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Adult hits (sometimes also called variety hits) is a radio format drawing from popular music from the late 1960s to the present. The format typically focuses on classic hits, but blended with adult contemporary, pop, and rock hits from the 1970s through at least the 1990s, and is synonymous with franchised brands such as Jack FM and Bob FM.

History

Forerunners of the adult hits format appeared on radio during the 1970s. At the time, enough of a backlog of popular music from the rock and roll era had developed to support a format based on them; oldies stations, however, were still very rare, and instead, stations that did not want to bind themselves to the current top 40 playlist would mix in current hits with the hits of the past two decades. This hybrid format began to fall out of favor in the 1980s as self-contained oldies stations rose to prominence. The Adult Hits format dates back to 1990 when 98.9 WMMO was launched in Orlando, Florida.[citation needed] Another predecessor was the short-lived "rhythm and rock" format run by KYOT in Phoenix, Arizona in the early 1990s.[1][2] Adult hits stations target adults 25–54, and more specifically at 35- to 44-year-olds. Freeform could also be seen as another forerunner due to the freedom of music choice the DJ's had, very similar to what makes up the core basis of the adult hits format.

A large number of adult hits stations utilize male names as their branding. The practice was popularized by the franchised Jack FM and Bob FM brands, and has been widely imitated with other common male names.

  • "Traditional country" is a format of country music that focuses primarily on neotraditional, country pop and country rock hits from roughly the 1980s through the 2000s, while also incorporating certain artists of the current time whose music may fit the style. The format generally stays midway between acoustic bluegrass and "bro-country" sounds, instead focusing on what many fans consider "traditional", popular country.
  • A Spanish-language variation of the format, "Jose FM", is syndicated by Entravision.

Formatting

The adult hits format draws from a wide playlist of broad appeal, consisting primarily of adult contemporary, pop, and rock hits from the late 1960s through at least the 1990s—including but not limited to classic rock (including pop rock and hair metal), power ballads, dance pop, and new wave among others. The size of their music library and their focus on older music provide a contrast to other stations, which may heavily play certain popular songs throughout the day.

Due to its broad nature, the adult hits format can be easily automated. This means that the station can be run with little to no on-air personalities (a trait that, in some cases, may be openly promoted by the station), leaving only staff involved in station operations, advertising sales, and promotional presences. However, some adult hits stations may still maintain a full airstaff.

Radio stations

Canada

Bell Media and Rogers Media operate chains of adult hits stations under the Bounce Radio and Jack FM brands respectively.

Location Call sign Frequency Brand Name
Belleville, Ontario CJOJ 95.5 FM "95-5 Hits FM"
Brockville, Ontario CJPT 103.7 FM "Bounce Radio 103.7"
Calgary, Alberta CJAQ 96.9 FM "Jack 96.9"
Chatham/Windsor, Ontario CKUE 95.1 and 100.7 FM "Cool FM"
Edmonton, Alberta CKNG 92.5 FM "92.5 The Chuck"
Espanola, Ontario CJJM 99.3 FM "Moose FM"
Halifax, Nova Scotia CFLT 92.9 FM "Jack 92.9"
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario CKLY 91.9 FM "Bounce Radio 91.9"
Kelowna, British Columbia CJUI 103.9 FM "Juice FM"
London, Ontario CHST 102.3 FM "Jack 102.3"
Stratford, Ontario CJCS 107.1 FM "107.1 Juice FM"
Montreal, Quebec CKDG* 105.1 FM "Mike FM"
North Bay, Ontario CFXN 106.3 FM "Moose FM"
Parry Sound, Ontario CKLP 103.3 FM "Moose FM"
Grande Prairie, Alberta CIKT 98.9 FM "Q99"
Red Deer, Alberta CKRI 100.7 FM "100.7 Cruz FM"
Regina, Saskatchewan CKCK 94.5 FM "Jack 94.5"
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan CFWD 96.3 FM "96.3 Cruz FM"
Smiths Falls, Ontario CJET 92.3 FM "Jack 92.3"
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador CKSJ 101.1 FM "Coast 101.1"
Sudbury, Ontario CHNO 103.9 FM "Rewind 103.9
Timmins, Ontario CHMT 93.1 FM "Moose FM"
Vancouver, British Columbia CJAX 96.9 FM "Jack 96.9"
Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec CJVD 100.1 FM "CJVD 100,1"
Victoria, British Columbia CHTT 103.1 FM "Jack 103.1"
Wainwright, Alberta CKWY 93.7 FM "Wayne FM"
Winnipeg, Manitoba CFWM 99.9 FM "Bounce Radio 99.9"
  • CKDG: Adult hits only during drive times. All other times station serves as a multicultural station.

