New Wisebuddah sounds hit the right notes for Austria’s Hitradio Ö3

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Austria’s No.1 radio station, Hitradio Ö3, have scaled up their partnership with London-based production company, Wisebuddah; commissioning them to refresh their main station sound and information output. 

Ö3 reaches over 2.5 million listeners per day (with a market share of almost 40% within their target audience of listeners aged 14-49), and the new package features 25 shotguns of varying styles and genres to resonate with the demographic, along with two new Chart Show IDs – with influences from Dua Lipa to The Black Keys.

The first phase of the project saw a new Information Suite hit the Austrian airwaves earlier in the year following a herculean orchestral session, uniquely recorded amid the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The session, with orchestral arrangement by the renowned Cliff Masterson (Oasis, Lionel Ritchie, Josh Groban), used the famous Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra – the ORF broadcaster’s official orchestra, and the only radio orchestra in Austria. The Suite features ten bespoke compositions, ranging from Breaking News to Elections. 

Heinz Donaubauer, Hitradio Ö3’s Head of Production, said: “Ö3 wanted to renew its news layout and was looking for the right company to work with on this project. In a competitive pitch Wisebuddah convinced us that they have the best ideas and approach to our new news layout.

In a time of fake news and misinformation it is very important to us that our listeners trust us and be ensured that the information we give them is based on facts and accurate without being manipulative. We also believe that the lack of trust in the news by classical media is a result of overly dramatic presentation and exaggeration. That is why we were looking for a news layout which helps focusing on the information and provides a calm and serious base for our news anchors to present the facts.

Because the production took place during the Coronavirus pandemic, we were facing several challenges. But with the help and expertise of Wisebuddah we achieved an excellent final product, that not only serves our needs but also sounds really good.

Since the launch of the new layout, we have received very positive feedback from our listeners, and I am quite confident that Ö3 will be using this layout for many years to come.”

Wisebuddah’s Managing Director, Phil Tozer, said: “When Heinz came to us with the brief for the new package, we knew it was going to be a special one to produce – orchestral elements, contemporary references, new vocal ideas – and it did not disappoint! 

Because of the unique circumstances, the new package has been over a year in the planning, and the time invested from all areas (from the musicians, the arrangement, the close collaboration from Heinz) means there are a lot of fond memories and love for this one. It’s great to hear it all come together and hit the airwaves.”Check out the Wisebuddah website featuring this package and many more (including work for BBC Radio 1 (UK), Radio 538 (Netherlands) and SWR1 (Germany) at www.wisebuddah.com.