In what many are calling a major upset in the Pretoria radio market, HOT 102.7FM has taken top honours at this year’s Best of Pretoria Awards — winning both Best Radio Station and Best Radio Show (Breakfast).

For more than a decade, Pretoria-based stations have dominated these reader-voted awards. But for the first time since the competition began in 2013, a Johannesburg station has claimed the coveted title — a clear sign that HOT 102.7FM’s old-school hits, legendary presenters, and feel-good energy have struck a chord with listeners across Gauteng.

“This is the first time in our 12-year history that a Johannesburg-based station has won,” said Bennitt Bartl, Deputy Group Editor at The Record newspaper, a division of Caxton. “You guys definitely have reason to celebrate — get the champagne out!”

The 2025 Best of Pretoria Awards drew an impressive 530 000 votes across nearly 300 categories, with the entertainment section receiving more than 117 000 votes — the most of any category.

“Pretoria residents love music — and they love good music,” Bartl added. “That’s why they voted for HOT 102.7FM.”

Listeners praised the station for its refreshing, positive tone and intelligent conversation, with one voter saying, “I was tuning through stations and stumbled onto HOT 102.7FM. I couldn’t stop listening.”

“No bad news. Just good vibes, good music, and great company,” another added.

Unlike many industry competitions, the Best of Pretoria Awards are decided entirely by readers of The Record newspaper. “There’s no secret panel of judges,” Bartl explained. “The panel is the public. What you see in the results is exactly what Pretoria residents voted for — a true reflection of what people in the capital love.”

With its commitment to uplifting content and its community-driven Hot Cares initiatives, HOT 102.7FM continues to blur the lines between Johannesburg and Pretoria — proving that when it comes to great radio, listeners know what they love.

“Pretoria has spoken,” Bartl said. “HOT 102.7FM isn’t just Joburg’s best — it’s Pretoria’s favourite too.”