Thirty years ago, Melbourne’s number 1 radio station crashed to 4th place, when Hitz FM blitzed the ratings. Hitz vs Fox was a battle that we never even imagined happening! And now, for the first time ever – we hear from the two people who were hosting the Fox FM breakfast show at that time.
Wanna just jump to the video? Scroll to the bottom.
Peter “Grubby” Stubbs and Dianne “Dee Dee” Dunlevy started at Fox in the late 80s as part of Kevin Hillier and the Morning Crew. Five years later, they were hosting the Morning Crew and Fox FM was Melbourne’s highest-rating station. They rated higher than even the talkback stations.
But then some meddling kids turned up.
Hitz vs Fox: The ratings shock
In the first radio survey of 1994, the Other FM rating (Hitz FM plus other community stations) jumped from less than 2%, to over 15%. This movement of listeners under 25 caused Fox FM to tumble from 1st to 4th place. This was well and truly the moment that Hitz FM blitzed the ratings.
Grubby and Dee Dee were absolutely charming to interview. They’ve got stories galore and had some fascinating things to say about Hitz FM and that memorable time in the 90s.
Here’s just a few stories you’ll hear:
- The Fox FM Skyshow which was infiltrated by Hitz FM
- The crazy day they hosted Gillian Anderson (X Files) at Southland
- Hosting the No. 1 breakfast show but your daughter listens to Hitz
- How huge Fox FM was in this period, including the famous ‘Fox Shop’
- The music changes in Melbourne following Hitz
- Melbourne’s current radio stars who began their career at Hitz FM
A very tiny sneak peak of the video below
You’ll see a TONNE of Hitz FM footage and photos, plus classic Fox FM TV commercials, stickers and a whole lot more. Over 30 videoclips, over 25 photos from Hitz FM and Fox FM in the early 90s! Plus, some classic radio station TV commercials you haven’t seen in decades.
(TIP: click “CAPTIONS” for silent viewing. )
PS: This is my second-last surprise as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Hitz FM’s groundbreaking Moorabbin broadcast. (What’s the final surprise? Something special to end this week.)
