Radio Caroline (New Zealand)
| Company type | Broadcasting service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | January 18, 1949 in Timaru, New Zealand |
| Headquarters | Timaru , New Zealand |
Area served | South Canterbury, New Zealand |
| Products | Radio broadcasting (AM and FM) |
Radio Caroline was a broadcasting service based in Timaru, New Zealand, inaugurated on 18 January 1949 as a community-oriented station under government ownership, originally identified by the call sign 3XC on 1160AM. It also transmitted in Twizel on 1550AM, featuring a combination of Radio Caroline content and programming from National Radio.
Following the adjustment of New Zealand’s AM band spacing from 10 kHz to 9 kHz in 1978, the station changed its frequencies to 1152AM in Timaru and 1485AM in Twizel, simultaneously updating its call sign to 3ZC.
Transition to Classic 99FM
From 1993 onward, Radio New Zealand unified its local adult contemporary stations under the Classic Hits brand. By 1995, Radio Caroline began broadcasting on 98.7FM alongside its AM service and integrated into the Classic Hits network as Classic Hits 99FM, initially preserving local programming from early morning until evening (6 am to 7 pm).
Ownership change and departure from Classic Hits network
In July 1996, the commercial division of Radio New Zealand, which included Classic Hits stations, was sold by the New Zealand Government to The Radio Network, a subsidiary jointly owned by APN News & Media and Clear Channel Communications, operating under the umbrella of the Australian Radio Network.
To achieve cost efficiencies, The Radio Network reduced local content across Classic Hits stations, restricting local shows primarily to breakfast time slots. Smaller markets were grouped into the Community Radio Network, which retained local breakfast programming but aired networked content from Taupo during other hours. As a result, the Timaru station exited the Classic Hits brand and was rebranded as South Canterbury's 99FM, marking its unique departure from the Classic Hits network.
Reintegration into Classic Hits network
With the discontinuation of the Community Radio Network in 2001, all affiliated stations rejoined the Classic Hits network. Consequently, South Canterbury's 99FM adopted the name Classic Hits 98.7. While the breakfast show continued with local hosts, other programming was sourced from Classic Hits studios in Auckland. That same year, the original AM frequency was reassigned to Newstalk ZB.
In 2005, broadcasting expanded with an additional frequency at 94.7FM complementing 98.7FM.
Rebranding as The Hits
On April 28, 2014, all stations under the Classic Hits banner were renamed The Hits. A centralized breakfast show featuring hosts Polly Gillespie and Grant Kareama was introduced across most locations; meanwhile, former breakfast presenters transitioned to a daytime slot from 9 am to 3 pm. Initially hosted locally by Sam Wilson, this daytime program was later taken over by Josh McIntyre from The Hits Waitaki, who also broadcasted to Timaru. Following Polly and Grant’s exit in 2017, South Island stations reinstated local breakfast shows with McIntyre leading mornings before network programming resumed.
Other Radio Caroline
There is a small-scale station called Radio Caroline operating out of Palmerston, Otago on 756AM, serving the Dunedin area.