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Smoothfm
Smoothfm
from Wikipedia

smoothfm is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by Nova Entertainment. From original launch in 2012, The format was focused on providing 'more music and less talk' along with an eclectic easy-listening playlist, usually featuring ballads. From Valentine’s Day in February 2020, the station revised genres when the primary channel became an adult contemporary radio station.

Key Information

History

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Vega

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Vega launched in 2005 to target the baby boomer market of listeners in the 40 to 60 age bracket, with a mix of talk and music from the 1960s to the 2000s. The positioning statement for the network was "On your wavelength" with a blue squiggle and sign wave as the logo.

The network first launched in August 2005 in Sydney and September 2005 in Melbourne along with announcers Angela Catterns, Denise Scott, Shaun Micallef, Beverley O'Connor, Wendy Harmer, Francis Leach, Wilbur Wilde, Tony Squires, Rebecca Wilson and Mike Perso.

To coincide with the station's positioning statement the first song played at the launch was Van Morrison's Wavelength.

Vega's stations had failed to attract a significant audience with the Sydney station reaching a 1.8 percent audience share, and the Melbourne station gained a 1.2 percent share, placing it second last (ahead only of ABC NewsRadio) and last out of surveyed stations in each market, respectively. However, station management state that the slow take-up was to be expected, claiming the target audience will be slower than some audience groups to try a new station.

In June 2006 [1] the Sydney and Melbourne stations stopped sharing programmes. Both stations dropped their "40 years of music" slogan and moved drive-time hosts Rebecca Wilson and Tony Squires to share the Sydney breakfast slot with former host Angela Catterns. The changes were slow to grow market share, with the Sydney audience falling to 1.7% in Sydney (No. 6, 2006, but climbing slowly to 1.8% in Melbourne, which, at the time, was their highest audience share to date in Melbourne.

By the end of 2006, Vega had increased their ratings share in both cities and the Sydney station reached 2.8%, while the Melbourne station reached 3%.

In January 2007, Vega expanded its "Vega Variety" positioner to include "the '70s, and '80s and the best new songs", and also put out advertisements in the form of billboards and on the side of buses, based around that expanded positioner. It was hoped that this would encourage more listeners to sample the station.

In the first radio survey of 2007, Vega in Sydney and Melbourne again both had small increases, with the Sydney station reaching 3% and the Melbourne station reaching 3.3%. The station's best demographic performer on both stations in that survey, is the 25–39 age group.

By the 4th radio survey of 2007, Vega in Sydney and Melbourne had gone over the 4% mark, with the Sydney station rating 4.6% and the Melbourne station rating 4.4%. In the 40–54 age group, Vega in Sydney was the second highest rating FM station in that age group after classic hits station WS-FM, who, traditionally, have been the highest rating FM station in that age group.

In the 5th radio survey of 2008, Vega in Sydney had surpassed the 5% mark for the first time, rating very closely behind main rival FM stations Triple M & WS-FM. Included during 2008 was the Sunday Session with Mark Gable as host.[1] The station also became the highest rating FM station in the 40–54 age group, knocking WS-FM off that position.

On the 6th radio survey of 2009, Vega in Sydney and Melbourne reached up to 6% mark in the 55+ age group.

Classic Rock

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In March 2010, Vega was rebranded under the name Classic Rock after failing to gain a significant audience low ratings. The rebrand occurred on Friday 12 March 2010 with the station competing against rivals Gold 104.3/101.7 WSFM and Triple M.[2]

Classic Rock was a minimalist announcer station which featured local Breakfast programs with Maroon in Sydney and Ian "Dicko" Dickson and Dave O'Neil in Melbourne and music orientated programs Cover to Cover with Barry Bissell and the American Nights with Alice Cooper.

In July 2010, Dickson and O'Neil were fired from the ailing station due to cost-cutting measures and Classic Rock just played continuous classic rock music with regular news, weather and sport updates.[3]

smoothfm

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On 21 May 2012, the network relaunched as smoothfm in Sydney and Melbourne, with Michael Bublé as the face of the network.[4]

In February 2013, smoothfm extended broadcasting nationally on DAB+ to Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

In April 2018, it was announced that Sam Smith would replace Michael Bublé as the face of the network.[5]

In 2019, smoothfm launched two new digital only stations: Smooth Relax and Smooth Chill.

On 16 February 2020, smoothfm was relaunched as an adult contemporary station for their primary channels with a revised playlist shown as a result the network’s motto ‘your easy place to relax‘ becomes ‘your feel good station’, with Robbie Williams as the new face of the network.

