90.1 Chilli FM

{{Infobox radio station

| name = Chilli 90.1fm

| logo =

| city = Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

| area = Launceston RA1 [http://www.acma.gov.au/licplan/defmaps/documents/maps/la_526.pdf]

| branding =

| frequency = 90.1 MHz FM

| translator = 101.1 FM Launceston CBD (328 watts)

| repeater =

| airdate = {{start date|1938}} (as 7EX)

| format = Contemporary hit radio

| language = English

| power =

| erp = 5,000 watts

| haat =

| licensing_authority = ACMA

| acma_bsl = 4220

| coordinates = {{Coord|41.439743|S|147.137945|E}}

| callsign_meaning = Variation of final AM call sign 7EX; station was set up by The Examiner

| former_callsigns = 7EX (1938–2011)

| former_frequencies = 1008 kHz AM (1978–2011)
1010 kHz AM (1938–1978)

| affiliations =

| owner = ARN

| licensee = Bass Radio Pty Ltd

| sister_stations = 89.3 LAFM

| webcast =

| website = [http://www.chillifm.com.au/ www.chillifm.com.au]}}

Chilli 90.1fm (call sign 7EXX) is an Australian radio station in Tasmania. Owned and operated by ARN, it broadcasts a contemporary hit radio format to Launceston and surrounding areas. First broadcast in 1938 as 7EX,{{cite news|url=http://www.examiner.com.au/about-us/|title = About Us|newspaper = The Examiner|access-date = 7 July 2015}} the station currently broadcasts from studios in York Street, alongside sister station 89.3 LAFM. Chilli90.1fm also has a Scottsdale version called Chilli99.7FM which has repeat frequencies of 99.7 MHz in Scottsdale and the North-East of Tasmania and 94.5 MHz in Weldborough and St Helens.

History

The station was set up in 1938 by The Examiner newspaper and shared a fierce rivalry with rival 7LA, splitting the city's audience through much of the 1980s. Eventually, the station changed hands numerous times, before forming the Tote Sport Radio horse racing radio network.

In 2002, television station ABNT-3 vacated VHF channel 3, opening up space for further FM radio services in Launceston. In 2005, it was announced that 7EX, along with 7LA and ABC Northern Tasmania was to move to the FM band – 7LA on 89.3, 7EX on 90.1 and ABC Northern Tasmania on 91.7.{{cite news|title=Launceston stations are going FM|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/launceston-stations-are-going-fm|access-date=7 July 2015|work=Radioinfo.com.au|date=31 March 2005}} In 2010, Grant Broadcasters purchased the 7EX licence from Tote Sport Radio{{cite news|title=Grant Broadcasters buys TasRadio's old frequency in Launceston|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/grant-broadcasters-buys-tasradios-old-frequency-launceston|access-date=7 July 2015|work=Radioinfo.com.au|date=1 September 2010}} – who in turn purchased a narrowcast licence on 7EX's old AM frequency – before relaunching in 2011 as contemporary hit radio-formatted Chilli 90.1fm.{{cite news|title=Hot new station launches in Launceston|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/hot-new-station-launches-launceston|access-date=7 July 2015|work=Radioinfo.com.au|date=3 February 2011}}

Today, the station networks the majority of its programming to Scottsdale-based Chilli 99.7.

In November 2021, Chilli FM, along with other stations owned by Grant Broadcasters, was acquired by the Australian Radio Network. This deal allowed Grant's stations, including Chilli FM, to access ARN's iHeartRadio platform in regional areas. The deal was finalised on 4 January 2022.[https://www.adnews.com.au/news/htande-completes-acquisition-of-grant-broadcasters ARN and Grant Broadcasters unite to create Australia's leading radio and digital audio business] AdNews Australia 4 January 2022 Chilli FM integrated with ARN's KIIS Network but retained its current name.

On Air

Weekdays:

Breakfast 6am–9am Adam & Nic For Breakfast
Mornings 10am–1pm Ben
Workdays 1pm–5pm Jackie
Drive 5pm–7pm Will & Woody
Kyle & Jackie O Hour of Power 7pm–8pm

References

External links

[http://www.chillifm.com.au/ Official website]

Category:Radio stations in Tasmania

Category:Radio stations established in 1930

Category:Adult contemporary radio stations in Australia

Category:Australian Radio Network

category:1930 establishments in Australia