United States

Location Call sign Frequency Brand Name
Abilene, Texas KTJK 106.3 FM "The Raider"
Albuquerque, New Mexico KDRF 103.3 FM "Ed FM"
Altoona, Pennsylvania WYUP 107.1 FM / 1400 AM "Jack FM"
Anchorage, Alaska KBBO-FM 92.1 FM "BOB FM"
Appleton, Wisconsin WYDR 94.3 FM "Jack FM"
Auburn, Alabama WQNR 99.9 FM "Kate FM"
Austin, Texas KBPA 103.5 FM "Bob FM"
Bad Axe, Michigan WLEW-FM 102.1 FM "Cruise 102.1"
Bakersfield, California KGFM 101.5 FM "Big FM"
Baltimore, Maryland WQSR 102.7 FM "Jack FM"
Bloomington-Normal, Illinois WBBE 97.9 FM "Bob FM"
Boise, Idaho KSRV-FM 96.1 FM "Bob FM"
Bonham, Texas KFYN 103.9 FM / 1420 AM "Rewind 103.9"
Boston, Massachusetts WBGB 103.3 FM "Big 103"
Bowling Green, Kentucky WKLX 100.7 FM "Sam FM"
Buffalo, New York WBUF 92.9 FM "Jack FM"
Calabash, North Carolina WYNA 104.9 FM "Bob FM"
Cambria, California KCJZ 105.3 FM "Bob FM"
Cape Cod, Massachusetts WFRQ 93.5 FM "Frank FM"
Casper, Wyoming KRVK 107.9 FM "Jack FM"
Charleston, South Carolina WAVF 101.7 FM "Chuck FM"
Charlotte, North Carolina WLKO 102.9 FM "The Lake"
Chico, California KBQB 92.7 FM "Bob FM"
Cleveland, Ohio WHLK 106.5 FM "The Lake"
Clinton, Iowa KMCN 94.7 FM "Mac FM"
Columbia, Missouri KWJK 93.1 FM "Jack FM"
Columbia, South Carolina WLTY 96.7 FM "Steve FM"
Columbus, Ohio WODC 93.3 FM "The Bus"
Dallas, Texas KJKK 100.3 FM "Jack FM"
Dayton, Ohio WGTZ 92.9 FM "Jack FM"
Decatur, Illinois WEJT 105.1 FM "Jack FM"
Des Moines, Iowa KDRB 100.3 FM "The Bus"
Dyersburg, Tennessee WASL "Jack FM"
Edwards, California KGBB 103.9 FM "Bob FM"
Emporia, Kansas KANS 96.1 FM "Bob FM"
Elko, Nevada KLKO 93.7 FM "Jack FM"
Erie, Pennsylvania WXBB 94.7 FM "Bob FM"
Eugene, Oregon KEUG 105.5 FM "Bob FM"
Fairbanks, Alaska KTDZ 103.9 FM "Ted FM"
Fargo, North Dakota KRWK 101.9 FM "Jack FM"
Fayetteville, North Carolina WFLB 96.5 FM "Bob FM"
Fort Myers, Florida WJGO 102.9 FM "Bob FM"
Fort Wayne, Indiana WWFW 103.9 FM "Wayne FM"
Grand Forks, North Dakota KGFK 95.7 FM/1590 AM "The Forks"
Greensboro, North Carolina WSMW 98.7 FM "98.7 Simon"
Hampton Roads-Norfolk, Virginia WNOB 93.7 FM "Bob FM"
Hartford, Connecticut WHCN 105.9 FM "The River"
Hendersonville, North Carolina WMYI 102.5 FM "The Lake"
Houston, Texas KKHH 95.7 FM "The Spot"
Hudson, Wyoming KTUG 105.1 FM "Jack FM"
Jackson, Tennessee WMXX-FM 103.1 FM ”Kool Mix 103.1”
Johnstown, Pennsylvania WKGE 101.3 FM / 850 AM "Jack FM"
Jonesboro, Arkansas KDRS-FM 92.7 FM "Jack FM"
Joplin, Missouri KMXL 95.1 FM "Mike FM"
Kalamazoo, Michigan WVFM 106.5 FM "Jack FM"
Knoxville, Tennessee WNFZ 94.3 FM "Jack FM"
Lafayette, Indiana WBPE 95.3 FM "Bob FM"
Lansing, Michigan WHZZ 101.7 FM "Mike FM"
Lakeland, Florida WWRZ 98.3 FM "Max FM"
Las Vegas, Nevada KYMT 93.1 FM "The Mountain"
Lexington, Kentucky WLXX 101.5 FM "Jack FM"
Little Rock, Arkansas KCON 92.7 FM "Jack FM"
Lompoc, California KBOX 104.1 FM "Pirate Radio"
Los Angeles, California KCBS-FM 93.1 FM "Jack FM"
Loudonville, New York WVCR 88.3 FM "The Saint"
Louisa, Virginia WOJL 105.5 FM "Sam FM"
Madison, Wisconsin WXXM 92.1 FM "Rewind 92.1"
Milwaukee, Wisconsin WRIT-FM 95.7 FM "BIG FM"