In September 2022, smoothfm extended live and local content in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Breakfast will be hosted by broadcasters, Kate Mac in Perth, Nick Michaels in Brisbane and Kelly Golding in Adelaide, providing local connection and content for listeners in these states.[6] Smooth also Rebranded Smooth Chill with Smooth Vintage, Playing the Classic Hits of the 60’s and 70’s while Smooth 80’s Plays 80’s Music and Smooth Relax remains with a Soft Adult Contemporary Format.

Stations

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Callsign Frequency Branding Location
2PTV 95.3 MHz FM smoothfm 95.3 Sydney, New South Wales
3PTV 91.5 MHz FM smoothfm 91.5 Melbourne, Victoria
N/A DAB+ smoothfm Brisbane Brisbane, Queensland
N/A DAB+ smoothfm Adelaide Adelaide, South Australia
N/A DAB+ smoothfm Perth Perth, Western Australia
N/A DAB+ Smooth Relax Sydney and Melbourne
N/A DAB+ Smooth Vintage Sydney and Melbourne
N/A DAB+ Smooth 80s Adelaide

Announcers

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Weekday Breakfast

  • Bogart Torelli (smoothfm 95.3)
  • Mike Perso (smoothfm 91.5)
  • Nick Michaels (smooth Brisbane)
  • Kelly Golding (smooth Adelaide)
  • Kate Mac (smooth Perth)

Weekdays

  • Ty Frost (Mornings)
  • Simon Diaz (Afternoons)
  • Byron Webb (Drive)
  • Cameron Daddo (Nights)

Weekends

TV Channel

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Foxtel Smooth (formerly Smooth) was an 18 hour (originally 24 hours) Australian pay television music channel available via Foxtel satellite and cable services. It launched on 3 December 2013, dedicated to easy listening adult contemporary music.[7][8] The channel ceased broadcasting on 1 July 2020.

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
smoothfm is an Australian commercial radio network owned and operated by , known for its "more music, less talk" format featuring classics from the 1950s to the present day, including artists such as , , and . Launched on 21 May 2012 in (95.3 FM) and (91.5 FM) as a of the former stations, smoothfm quickly established itself as a top-rated station in those markets, initially capturing a 4.1% audience share and over 600,000 weekly listeners combined. By 2019, it had grown to reach more than 1.5 million listeners across its core markets, with a focus on relaxed, feel-good programming that emphasizes non-stop music and minimal interruptions. In recent years, the network has expanded nationally, introducing DAB+ broadcasts and live local content, including breakfast shows, in , , and Perth in September 2022, along with dedicated streaming channels for moods and eras such as Smooth 80s and Smooth Relax. As of 2025, smoothfm serves over 2.6 million metro listeners weekly, available via FM, , the Smooth Player app, and online streaming, positioning it as Australia's leading "feel good" station for workday listening.

History

Predecessors

Vega was launched by DMG in 2005 as an adult contemporary network targeting listeners aged 40 and over, with Sydney's station debuting on 95.3 FM on 1 and Melbourne's on 91.5 FM on 5 September. The format combined music from the to the 2000s with talk programs, featuring announcers drawn from the ABC such as Peter Collins in mornings and in afternoons, aimed at seeking a sophisticated alternative to mainstream FM stations. DMG had invested over $158 million in acquiring the licenses and developing the concept since , positioning Vega as a premium service for the over-40s demographic that it believed was underserved in the market. Early ratings showed promise, with achieving a peak audience share of 4.6% in 2007, but the stations soon faced challenges from established competitors like Nova, which captured younger segments of the adult audience. By , listenership had declined amid programming inconsistencies and market saturation, contributing to ongoing financial losses for DMG Radio as struggled to retain its target demographic. In response, the network shifted toward a more music-oriented format in 2006, reducing talk content to better align with listener preferences for uninterrupted songs, though this adjustment failed to reverse the downward trend. Ownership of the Vega stations remained with DMG Radio Australia following its founding in 1996, with no major transitions until acquired a stake in 2009 amid efforts to revitalize the underperforming assets. Internal restructures at DMG, including changes like the retirement of founder Paul Thompson in , underscored the operational pressures leading toward a format pivot. By early 2010, Vega's ratings had hit a low of 3.5% share in key surveys, prompting a full rebrand. On 12 March 2010, DMG rebranded both stations as Classic Rock 95.3 in and Classic Rock 91.5 in , abandoning the hybrid model for a dedicated format focusing on hits from the to . The playlist emphasized iconic tracks such as Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" and The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction," with programming anchored by high-profile voices like in nights to attract rock enthusiasts. However, the change yielded limited success, with audience shares remaining below 5% in surveys 1 through 5 of 2010, as the stations continued to lag behind rivals in the competitive metropolitan markets. This rebrand represented the final attempt to salvage the frequencies before their evolution into smoothfm in 2012.

