&sq=crain_ford&lang=en&file=File:The_Hits_2020_Logo.png){kind=logo} | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | New Zealand |
| Frequency | 89.1 FM – 106.1 FM |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English language |
| Format | Hot adult contemporary |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | New Zealand Media and Entertainment |
| History | |
First air date | 1993 |
Former call signs | 1ZM in Auckland |
| Technical information | |
Transmitter coordinates | 36°50′49″S 174°45′54″E / 36.847°S 174.765°E |
| Links | |
| Webcast | 18 webcasts via iHeartRadio |
| Website | thehits |
The Hits is a Hot adult contemporary music radio network, broadcasting to 26 markets across New Zealand. It was set up by Government broadcaster Radio New Zealand in 1993 by consolidating existing stations into a single brand and has been privately owned since 1996. The Hits has had the broadest broadcast reach of any radio network in the country since 1996,[1] and is now available on 40 full-power FM frequencies and 18 iHeartRadio streams.[2][3]
Most of the individual stations started out as local AM stations owned by state broadcaster Radio New Zealand. Many have given a platform to broadcasting names like Selwyn Toogood, Paul Holmes, Peter Sinclair, Jenny-May Clarkson (nee Coffin) and Jason Gunn.[4] John "Boggy" McDowell was an announcer on the Southland station for 33 years.[5] Despite a major reduction in local programmes since 1993, most stations still have a local three-hour breakfast programme or a six-hour daytime programme.[2]
An estimated 282,000 people listen to The Hits every week, including 85,000 people in Auckland region.[6][7] The network targets 25- to 54-year-old homeowners, socially-active parents and price-conscious household shoppers.[8] In April 2014, the network re-branded from Classic Hits to The Hits to attract more younger listeners.[9] Later that year, it came under the ownership of New Zealand Media and Entertainment.[10]
- ^ Shanahan, Morris; Duignam, Gerard (2005). The Impact of Deregulation on the Evolution of New Zealand Commercial Radio. Sydney: Cengage Learning Australia. ISBN 0170124800.
- ^ a b "Regions & Shows". thehits.co.nz. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ "The Hits on iHeartRadio". iHeartRadio. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ "Peter Sinclair". nzonscreen.com. NZ On Screen. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ "The spread of private broadcasters". teara.govt.nz. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ^ "Radio Surveys". Research International. 3 October 2014. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Auckland Commercial Radio Audience Measurement Survey 2/2014". TNS Research. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ "Classic Hits". trb.co.nz. The Radio Bureau. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ Damien Venuto (15 April 2014). "Stepping out of radio's dark ages: TRN rebrands Classic Hits and incorporates cross-channel content delivery". steppress.co.nz. Stop Press. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ^ "The Hits". nzme.co.nz. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Retrieved 5 June 2015.