After 22 years the KIX Country brand will be no more, but it’s not the end of the road, with the creation of a national country radio network under the iHeartCountry Australia brand.
From this morning, regional listeners heard iHeartCountry Radio Content Director Justin Thomson, reassuring listeners “Don’t worry we still play all your favourite artists, your favourite songs, your favourite features, and some great new shows. And I’m still here just at a different time, midday every day. New name, same great country.”
Speaking with Countrytown, Thomson said “We have joined our two country radio networks to bring Australia’s country music audience under one unified national brand, and to leverage the strength of the global iHeartCountry brand while keeping the heritage, warmth, and community feel that KIX is known for. This change will now allow us to deliver a consistent sound and message across metro and regional markets.”
On a personal level Thomson said he was excited about the change: “It's a step forward and a level up. The future is bright for country music and I'm looking forward to delivering a new listening experience to country fans around Australia.”
Launched on June 30, 2003 KIX Country was the beloved home of Australian and international country music. At its core it was a country radio station built for the fans, by fans, which is what truly set it apart from the rest.
From its friendly and familiar voices on air in the mornings and afternoons, to its boots on the ground activations at major country music festivals and events around the nation, KIX formed a somewhat cult following of loyal country music fans.
It’s been the go-to destination for country music lovers craving the perfect mix of fresh hits, timeless classics and homegrown Aussie talent. More than just a radio station, it’s been a community championing Australian artists and keeping country music alive and loud across the airwaves.
iHeart Country Australia was launched via DAB+ across Australia’s metropolitan cities in late 2024, the first Australian commercial country station to have live announcers broadcasting to all corners of metro Australia. iHeartCountry Australia will now replace every KIX frequency in Australia to form one unmatched national footprint to drive the growth of country music in Australia.
Upon launching iHeart Country in 2024, Brett “Nozz” Nossiter, ARN’s Head of Content – Digital Radio echoed the statement: “With the new iHeartCountry network, ARN is leading the charge by offering a platform that celebrates the diversity and passion of country music fans while championing international superstars, rising local talent, and the broader Australian music industry. This is a game-changer for country music in Australia.”
For longtime listeners, the end of KIX Country will be bittersweet, marking the end of an era, but it’s also the start of something bigger. iHeartCountry Australia aims to carry forward the spirit of KIX, connecting fans with the best Australian and international country music while championing the next generation of talent.
The message from ARN is clear: for KIX listeners, iHeartCountry Australia is a new home for country.
Countrytown brings you Australia’s best country music news, interviews, charts and more every week! This post was authored by Countrytown and originally published on the Countrytown website. It has been re-published with permission.