Launch and Rebranding

On May 21, 2012, DMG Radio Australia rebranded its struggling stations in and as smoothfm, shifting from a rock-oriented format to an adult contemporary easy-listening style focused on "more music and less talk." The relaunch occurred at 7:00 a.m., with Canadian singer serving as the first on-air voice from his studio, introducing the new format during the breakfast show hosted by Ed Phillips in ; the program was networked to 's smoothfm 91.5. This pivot targeted listeners aged 25-54 seeking relaxed, melodic hits from the 1970s through the 2000s, including artists such as and , to fill a perceived gap in the market for feel-good, low-talk radio. Group Program Director Paul Jackson played a central role in the strategic decision, drawing on his experience from UK stations like Capital FM to curate a playlist emphasizing timeless pop and soul tracks with minimal interruptions. The initial schedule featured extended music blocks, with talk content limited to brief announcements and networked segments like Phillips' breakfast show, which aired weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. across both cities. Ownership at the time rested with DMG Radio Australia, jointly held by U.K.-based Daily Mail and General Trust and Lachlan Murdoch's Illyria until Murdoch acquired full control in September 2012; the company later rebranded as Nova Entertainment in 2014. Early reception was positive, with smoothfm achieving a 4.1% share in its debut survey in both (smoothfm 95.3) and , a modest improvement over the predecessor Classic Rock's 3.4% and 3.7% shares, respectively. This positioned the station as a direct competitor to talk-heavy and easy-listening Magic 1278 (now WS FM) in , appealing to female listeners over 25 with its serene vibe. The launch was supported by a multi-platform marketing campaign emphasizing relaxation and escapism under the "smooth" branding, featuring Bublé's hit "Haven't Met You Yet" in TV commercials that aired on free-to-air and digital channels starting mid-May. Print, outdoor, and magazine ads extended the theme, while partnerships with advertisers like Ruark Audio highlighted premium listening experiences; the effort contributed to initial cumulative audiences of 275,000 in Sydney and 337,000 in Melbourne.

Expansion and Format Evolution

Following its initial launch in Sydney and Melbourne, smoothfm expanded its availability in February 2013 by launching on DAB+ digital radio in , , and Perth as simulcasts of the Sydney network, thereby extending its reach to approximately 70% of the Australian population. This digital expansion laid the groundwork for further growth, culminating in a major push in September when Nova Entertainment introduced local programming in the three additional markets, including dedicated breakfast shows hosted by Nick Michaels in , Kelly Golding in , and Kate Mac in Perth. The shift to localized content drove immediate ratings improvements, such as a 10% share for smoothfm Perth in early post-launch surveys. In terms of format evolution, smoothfm underwent a significant relaunch on February 16, 2020, refining its adult contemporary approach to focus exclusively on music from the through the , eliminating non-music talk content outside of news bulletins to emphasize a relaxed, playlist-driven listening experience. This adjustment, supported by a campaign featuring , aimed to enhance relevance and appeal to core listeners seeking uninterrupted soft hits. Recent developments in 2024 and 2025 highlighted both challenges and successes under stable ownership by Nova Entertainment, which invested in streaming enhancements and app features like personalized playlists to bolster digital accessibility. Key personnel changes included the December 2024 departure of longtime Sydney breakfast host Ron Wilson to rival station 2SM, alongside newsreader Mary-Ann Harris, who also joined 2SM's news team, prompting smoothfm to adapt its on-air lineup. Despite these transitions, the network achieved milestones such as topping the FM ratings in Sydney with a 12.3% share in Survey 8 of 2024, and growing its digital audience to 44,000 cumulative listeners in Adelaide by mid-2024, underscoring sustained expansion in both traditional and online platforms.

