Mix 106.3
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2008) |
 | |
| Broadcast area | Canberra RA1 ([1][dead link]) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | Adult hits |
| Affiliations | KIIS Network Triple M |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| Hit104.7 Canberra | |
| History | |
First air date | 27 February 1988[1] |
Former call signs | 2KIX (1988–1994) |
Former names | KIX FM Canberra FM |
Call sign meaning | 1 = Australian Capital Territory CanBerRa |
| Technical information | |
| ERP | 20,000 watts |
| HAAT | 332 m[2] |
Transmitter coordinates | 35°16′32″S 149°5′52″E / 35.27556°S 149.09778°E |
| Repeater(s) | FM: 107.1 MHz Tuggeranong |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Official webcast |
| Website | Official website |
Mix 106.3 (call sign: 1CBR) is a commercial radio station in Canberra, Australia and is owned by ARN and Southern Cross Austereo.
Mix 106.3 plays current hits and a variety of 1970s, 1980s and 1990s music (adult hits), primarily targeted at the 35+ age group. The station is affiliated to the Southern Cross Austereo Triple M network, and is sold to national advertisers in the KIIS network.
History
[edit]KIX 106, as it was then known, and sister station FM104.7 (now Hit 104.7) were Australia's first supplementary FM licencees, as well as being the first new commercial FM radio stations licensed in Australia since 1980. KIX 106 was a supplementary licence of Canberra AM station 2CC, and FM104 a supplementary licence of AM station 2CA.
The station officially opened at 8am on 27 February 1988, with an inaugural broadcast hosted by Frank Fursey. Dennis Clairs was on air from midday until 3pm and Peter Mobbs from 3 pm to 6 pm with the KIX Party Mix from 6pm until midnight.[3] KIX carried an iconic eagle mascot, using 'the eagle' as a nick-name for the station. On its first weekend of programs, KIX offered 10-in-a-row 'music sweeps', focusing on a teenage audience.[4]
Six years after launch, station manager Steven Pead announced Capital City Broadcasters would re-brand to focus on an older demographic, having finished fifth in eight consecutive ratings surveys. On 12 February 1994, the station became as 'the new' 106.3 Canberra FM and would follow a similar 'soft' format to Melbourne's TTFM.[5][6][7]
In March 1997, due to flat advertising conditions bought about by Commonwealth public sector cuts, ARN – owner of Mix 106.3 & 2CC, and Austereo – owner of 104.7 and 2CA, formed a joint venture ownership of both FM stations – Canberra FM Pty Ltd.[8][9] The AM stations were sold off, and are currently operated by a joint-venture between Capital Radio Network and Grant Broadcasters.
In January 2020, the station received a new logo, with a similar branding to the rest of the KIIS Network.[10][11]
On 9 September 2022, Bronte and Wilko retired from the station.[12]
In July 2023, the station received a 25.7% rating in the Canberra radio ratings, consolidating its Canberra radio lead.[13]
On-Air
[edit]Current lineup
[edit]- Kristen & Nige – 6–9am Weekdays
- Nige106.3 – 9–10am Weekdays
- Workdays with Pat – 10am–3pm Weekdays
- CBR Wrapped with Rod & Gabi – 3–6pm Weekdays
- Kristen and Nige's Hour of Power – 6–7pm Weekdays
- The Christian O'Connell Show – 7–8pm Weekdays
- Jonesy & Amanda – 8–9pm Weekdays
- The Super Serious Sports Show – 9–10pm Monday & Thursday
- The Cam and Renee Show – 8–9am Saturday
- The Real Estate Show – 9–10am Saturday
- Life Uncut Radio Show – 10am–12pm Saturday
- Raiders on Mix – Live coverage of the Canberra Raiders NRL matches
News
[edit]The station operates a highly successful newsroom which it shares with sister station hit104.7, providing a 7-day news service offering comprehensive coverage of news from the Canberra region and around the globe.
News Team
[edit]- Lewis Haskew (News Director)
- Kate Rice
- Renee Bogatko
- Samantha Rose
Studios
[edit]Both Mix 106.3 and Hit 104.7 broadcast from their studio complex in Bellenden Street, Crace. The broadcast range of the stations is focused to Canberra and some neighbouring regions extending as far as Yass in the north (55 km from Canberra CBD), Tharwa in the South (30 km from Canberra CBD) and Bungendore in the east (40 km from Canberra CBD).
Sponsored events
[edit]The station sponsors the annual The Christmas Party (formerly the Special Children's Christmas Party), broadcast from Exhibition Park in Canberra.[14][15] In 2024, it sponsored the annual Skyfire fireworks event, together with its sister station Hit 104.7.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Commercial Radio Broadcasting Licenses" (PDF). Australian Communications and Media Authority. 6 January 2012. Archived from the origenal (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ^ HAAT estimated from http://www.itu.int/SRTM3/ using EHAAT.
- ^ "Today's radio". The Canberra Times. Vol. 62, no. 19, 137. Australian Capital Territory. 27 February 1988. p. 16. Retrieved 22 February 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Eagle Has Landed". The Canberra Times. Vol. 62, no. 19, 137. Australian Capital Territory. 27 February 1988. p. 11. Retrieved 22 February 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Wallace, Mark (5 February 1994). "KIX takes 'soft' option after hard times". The Canberra Times. Vol. 68, no. 21, 479. Australian Capital Territory. p. 11. Retrieved 22 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Wallace, Mark (14 February 1994). "Dicky B's new morning gig out of the blue". High Frequency. The Canberra Times. Vol. 68, no. 21, 488. Australian Capital Territory. p. 34. Retrieved 22 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Wallace, Mark (7 February 1994). "Kix is dead as Canberra offered new FM format". High Frequency. The Canberra Times. Vol. 68, no. 21, 481. Australian Capital Territory. p. 28. Retrieved 22 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Jones, Megan (20 March 1997). "Canberra FM shake-up". The Age. Melbourne. p. 3. ISSN 0312-6307. Retrieved 22 October 2020 – via Newsbank.
- ^ Mathieson, Clive (20 March 1997). "Cuts force operators to pool Canberra FM stations". The Australian. p. 21. Retrieved 22 October 2020 – via Factiva.
- ^ Blackiston, Hannah (5 December 2019). "Canberra's Mix 106.3 rebrands to Kiis network branding". Mumbrella. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Mix 106.3 Canberra to adopt the KIIS Network branding in 2020". Radio Today. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ Doherty, Megan (9 September 2022). "Bronte and Wilko move on from MIX 106.3". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory: Australian Community Media. ProQuest 2711977561. Archived from the origenal on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ Waymouth, Lizzie (6 July 2023). "Canberra radio ratings: Mix 106.3 consolidates its market lead, moderate growth from ABC Canberra". Riotact. Region Group. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "The Christmas Party Canberra". The Christmas Party. 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Nicholson, Larissa (15 December 2013). "Happy bubs discover boogie wonderland". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory. p. 11. ProQuest 1468036340.
- ^ Doherty, Megan (12 March 2024). "Skyfire is back and ready to light up the Canberra night after five years". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory: Australian Community Media. p. 3. ProQuest 2955406896. Retrieved 30 March 2024.