With the above comments in mind, I thought I’d look at how Star 104.5 compares to the ARN Regional’s Hot AC stream (in this case, Wave FM). I’ll also throw in Triple M Regional (via 107.7 Central Coast) for good measure.
Star 104.5 - Central Coast, NSW
“More Music Variety”
Monday 15th January 2024 - 9-11am AEDT
9am
“Bad Romance” Lady Gaga
“Too Much” The Kid Laroi / Jung Kook / Central Cee
“Something Like This” Coldplay / The Chainsmokers
“Genie In A Bottle” Christina Aguilera
“Used To Be Young” Miley Cyrus
“It Wasn’t Me” Shaggy
“Dance The Night” Dua Lipa
“American Town” Ed Sheeran
“Summer Rain” Belinda Carlisle
“Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)” Taylor Swift
“I’m Good (Blue)” David Guetta / Bebe Rexha
“Heat Waves” Glass Animals
10am
“Lil Boo Thang” Paul Russell
“Unholy” Sam Smith / Kim Petras
“All The Small Things” Blink 182
“Big Energy” Latto
“Locked Out Of Heaven” Bruno Mars
“That Don’t Impress Me Much” Shania Twain
“Got Me Started” Troye Sivan
“Easy On Me” Adele
“It’s Gonna Be Me” *NSYNC
“Popular” The Weeknd / Playboi Carti / Madonna
“Ocean Drive” Duke Dumont
“Back For Good” Take That
“Ghost” Ricki-Lee
“Give Me Everything” Pitbull / Ne-Yo / Afrojack / Nayer
Not a single 80s track on that lot, unless you count “Summer Rain” as one, which was first released on her album Runaway Horses in October 1989, but was not released as a single until 1990.
Wave FM 96.5 - Wollongong, NSW
“The Illawarra’s Best Music”
Monday 15th January 2024 - 9-11am AEDT
9am
“Houdini” Dua Lipa
“What’s Up?” 4 Non Blondes
“Promises” Calvin Harris / Sam Smith
“I Choose Good” Guy Sebastian
“Danger Zone” Kenny Loggins
“Karma” Taylor Swift
“My Immortal” Evanescence
“Dreaming” Pink / Marshmello / Sting
“Ride Wit Me (No Rap)” Nelly
“The Greatest Show” Panic! At The Disco
“Thinkin’ Bout Me” Morgan Wallen
“Clarity” Zedd / Foxes
“Popular” The Weeknd / Playboi Carti / Madonna
“King Of Wishful Thinking” Go West
“Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” Green Day
“2002” Anne-Marie
10am
“Good Luck” Basement Jaxx
“Single Soon” Selena Gomez
“Free Fallin’” Tom Petty
“Eyes Closed” Ed Sheeran
“I Wanna Know” NOTD / Bea Miller
“Say My Name” Destiny’s Child
“Rock It” Vance Joy
“Feel So Close” Calvin Harris
“Used To Be Young” Miley Cyrus
“Everlasting Love” U2
“Adore You” Harry Styles
“Water (Remix)” Tyla / Marshmello
“Players” Coi Leray
“Photograph” Nickelback
A few years ago, I would’ve preferred Star over Wave. But now, I think Wave (& ARN Regional’s Hot AC stream) is slightly more preferable than Star these days. If ARN takes over SCA, I think 101.3 on the Central Coast would take the same log, which would allow Star to skew even younger than it currently is.
Still on the Central Coast…
107.7 Triple M - Central Coast, NSW
“Good Times & Greatest Hits”
Monday 15th January 2024 - 9-11am AEDT
9am
“New Sensation” INXS
“All She Wants To Do Is Dance” Don Henley
“Freedom '90” George Michael
“Hurts So Good” John Cougar Mellencamp
“I Can See Clearly Now” Jimmy Cliff
“Midnight Blue” Lou Gramm
“Sunglasses At Night” Corey Hart
“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” Jet
“You Can Leave Your Hat On” Joe Cocker
“Unbelievable” EMF
“Bring Me Some Water” Melissa Etheridge
“Barbados” Models
10am
“American Life In The Summertime” Francis Dunnery
“Blame It On The Boogie” The Jacksons
“Land Of Confusion” Genesis
“Budapest” George Ezra
“Can’t Help Myself” The Flowers/Icehouse
“The Sign” Ace Of Base
“Tucker’s Daughter” Ian Moss
“Wake Me Up” Avicii / Aloe Blacc
“Even Better Than The Real Thing” U2
“Lean On Me” Club Nouveau
I have to say, I personally find the above Triple M playlist to be quite listenable, and would be my top pick of all the local Central Coast commercial stations, as well as in most other regional markets, at least music-wise. 