Triple M Classic Rock Digital
| Triple M Classic Rock Digital | |
| Locations | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide |
| Formats | DAB+ radio, internet, mobile |
| Slogan | The Rock That Started It All Is Back! |
| Debut | 25 November 2013 |
| Owner | Southern Cross Austereo |
Triple M Classic Rock Digital is a classic rock format digital-only radio station, broadcast in Australian capital cities by Southern Cross Austereo's Triple M radio network. The station can be heard on DAB+ FM radios, mobile phones, and on-line. Triple M Classic Rock Digital was officially launched at 10.00 a.m. (AEDT) on 25 November 2013, and replaced its low rating and defunct sister station Radar Radio. It plays music without interruption with no announcer talkback, and only breaks every few songs for network promos and competition announcements.
Launch
Southern Cross Austereo hinted at the launch of a new digital-only station with the registration of the Triple M Classic Rock Digital domain name (triplemclassicrock.com) on 23 July 2013,[1] and a tweet which alluded to the promise of a 'big digital radio announcement' by the Director of Digital and Innovation at Southern Cross Austereo, Clive Dickens, on 28 October 2013.[2] At one minute to midnight, a news article was published on the Triple M website, entitled 'Triple M Classic Rock Digital', detailing the name and date of launch of the new station.[3] A formal press release was issued on 29 October 2013, with the Head of Southern Cross Austereo Digital Radio, Jaime Chaux stating:
'Digital Radio for SCA is all about creating new listening choices. Classic rock is a much loved genre in Australia– endless songs and stories from an amazing era and so many of them long lost from the radio dial. We can't wait to get it out there via our newest digital radio offering.' — Jaime Chaux, Southern Cross Austereo press release[4]
To tie in with the launch, Triple M cashed in on the recent departure of stalwart morning announcers on their sister Sydney station 2Day FM 104.1, Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O. Both had been lured to rival FM network Australian Radio Network (ARN), which was attempting to rebrand their Sydney easy-listening format station Mix 106.5FM to pop focused KIIS-FM[5][6] as part of their deal. Triple M Classic Rock Digital would launch by playing music by American rock band Kiss for 24 hours non-stop,[7] and be temporarily called 'Kiss Radio'.[8]
AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Queen, Skyhooks, the Angels and Neil Young are on heavy rotation.
Special events
- 25 November 2013 - 24-hour Kiss launch
- 16 December 2013 - All-day Rolling Stones tour special
- 9 January 2014 - David Bowie birthday special
- 15 February 2014 - 'Boss Day' Bruce Springsteen special
Sports coverage
On 25 March 2014, Triple M announced that they, in collaboration with radio station talkSPORT, would broadcast the English Barclays Premier League and FA Cup match commentary for the remainder of the 2014 season, and also the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.[9]
Slogan
Triple M Classic Rock Digital launched with the tagline 'The Rock That Started It All Is Back!', which alludes to their classic rock format and that it was this music that launched Australia's first ever commercial FM radio station, 2MMM, on 2 August 1980.[10]
Logo
The station uses the existing Triple M logo featuring the character 'Dr. Dan', an electric guitar-playing satyr with wings, inspired by the artwork of Australian illustrator Peter Ledger, with influence from Led Zeppelin's Swan Song Records logo of a winged Apollo. It uses a modified Avant Garde Gothic Bold font for the phrase 'Classic Rock'.
Radio specifications
| Location | Format | Channel block | Frequency (MHz) | Spectrum band | Bandwidth (kps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | DAB+ | 9A | 202.928 | III | 56 |
| Melbourne | DAB+ | 9B | 204.640 | III | 56 |
| Brisbane | DAB+ | 9B | 204.640 | III | 56 |
| Adelaide | DAB+ | 9B | 204.640 | III | 56 |
References
- ↑ TriplemClassicRock.com Whois Record. DomainTools (25 July 2013). Retrieved on 30 November 2013.
- ↑ Dickens, Clive (28 October 2013). Last week we released over 100 new SCA apps - Tonight watch out for a very BIG Digital Radio announcement. Twitter. Retrieved on 30 November 2013.
- ↑ Triple M Classic Rock Digital. Triple M. Southern Cross Austereo (28 October 2013). Retrieved on 30 November 2013.
- ↑ Hemphill, Brooke (30 October 2013). Triple M to launch digital channel. Mumbrella. Focal Attractions. Retrieved on 30 November 2013.
- ↑ Their preferred name KISS-FM had already been registered by another Australian station previously and could not be used.
- ↑ The Hollywood Reporter (29 October 2013). KIIS-FM Radio Brand Headed to Australia. Billboard. Retrieved on 30 November 2013.
- ↑ Triple M launching Classic Rock Digital with 24 hours of KISS. KISS quotes. Facebook (24 November 2013). Retrieved on 30 November 2013.
- ↑ Hales, Mark (25 November 2013). Kyle & Jackie O fight for social networks, Triple M launch Classic Rock Digital, ABC discover how pay data leaked. The Music Network. Retrieved on 30 November 2013.
- ↑ Triple M Classic Rock Digital to broadcast Live Premier League commentary, SCA News, Southern Cross Austereo Group, 25 March 2014. Retrieved on 7 April 2014.
- ↑ Hales, Mark (29 October 2013). SCA launch new digital channel. Radio Today. Retrieved on 30 November 2013.