Gold 104.3

Gold 104.3 (call sign: 3KKZ) is a radio station broadcasting in Melbourne, Australia. Gold 104.3 is part of the Classic Hits Network (which itself is a part of the Australian Radio Network) and broadcasts on the 104.3 MHz frequency.History3KZ commenced operations on 8 December 1930. Its original frequency was 1350 kHz, moving to 1180 kHz on 1 September 1935. The frequency changed again on 23 November 1978 to 1179 kHz when all Australian AM radio stations were assigned new frequencies as part of the new 9 kHz spacing plan implemented.3KZ was for many years considered one of the "old guard" of Melbourne radio. In 1989, 3KZ was one of two successful bidders to convert to the FM band. 3KZ bid A$32 million for the right to convert to the FM band, the highest bid made for FM conversion in Australia. The second highest bid ($ 20.1 M) was from radio 3AK (Then owned by GTV 9, which was then part of Bond Media (In receivership), and the 3rd highest bidder ($10 M) was Radio 3TT.3KZ moved to 104.3 MHz at 12:00 am on 1 January 1990. As a result of the change, the official call sign became 3KKZ, in line with normal call sign protocol where '3' is designated the state (Victoria), followed by a three letter call sign for FM stations. However the new station broadcast on-air as KZFM and carried over its successful slogan "Hits And Memories" from 3KZ. Other changes included a reduced intensity presentation style (e.g.: No Time Pips, news no longer 24 hours per day)3KKZ simulcast on both 1179 kHz and 104.3 MHz frequencies for one month before the old AM frequency was closed down to be later reassigned (after 12 months) to 3RPH, who were until that time on the low power limited coverage frequency 1629 kHz. The KZ switch to FM paid immediate short term dividends, as the new KZFM debuted at number one in the first ratings survey of 1990, breaking an almost three-year dominance by rival FOX FM. However KZFM's success was short-lived, with ratings soon taking a dive and the station going into receivership in 1993. Radio network Austereo soon purchased the station to supplement its popular FOX FM, however after lack of direction from its newe parent company, and severe staff reductions, removal of its news room, and other cost cutting measured at KZFM (by then branded Gold 104

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Radio station