Pacific Star Network is continuing its aggressive expansion with the launch of a new 24/7 dedicated sport content radio station, SEN SA, following the recent acquisition of the South Australian 1629AM narrowcast radio licence by its wholly owned subsidiary Crocmedia.
The launch of SEN SA sees the brand return to Adelaide after it initially launched way back in 2005 at SEN 1323 before closing not long after. That frequency is now used by ARN’s Adelaide music station Cruise 1323.
Pacific Star Network CEO and managing director Craig Hutchison said yesterday 1629 SEN SA will kick off with the first Test match of the cricket season at Adelaide Oval on December 6, 2018.
Other programming will include a local breakfast, afternoon and drive show, exclusive coverage of all 59 Big Bash League matches and syndicated sport talk shows from the company’s other radio assets. Hosting the local breakfast show will be former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes while there is no detail of the local drive show yet. Malcolm Blight already hosts an early evening sports show for Crocmedia which is heard in Adelaide on Nova Entertainment’s Fiveaa. Kornes will be leaving that show which he currently co-hosts with Blight.
SEN will broadcast its Melbourne-based morning show with Gerard Whateley and the afternoon show with Andy Maher on the new Adelaide frequency.
Hutchy said yesterday: “South Australia is a parochial state and 1629 SEN SA will deliver thousands of hours of local content each year across all sports. That’s content made in Adelaide for South Australians.
“It will also, however, provide national content and leverage the broader business rights and content portfolio. Put simply it provides the best of both worlds.
“South Australia already provides 10% of SEN Melbourne’s online audience and around 40,000 South Australians are already 1116 SEN listeners remotely.”
Pacific Star paid cash for the Adelaide licence but did not disclose the amount, which it claimed was “not material to the company”.
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Top Photo: Kane Cornes