The launch of new FM Gold Coast station Hot Tomato is imminent.

Managing Director Hans Torv told radioinfo:

“1029 Hot Tomato will be officially on-air shortly. The team have gone from counting the weeks and days to counting down the hours.”

radioinfo: You did not mention a specific launch date. Is it this weekend?

Torv: “Are you on RG Capital payroll? I’m not telling you yet!

By the way, we invited the RG Capital on-air team over to have a look around, a few of them accepted, and were also blown away by the design and ambience of the Tomato Hothouse. Us old jocks know that everyone in radio loves taking a peek at the other guy’s gear.”

A Gold Coast resident, who is not associated with the station, is expected to be the first live voice on-air. This person was selected from several thousand entries in a pre-launch campaign conducted in conjunction with the Gold Coast Bulletin.

”Local and national advertisers have welcomed Hot Tomato by confidently signing up to advertising contracts, having seen the station’s presentation and format plans. We will launch under the slogan ‘1029 Hot Tomato – only ever 2 ads in a row. Guaranteed,’” said Torv.

“The Hot Tomato team promise a new listening experience with less clutter, no smut and a real focus on adult music.”

The station’s building is almost complete. The pictures show the studios, the sales area, and the kitchen.