Ace Radio
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media, Radio broadcasting, Digital marketing, Publishing |
| Predecessor | Associated Communication Enterprises |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Victoria and southern New South Wales, Australia |
Key people | Geoff Handbury, Helen Handbury, Rowly Paterson, Judy Paterson |
| Products | Commercial radio stations, digital marketing services, newspaper publishing |
Ace Radio Broadcasters is an Australian media enterprise established in 1984, managing a portfolio of 21 commercial radio stations throughout Victoria and southern New South Wales. The company also operates the digital marketing firm Ace Digital and publishes the complimentary newspaper The Weekly Advertiser in the Wimmera district.
History
Ace Radio’s origins trace back to 1984 when Associated Communication Enterprises, proprietors of Melbourne’s Truth newspaper, acquired 3HA in Hamilton, Victoria. The company rapidly expanded by purchasing 3CS in Colac in 1985, and by 1986 had added control over 3SH in Swan Hill and 3WM in Horsham. By 1994, ownership was shared between Geoff and Helen Handbury and Rowly and Judy Paterson, with holdings extending to stations in Wollongong, Shepparton, and Geelong.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ace Radio streamlined its station portfolio by selling off outlets such as 3SR and Sun FM in Shepparton and Bay FM in Geelong, while acquiring 3TR in Traralgon and 3YB in Warrnambool. Beginning in 1996, the company introduced Mixx FM-branded FM stations across Horsham, Swan Hill, and Colac, later expanding with Mixx FM Hamilton and Coast FM Warrnambool in 2002. That same year marked the transition of 3TR to FM as TRFM, accompanied by the launch of 3GV on its previous AM channel.
In September 2005, Ace Radio grew further by purchasing 2AY from Macquarie Regional RadioWorks following regulatory asset sales. By June 2016, Ace Radio integrated its stations into the Australian iHeartRadio platform, unveiling the iHeartRadio Thumbs Up Countdown on six 'Hit Music' FM outlets.
The company’s expansion continued with the August 2017 acquisition of 2QN and Edge FM Deniliquin from Rich Rivers Radio, along with 3NE and Edge FM Wangaratta from North East Broadcasters. In June 2018, Ace Radio discontinued its long-established Radio Training Institute.
From January 2022 onward, Ace Radio began managing three metropolitan stations leased from Nine Entertainment. Starting January 2023, it commenced distributing Southern Cross Austereo’s Hit Network programming—including the Carrie & Tommy Drive show and Jimmy & Nath with Emma—to more than six regional stations.
Radio stations
As of 2022, Ace Radio Broadcasters operates a total of 21 radio stations.
Eight stations constitute the 'Heritage' network, catering to listeners aged over 40 with a mix of local news, music selections, and syndicated talkback shows:
- 2AY 1494 Albury/Wodonga
- 2QN 1521 Deniliquin/Echuca
- 3CS 1134 Colac
- 3HA 981 Hamilton
- 3SH 1332 Swan Hill
- 3WM 1089 Horsham
- 3YB FM 94.5 Warrnambool
- Gold 1242 Traralgon
Another eight belong to the 'Hit Music' network targeting an audience aged between 18 and 39 with hot adult contemporary tracks and syndicated programming:
- Coast FM 95.3 Warrnambool
- Edge FM 102.1 Wangaratta
- Edge FM 102.5 Deniliquin
- Mixx FM 88.9 Hamilton
- Mixx FM 101.3 Horsham
- Mixx FM 106.3 Colac
- Mixx FM 107.7 Swan Hill
- TRFM 99.5 Traralgon
One station serves listeners over 40 with a 'Better Music Variety' format:
- Star FM 92.1 Wangaratta
A single station focuses on 'Easy Music' for audiences aged over 55:
- 3MP 1377 Melbourne
Three additional stations provide 'Classic Hits' programming aimed at the over-55 demographic; these are leased from Nine Entertainment:
- Magic 1278 Melbourne
- 4BH 1116 Brisbane
- 2UE 954 Sydney
Programming
Programming differs across markets, incorporating both locally produced and nationally syndicated content.
AM/Heritage stations
- The Morning Rush hosted by Sean Cullen, Matthew Monk & Niamh McMahon (excluding 2AY)
- Country Today
- Mornings with Tom Elliott (syndicated by Nine Radio)
- Drive with Jacqueline Felgate (syndicated by Nine Radio; available only on 2AY & 3SH)
- Sportsday (provided by Sports Entertainment Network)
- Nights with Denis Walter (Nine Radio syndication; not broadcast on 3YB & GOLD)
- Australia Overnight (Nine Radio syndication; not aired on 3YB & GOLD)
- Reel Adventures (from Sports Entertainment Network)
- Off The Bench (Sports Entertainment Network)
FM stations
- The Morning Crew featuring Gabi and Dan (not on Mixx FM Colac)
- Carrie & Tommy (syndicated by Southern Cross Austereo; excludes both Edge FM stations)
- Jimmy & Nath with Emma (Southern Cross Austereo syndication; excludes both Edge FM stations)