Ace Radio Network

Ace Radio Broadcasters is an Australian media company. Formed in 1984, it operates 21 commercial radio stations in Victoria and southern New South Wales, as well as the digital marketing agency Ace Digital and The Weekly Advertiser, a free newspaper distributed across the Wimmera region. Ace Radio Broadcasters was founded in 1984, following the acquisition of radio station 3HA in Hamilton, Victoria by Associated Communication Enterprises, owners of the Melbourne newspaper Truth. The group acquired 3CS Colac in 1985 and, by 1986, had control of 3SH Swan Hill and 3WM Horsham. As of 1994, the company was in the joint control of Geoff and Helen Handbury and Rowly and Judy Paterson, and had additional interests in radio stations in Wollongong, Shepparton and Geelong. The company continued to expand in the late 1990s and into the 2000s. Divesting itself of 3SR and Sun FM Shepparton and Bay FM Geelong, in 1995 the company acquired 3TR Traralgon and 3YB Warrnambool. In 1996, Ace Radio commenced the roll-out of FM radio in its markets, launching Mixx FM branded stations in Horsham, Swan Hill and Colac, with Mixx FM Hamilton and Coast FM Warrnambool launching in 2002. Also in 2002, 3TR converted to the FM band as TRFM, with 3GV launched on the former AM frequency.