Stations and Coverage

Core FM Stations

The core FM stations of the smoothfm network operate as analog broadcasts in Australia's two largest markets, and , delivering the network's format through high-power transmissions optimized for metropolitan coverage. In , smoothfm broadcasts on 95.3 MHz under the callsign 2PTV, with an (ERP) of 150 kW from a transmitter site serving the Greater Sydney area. The station launched on this frequency in May 2012, succeeding the Vega 95.3 format without a frequency shift, as part of a to emphasize relaxed . It utilizes (RDS) technology, displaying "smoothfm" as the program service name and providing track information via the format code F953 on compatible receivers. In , the station airs on 91.5 MHz with the callsign 3PTV and an of 56 kW from the Mount Dandenong transmitter, providing reliable signal strength across metropolitan Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. Like its Sydney counterpart, it employs RDS for station identification as "smoothfm" and song details. Local programming includes dedicated segments for traffic updates and weather reports tailored to the Melbourne region, enhancing commuter relevance. These FM outlets form the foundation of smoothfm's reach, with digital expansions via DAB+ extending the format to , , and Perth.

Digital and Regional Expansion

smoothfm expanded its reach beyond traditional through (DAB+) services in , , and Perth, launching these stations in September 2022 with local programming inserts such as dedicated breakfast shows tailored to each market. The Brisbane service operates on DAB+ block 9A, Adelaide on 9B, and Perth on 9B, each broadcasting at 48 kbps in stereo using HE-AAC v2 encoding to deliver high-quality audio. These DAB+ offerings complement the network's core FM stations in and by providing regional access without analog frequencies, enabling smoothfm to serve additional audiences in other major metropolitan markets. Online streaming and mobile app access further enhance smoothfm's digital footprint, available through the official Smooth Player app on and Android devices as well as the smooth.com.au website. In , the platform introduced enhanced features including on-demand podcasts like "The You Project" and geofenced local content delivery, allowing users to automatically receive city-specific news, traffic, and weather updates based on their location. This integration supports seamless listening across devices, including in-car via Apple CarPlay and , and smart speakers like and Alexa. Regionally, the DAB+ signal transmits from Mount Coot-tha, covering approximately 2.5 million potential listeners in the greater Brisbane area, while and Perth setups provide comparable metropolitan reach through local transmitter sites. Listener growth has been notable, driven by increasing DAB+ receiver adoption in vehicles and homes. DAB+ technology offers technical advantages over FM, including multiplexed data services that display titles, biographies, and visual slides on compatible receivers, enhancing user without interrupting audio playback. Despite these expansions, smoothfm faces challenges from limited DAB+ penetration in Australia, where only about 66% of the has access as of 2024, though the network achieved a cumulative of over 500,000 digital listeners that year across streaming and DAB+ platforms. This digital cume underscores smoothfm's growing role in a fragmented audio landscape, prioritizing quality and local relevance to build loyalty in non-FM markets.

Programming

Music Format and Schedule

smoothfm's core music format is adult contemporary, featuring approximately 80-90% of its playlist drawn from tracks originating in the 1970s through the 2010s, such as songs by and . The playlist prioritizes top adult contemporary hits, with weekly updates ensuring a dynamic selection of popular recurrents and new releases. The daily programming is divided into distinct dayparts to align with listener routines. Breakfast airs from 5:30am to 9am, blending music with light talk elements; mornings from 9am to 1pm offer continuous music; afternoons from 1pm to 5pm incorporate listener interaction; from 5pm to 9pm focuses on upbeat tracks; and evenings from 9pm to 12am feature a sophisticated vibe, followed by a chill overnight until 5:30am. Special segments enhance the structure, including "Smooth Favourites," which delivers hourly selections of recurrent hits, and news bulletins every 30 minutes sourced from Nova News. Playlist guidelines emphasize a mix of current hits and timeless classics, while strictly avoiding talk radio-style elements to preserve the station's relaxed, music-centric identity.

