Magic 828 & 98.6FM
Encyclopedia
Magic 828 & 98.6FM was a radio station in Manawatu, New Zealand. The station was first started in 1986 as Bright and Easy 828 by the operators of 2XS FM
on 828AM the frequency previously used by 2XS before the station switched to FM. Bright and Easy 828 used the 2XS call sign
while the call sign for 2XS FM was actually 2XXS. The station played a mixture of Classic Hits
and Easy Listening
music.
In 1988 the station actually became 828 2XS and later Classic Hits 2XS followed by Classic Hits 828. In 1993 the station began broadcasting on 98.6FM and was renamed to Classic Hits 828 & 98.6FM. The renaming to Classic Hits was in no way connected to radio stations around New Zealand rebranding to Classic Hits FM
as it was radio stations operated by Radio New Zealand
that were affected by this change. However with the station named Classic Hits 828 this prevented local Radio New Zealand station 98FM (formally 2ZA) from rebranding as Classic Hits and instead became Greatest Hits 98FM using the Classic Hits logo.
In 1994 the station was renamed to Magic 828 & 98.6FM and as a result Greatest Hits 98FM was able to take on the Classic Hits name.
Magic 828 & 98.6FM and 2XS were later sold to RadioWorks with both stations becoming part of RadioWorks group of local stations known as LocalWorks
. In 2004 Magic 828 and 98.6FM was rebranded as The Breeze
. In 2005 the 828AM frequency was replaced by Radio Pacific
after the Radio Pacific frequency in the Manawatu was used to launch Radio Live
, Radio Pacific became BSport
in 2007. After Magic was rebranded as The Breeze programming remained live and local but in 2007 all programming outside breakfast was replaced with network programming from Auckland. The breakfast show remains live and local (Breakfast with Chris 'Burnzee' Burn) and was not affected by the recent introduction of a network breakfast on The Breeze.
2XS FM
2XS FM was a radio station in Palmerston North, New Zealand. 2XS started on 29 May 1981 at 8:28 in the morning, broadcasting on 828AM, the name was taken from the stations call sign 2XS...
on 828AM the frequency previously used by 2XS before the station switched to FM. Bright and Easy 828 used the 2XS call sign
Call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
while the call sign for 2XS FM was actually 2XXS. The station played a mixture of Classic Hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
and Easy Listening
Easy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
music.
In 1988 the station actually became 828 2XS and later Classic Hits 2XS followed by Classic Hits 828. In 1993 the station began broadcasting on 98.6FM and was renamed to Classic Hits 828 & 98.6FM. The renaming to Classic Hits was in no way connected to radio stations around New Zealand rebranding to Classic Hits FM
Classic Hits FM
Classic Hits is an Adult Contemporary music radio network broadcasting in 25 markets throughout New Zealand, targeting 25 - 55 year olds. Its a family-focused radio network with some of New Zealand's most experienced broadcasters on air and behind the scenes. It currently has around 387,000...
as it was radio stations operated by Radio New Zealand
Radio New Zealand
Radio New Zealand is a New Zealand public service radio broadcaster and Crown entity formed by the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. It operates news, current affairs and arts network Radio New Zealand National and classical music and jazz network Radio New Zealand Concert with full government funding...
that were affected by this change. However with the station named Classic Hits 828 this prevented local Radio New Zealand station 98FM (formally 2ZA) from rebranding as Classic Hits and instead became Greatest Hits 98FM using the Classic Hits logo.
In 1994 the station was renamed to Magic 828 & 98.6FM and as a result Greatest Hits 98FM was able to take on the Classic Hits name.
Magic 828 & 98.6FM and 2XS were later sold to RadioWorks with both stations becoming part of RadioWorks group of local stations known as LocalWorks
LocalWorks
LocalWorks was the name used to catergorise all of the local heritage radio stations operated by RadioWorks in New Zealand. The music format on most of the LocalWorks stations was an Adult Contemporary format, Hot AC format or Easy Listening format....
. In 2004 Magic 828 and 98.6FM was rebranded as The Breeze
The Breeze (New Zealand)
The Breeze is a group of New Zealand easy-listening radio stations owned by RadioWorks, a MediaWorks New Zealand company. The Breeze plays easy-listening music from the 1970s to the present day, aimed at a 35–54 year old female audience...
. In 2005 the 828AM frequency was replaced by Radio Pacific
Radio Pacific
Radio Pacific was a New Zealand talkback radio station. The station also broadcast an extensive selection of horse racing commentary.-History:The station was originally started in Auckland in 1978 on 1593am...
after the Radio Pacific frequency in the Manawatu was used to launch Radio Live
Radio Live
Radio Live and Radio Live Sport are nationwide Auckland-based New Zealand talkback, news and sports radio networks owned and operated by MediaWorks New Zealand...
, Radio Pacific became BSport
BSport
LiveSPORT is a nationwide New Zealand sports talk and horse racing commentary radio network owned by MediaWorks New Zealand. Nathan Rarere, Ian Smith and Dean Lonergan present the network's breakfast programme, James McConie and Richard Loe present morning talk programmes and New Zealand Racing...
in 2007. After Magic was rebranded as The Breeze programming remained live and local but in 2007 all programming outside breakfast was replaced with network programming from Auckland. The breakfast show remains live and local (Breakfast with Chris 'Burnzee' Burn) and was not affected by the recent introduction of a network breakfast on The Breeze.