The new owner was The Radio Network, a subsidiary of APN News & Media and Clear Channel Communications, which operated as a division of the Australian Radio Network.
[1] In 1998, Radio Forestland became part of the Community Radio Network with all programming outside of the breakfast show being fed from a central studio originally based in Taupo.
At this point the station became known as Classic Hits Radio Forestland.
A networked breakfast presented by Polly Gillespie and Grant Kareama was introduced to almost all The Hits stations with the former breakfast announcer moved to present a 6-hour show between 9 am and 3 pm.
The Hits in South Waikato contains the same local programming as Hamilton.