Triple M may have shut down its popular Classic Rock digital station last month, but punters shouldn’t be too downhearted, because there is no shortage of rock music hitting Aussie airwaves over the coming months.
To appease fans of Triple M’s now-defunct DAB station, the Southern Cross Austereo network is launching its Classic Rock Summer format this December.
Speaking to The Music, Triple M’s Head of Content, Mike Fitzpatrick says listeners are in for a big summer.
“We’re celebrating the great classic rock of the past, as well as what classic rock means in 2016,” Fitzpatrick explains.
Fans can expect to hear from hits from names like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Sting and more.
“There’s a lot of new music around from some classic artists that we want to feature as well as look back at their old stuff,” Fitzpatrick continues.
“I think what classic rock is in 2016 is very different from the old perception of what classic rock was as a late ‘60s and early ‘70s genre of music.”
The news comes after SCA Chief Creative Officer Guy Dobson revealed the decision to shut down the Classic Rock DAB station was because due to its popularity, it actually started to impact Triple M’s listenership.
“The station was a victim of its own success,” Dobson told MediaWeek last month.
“We found that Classic Rock Digital was eating into the cume audience for Triple M.”
Meanwhile, beloved Melbourne sports AM network, 1116 SEN, has just this week launched new sister station, Classic Rock Radio.
The new addition is now the only dedicated classic rock station playing on DAB and replaces 3MP.
Classic Rock Radio targets all the hits from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s from legends like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Eagles, INXS and many more.
“Fans of 1116 SEN already get 24/7 sport coverage and we are thrilled to be able to offer them a music alternative for those times when the situation calls for some classic rock hits,” 1116 SEN General Manager, Cathy Thomas, said.
“To ensure listeners get their maximum rock fix, there will be minimal interruptions throughout the day and the focus will be playing quality music that people have loved through the years and still enjoy today.
“From a business point of view, it made sense to give our target audience a comprehensive listening experience across two stations and we now own the territory that encompasses everything Aussie blokes love - sport and rock music.”