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota KZJK 104.1 FM "Jack FM"
Missoula, Montana KYJK 105.9 FM "Jack FM"
Morgantown, West Virginia WZST 100.9 FM "Jack FM"
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina WYNA 104.9 FM "Bob FM"
Nashville, Tennessee WCJK 96.3 FM "Jack FM"
Norwalk/Sandusky/Port Clinton, Ohio WLKR-FM 95.3 FM "95-3 WLKR"
Ottawa, Illinois WRKX 95.3 FM "Jack FM"
Owensboro, Kentucky WTCJ 98.7 FM / 106.7 FM / 1230 AM "Jack FM"
Panama City, Florida WASJ 105.1 FM "Bob FM"
Pearl, Mississippi WPBP-LP 104.3 FM "Power 104.3 The Pirate"
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania WBEN-FM 95.7 FM "Ben FM"
Phoenix, Arizona KYOT 95.5 FM "The Mountain"
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania WRRK 96.9 FM "Bob FM"
Portland, Oregon KYCH 97.1 FM "Charlie FM"
Pueblo, Colorado KTSC-FM 89.5 FM "Rev89"
Rainier, Oregon KPPK 98.3 FM "The Peak"
Raleigh, North Carolina WBBB-FM 96.1 FM "Radio 96.1"
Redding, California KESR 107.1 FM "Bob FM"
Redwood Falls, Minnesota KLGR-FM 97.7 FM "Jack FM"
Rhinelander, Wisconsin WRHN 100.1 FM "Jack FM"
Rochester, New York WFKL-FM 93.3 FM "Fickle 93.3"
Rock Springs, Wyoming KSIT 99.7 FM "Jack FM"
Rolla, Missouri KDAA 103.1 FM "Sam 103.1 (FM)"
Russellville, Arkansas KCAB 97.1 FM / 980 AM "Bob FM"
Saginaw, Michigan WMJO 97.3 FM "Joe FM"
Sag Harbor, New York WLNG 92.1 FM "92.1 WLNG"
San Antonio, Texas KJXK-FM 102.7 FM "Jack FM"
San Diego, California KFBG 100.7 FM "Big FM"
Seattle, Washington KJAQ 96.5 FM "Jack FM"
Sedalia, Missouri KSDL 92.3 FM "Bob FM"
Sisseton, South Dakota KJKQ 99.5 FM "Jack FM"
Smyrna, Delaware WRDX 92.9 FM "Tom-FM"
Spokane, Washington KBBD 103.9 "Bob FM"
Springfield, Illinois WCVS-FM 96.7 FM "Bob FM"
Springfield, Missouri KRZD 107.5 FM / 1550 AM "Bob FM"
St. Louis, Missouri WARH 106.5 FM "The Arch"
Sterling, Colorado KSRX 97.5 FM "Bob FM"
Susanville, California KAJK 96.3 FM "Jack FM"
Topeka, Kansas KSAJ-FM 98.5 FM "Jack FM"
Traverse City, Michigan WZTC 104.5 FM "Bob FM"
Twin Falls, Idaho KIKX 104.7 FM "Bob FM"
Tyler, Texas KOOI 106.5 FM "Jack FM"
Vero Beach, Florida WJKD 99.7 FM "Jack FM"
Victoria, Texas KTXN-FM 98.7 FM "Jack FM"
Watertown, New York WBLH 92.5 FM "Tunes 92.5"
Wausau, Wisconsin WOZZ 94.7 FM / 102.9 FM "Jack FM"
West Plains, Missouri KSPQ 93.9 FM "Jack FM"
Wichita, Kansas KBOB-FM 97.1 FM "Bob FM"
Wichita Falls, Texas KWFB 100.9 FM "Jack FM"
Williston, North Dakota KDSR 101.1 FM "Jack FM"
Winfield, Kansas KSOK-FM 95.9 FM "Bob FM"

Mexico

Location Call sign Frequency Brand Name
Mexico City XHRED-FM 88.1 FM "Universal 88.1"
Mexico City XHDFM-FM 106.5 FM "Mix 106.5"

Philippines

Location Call sign Frequency Brand Name
Pasig DZRJ-FM 100.3 FM "100.3 RJFM"
Quezon City DWNU 107.5 FM "Wish 107.5"
Parañaque DWLA 105.9 FM "Neo Retro 105.9"

Europe

New Zealand

Russia

Satellite radio

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Industry's Newspaper" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1009. 10 September 1993. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 January 2023.[page needed]
  2. ^ "Forum posts". Radio Discussions. Retrieved 21 March 2023. [better source needed]