Hitz 247 is a youth contemporary hit radio-formatted internet radio station, based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Founded by Andrew Gyopar and born out of former aspirant community station Hitz FM, the station began streaming online on 30 December 2011.
 | |
| Broadcast area | Australia |
|---|---|
| Branding | Hitz 247 |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | College radio Contemporary hit radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Hitz Entertainment |
| History | |
First air date | 30 December 2011 |
| Links | |
| Website | hitz247 |
As well as providing programming that appeals to its young audience Hitz 247 also actively encourages young people to become involved with the station.[1] Listeners are encouraged to produce and present radio programs and to contribute content to the stations website.
Hitz 247 also supports numerous non-profit youth organisations, increasing awareness of such organisations among its young listeners.[2][3]
History
editHitz 247 started broadcasting on the internet at 9am on Friday 30 December 2011. The first song played on the station was Zoe Badwi’s "Carry Me Home".
In mid-2011 Hitz 247 conducted a survey called Build Your Own Radio Station. Over 1,000 young Australians were surveyed about their musical preferences and radio listening habits. The responses formed the basis of the programming policies of Hitz 247.
Hitz 247 was inspired by Melbourne aspirant youth community radio station Hitz FM
Hitz FM
edit| Broadcast area | Melbourne, Australia |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 89.9 MHz FM |
| Branding | Hitz FM |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | College radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Hitz FM Broadcasters Inc |
| History | |
First air date | 4 December 1992 |
Last air date | 6 November 2001 |
| Technical information | |
| Class | Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence (TCBL) |
| ERP | 56 kW |
| Links | |
| Website | Hitz FM |
Hitz FM was an aspirant youth-formatted community radio station in Melbourne, which ran a series of test broadcasts between 1992 and 2001 on the then-vacant frequency of 89.9 MHz FM.[4] Run predominantly by volunteers, the station limited involvement to people under the age of 30. In 2001, the Australian Broadcasting Authority chose SYN FM over Hitz FM for a youth licence and the station was disbanded.[5]
Test Broadcasts
| Broadcast dates | Studio location |
|---|---|
| 4 December 1992 – 13 December 1992 | John Gardener Secondary College, Hawthorn |
| 3 July 1993 – 18 July 1993 | Xavier College, Kew |
| 8 December 1993 – 11 March 1994 | Station Street, Moorabbin |
| 15 December 1994 - 28 January 1995 7 April 1995 - 29 April 1995 22 September 1995 - 14 October 1995 29 December 1995 - 27 January 1996 21 June 1996 - 20 July 1996 13 September 1996 - 12 October 1996 27 December 1996 - 25 January 1997 20 June 1997 - 19 July 1997 19 September 1997 - 17 October 1997 26 December 1997 - 24 January 1998 13 April 1998 - 7 June 1998 12 December 1998 - 24 January 1999 26 July 1999 - 5 September 1999 7 February 2000 - 12 March 2000 4 September 2000 - 8 October 2000 26 February 2001 - 1 April 2001 9 October 2001 – 6 November 2001 |
Level 9, 505 St Kilda Road, Mellbourne |
Notable alumni
editLike Hitz 247, Hitz FM was a training ground for aspiring professional radio presenters. Notable Hitz FM alumni include:
- Andrew Gyopar (Founding Member)
- Anton Vanderlely (Founder)
- Corey Layton (Southern Cross Austereo)[6]
- Gabriel McGrath (Founding Member)
- James Ash
- Julie Doyle (Founding Member, ABC News 24)
- Mary-Jane Fenech (Senior Producer, ABC Radio Melbourne)
- Nick Karlas (Founder)
- Ty Frost (smoothfm 91.5)
- Orion Kelsall (3GG)
- Paul Dowsley (Seven News)
Programming
editHitz 247 relied upon the responses from its Build Your Own Radio Station survey in developing its playlist and programming at its launch in 2011.
The station plays mostly pop music and has a strong bias towards Australian music.[7] Approximately half of the music played on Hitz 247 is by Australian artists. The station also features a lot of new music in its playlist.
The programs on Hitz 247 are all presented by people under the age of 30. As such, the programs are presented from a youth perspective.[8] In order for Hitz 247 to exclude people over the age of 30 from participating in programming it sought government approval for an exemption under the Equal Opportunity Act.[9]
Hitz 247 encourages unsigned Australian musicians to submit their musical recordings to the station for addition to its playlist. Aspiring radio presenters are encouraged to become involved in the stations programming.
References
edit- ^ Bulleen family act goes to air, Manningham Leader, 25 June 2012 Archived 5 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Childwise August Newsletter[permanent dead link], Childwise, August 2012
- ^ Youth community links Archived 21 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Hitz 247 website
- ^ "Hitztory". HitzFM.net.au | The Official Archive. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ "SYN FM, Triple Seven, SEIMA and Joy to get Melbourne community radio licences". Australian Broadcasting Authority. 19 December 2001. Archived from the original on 11 April 2005. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ "HiTZ FM 89.9 MELBOURNE". Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ Introducing the hitz wins over young fans[permanent dead link], Hills Shire Times, 5 June 2012
- ^ Finding the perfect gig, while in high school[permanent dead link], Heidelberg Leader, 27 May 2012
- ^ Victorian Government Gazette No. G12, 22 March 2012 Archived 2 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Victorian Government, 22 March 2012