Red FM (Australia)
| Company type | Commercial radio network |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Defunct | 16 March 2020 |
| Fate | Rebranded as Hit Western Australia |
| Headquarters | Perth (Ascot) , Australia |
Area served | Regional Western Australia, including Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha, Geraldton, and mining sites north of Perth |
| Products | Contemporary hit radio broadcasts |
| Owner | Redwave Media Group (until October 2019), then Southern Cross Austereo |
| Parent | Seven West Media (until October 2019) |
Red FM functioned as a commercial radio network catering to regional areas of Western Australia. Its initial broadcasts targeted mining sites, but it subsequently expanded coverage to encompass all towns located north of Perth. Following the rebranding of WAFM, the network incorporated major locations such as Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha, and Geraldton. Owned by the Redwave Media Group under Seven West Media, Red FM focused on a contemporary hit radio format aimed at listeners aged 18 to 39. The station transmitted under Australian call signs including 6RED, 6HED, 6FMS, and 6GGG.
History
Established in 1998 initially as a mining-focused station delivering news and music to isolated mining communities, Red FM eventually extended its reach to other remote towns formerly served by WAFM. It boasted the largest commercial radio broadcast area by geography in the Southern Hemisphere, targeting an audience ranging from 4 to 50 years old, with an estimated statewide potential listenership of 185,000. The station operated alongside its sister network, the Spirit Radio Network.
In October 2019, ownership of Red FM transferred to Southern Cross Austereo through the acquisition of Redwave Media. Subsequently, on 16 March 2020, Red FM’s programming was replaced by Hit Western Australia, while maintaining localized advertising for regions including Broome, Geraldton, Karratha, Port Hedland, and other remote locations.
Broadcast operations originally commenced from a residential property in Ascot, Perth before moving to dedicated commercial studio facilities.