Hot 30 Countdown

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Hot30 Countdown, is a radio program casted on the Austereo Network between 7pm and 10pm, adjusted with the timezone differences across Australia.

Listeners are asked to place their votes on the Hot30 website or vote by phone on 1800 15 11 00, with the incentive that listeners will go in the draw to win prizes, such as CDs, clothing, Apple iPod Nano's, and other gadgets.

[edit] Hosts

The show was formerly hosted by the radio jocks Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O. Before then, it was originally hosted by Ugly Phil and Jackie O. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O moved to drivetime on the Austereo Network in 2004, in which Labrat and Alexis (from MMM Adelaide) were hired to host. Labrat eventually left, and was replaced by Higgo. Upon Alexis moving to SAFM and Higgo to Fox FM in 2005, Craig "Lowie" Low took over the countdown. Low stepped down in November 2006, with Sam Mac as the new host. This was however only temporary and Tim Lee now anchors the show. Co-hosting the show is "Biggzy", who also co-hosted both Sam Mac and Lowie.

Soulman, Zoe Sheridan and Mamajugs also did various fill in shifts throughout the programs career.

In 2005, Alexis returned to SAFM (the South Australian branch of the Austereo Network), and Lowie was selected to reface the Hot30 countdown, to match the branding power of thir new rival DMG's Nova.

Lowie has since obtained immense success as well as controversy. An example is the increased inclusion of gay listeners on talk-back, rising from 15% to a massive 65% of listeners, according to a press release by Austereo.

Chodoboy, an openly gay radio jock, was employed as the producer of the show. This has resulted in rival Nova nick-naming 2DayFM as Too Gay FM.

On November 10 2006 Austereo announced Low announced his decision to leave the Hot30 to concentrate on other media opportunities. Low had hosted the Hot30 for nearly two years and planned to shift his focus to his role at FOX8 and developing his stand up comedy show. It was rumoured that Lowie was forced out of the radio network after pressure from The Veronicas record label when it became clear he was behind the morning radio stunt after the 2006 ARIA Awards where he was "caught" in bed with Lisa Origliasso.

On 14 November 2006, The Herald Sun reports that sources advise the newspaper he was pushed. Apparently Lowie had one too many clashes with staff and management.