison Leonard | Nationwide Breakfast Newsreader | 2004–2007 | Moved to other TRN station Easy Mix | Easy Mix Breakfast Show
Now on Radioworks's The Breeze 10am to 2pm as the new daytime host |
| Dave Smart | Night show | 2004–2007 | Moved to Wellington Breakfast Show. | Breakfast Host on Wellington's Classic Hits 90.1FM |
| Dene Young | Night show | 2003–2004 | Went overseas | Breakfast host on Radio Hauraki |
| Heemi Katene-Hill | Night Show | 2008–2009 | ||
| Melanie Homer | Nationwide Breakfast Newsreader | 2007–2010 | Moved to other TRN station Radio Hauraki | Radio Live News and More FM |
| Jason Reeves | Network Drive Host | 2007–2010 | Moved to the local Auckland Breakfast Show | Breakfast on Classic Hits Auckland 97.4, still heard on network during weekends/holidays. |
| Luke Taplin | Alternate Sunday Night Show Host | 2010–2011 | Moved to other TRN station ZM. | Weekday Night Show on ZM Network. |
| Mike Plant | Sunday Night Show Host | 2011 - 2012 | Moved to the local Northland breakfast show | Breakfast on Classic Hits Northland |
| Murray Lindsay | Network Night Show Host 1997 - 1998 Network Daytime Show Host 1998 - 2012 |
1997 - 2012 | Moved to host Daytime Show on other TRN station Coast. | |
| Guy Parsons | Alternate Saturday Afternoon Show Host | 2011 - 2012 | Moved to work on The Erin Simpson Show. | Returned in 2014 to Classic Hits Drive |
| Jason Gunn | Network Drive Host | 2012 - 2013 | Personal reasons | MediaWorks Radio |
References
- ↑ "Radio Surveys". Research International. 5 October 2012.
- ↑ "RADIO FREQUENCIES". Classic Hits. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ↑ http://fmscan.org/net.php?r=f&m=s&itu=NZL&pxf=Classic+Hits
External links
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