Hit Network

The Hit Network is a network of contemporary hit radio stations run by Southern Cross Austereo in Australia.

History

The Hit Network started in 1980 as the Austereo Network, with Austereo securing the first commercial FM licence in Adelaide in 1980. Double SA FM would be joined by Fox FM in Melbourne in 1986, B105 FM Brisbane in 1988 and 2Day FM in Sydney in 1989. The network also grew through joint-ventures in Canberra with 104.7 and NXFM Newcastle (now fully owned). Austereo expanded into Perth in 1998 when it purchased PMFM now known as HIT 92.9, although it wasn't until 2005 that the station exclusively joined the Today Network, after also being affiliated with sister station Triple M for many years and taking programming from both networks.

The network was previously known as Today's Austereo Network and the Today Network.

After Austereo was purchased by Southern Cross Media, it began incorporating its regional CHR network into the Today Network. Only some of its Sea FM stations, including those in Hobart and the Gold Coast, began adopting similar branding to the metropolitan stations.