On-Air Talent

smoothfm's on-air talent features a mix of national announcers and local breakfast hosts who contribute to the network's relaxed, music-focused identity. National voices include Ty Frost, who hosts the Mornings program across the network from 9am to 1pm, delivering a smooth blend of and light conversation to start the day. Simon Diaz anchors Afternoons from 1pm to 5pm, a role he has held since 2019 and which has consistently rated number one in through 2025, emphasizing engaging listener interaction alongside timeless tracks. Byron Webb handles the Drive slot from 5pm to 9pm weekdays, bringing energy to the commute with his charismatic style. rounds out the evenings on Nights from 9pm to 12am, offering a sophisticated vibe with his extensive background. Local breakfast shows provide region-specific flavor while adhering to the network's core format. In , Bogart Torelli has hosted the More Music Breakfast since 2012, drawing on her prior experience at Vega FM to foster a warm, relatable atmosphere. Melbourne's Mike Perso, a veteran with over 15 years on the frequency since 2010 and hosting breakfast since the 2012 launch, pairs his 45 years in radio with newsreader for a show that celebrates local listeners. Brisbane's Nick Michaels joined in 2022, infusing the program with his Queensland roots and upbeat delivery. Adelaide's Kelly Golding, also starting in 2022, brings her commercial radio expertise from stations like Fox FM to connect with South Australian audiences. Perth's Kate Mac, onboard since 2022, leverages her on-air polish to deliver mornings tailored to Western Australia's lifestyle. Notable recent changes include Ron Wilson's departure from Sydney's breakfast news role in late 2024 after a decade with the network, marking the end of his influential tenure alongside Torelli. Long-tenured talents like Perso exemplify the stability that has helped smoothfm maintain strong ratings as of 2025. Breakfast hosts across markets emphasize engaging chit-chat, comprising just 10-15% of airtime to prioritize , allowing personalities to build personal connections through brief, authentic segments on daily life and listener stories. Torelli's transition from highlights how prior careers in adult contemporary radio inform this approachable style, while Perso's extensive and hosting background adds depth without overwhelming the . Weekends feature on breakfast from 6am to 10am since 2020, where the former news anchor hosts with a poised, conversational touch that appeals to leisure listeners. Special programming occasionally includes celebrity guest spots, such as Michael Bublé's appearances, which infuse shows with star power and align with smoothfm's easy-listening ethos.

Digital Radio Services

smoothfm provides supplementary digital-only radio channels that extend the network's easy listening format through specialized playlists, available exclusively via digital platforms to enhance listener choice beyond the core FM broadcasts. Smooth Relax offers a continuous stream of calming adult contemporary music, featuring artists such as , , and , along with acoustic interpretations of popular tracks, creating an oasis for relaxation. This channel emphasizes a chilled without interruptions, catering to audiences seeking mellow vibes throughout the day. Smooth Vintage focuses on classic hits from the 1960s to 1980s, including timeless tracks by artists like , , , and , with curated segments such as dedicated hours for vintage favorites to evoke nostalgia. It delivers non-stop anthems designed to uplift listeners with era-spanning feel-good content. Smooth 80s is a decade-specific channel highlighting iconic pop and rock from the 1980s, spotlighting artists like , , and , to transport audiences back to that vibrant musical period. The programming features seamless blocks of massive hits, maintaining the smoothfm ethos of positive, uninterrupted music. These channels are distributed across DAB+ in major Australian markets including , , , , and Perth, utilizing commercial multiplexes for high-definition audio. They are also accessible via the Smooth Player app, which provides free unlimited streaming of all smoothfm stations alongside integrated , , and updates; the official smooth.com.au; and third-party platforms like . In 2023, the smoothfm network, incorporating Smooth Relax, Smooth Vintage, and Smooth 80s, achieved a cumulative audience exceeding 2.75 million listeners, underscoring the growing impact of these digital extensions in reaching broader audiences. These digital services continue to play a key role in the network's national expansion.

Television Channel

Smooth TV, also known as Smooth, was a short-lived Australian channel launched as an extension of the smoothfm radio network. It debuted on 3 December 2013 as a 24-hour service available on satellite and cable platforms, focusing on to complement the radio station's format. The channel's programming featured a continuous rotation of music videos from adult contemporary artists such as , , and , alongside long-form content and brand-sponsored segments tailored to the smoothfm aesthetic of relaxed, feel-good entertainment. It was hosted by notable figures including and , who presented themed shows emphasizing and familiar hits for a mature audience. Produced as a between DMG Radio (later rebranded as ) and , the channel targeted the 25-54 demographic shared with the radio network, operating on a revenue-sharing model to promote cross-platform synergy. From October 2017, Smooth TV transitioned to an 18-hour schedule, sharing airtime with Arts during off-peak hours to optimize resources amid evolving viewer habits. Despite initial promise, the channel struggled with low overall viewership for music programming on pay TV, a trend noted industry-wide. It ceased operations on 30 June 2020, following 's partnership with ViacomCBS to outsource music content production, with Smooth replaced by expanded Arts programming. The venture's legacy lay in briefly bridging radio and for the smoothfm brand, enabling limited that highlighted events and talent across both mediums, though it ultimately underscored the challenges of sustaining niche music channels in a streaming-dominated landscape.

References

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