After just four days off air, the 80s are back on MIX 101.1 Melbourne due to popular demand and a listener backlash.

Concerned that some listeners may have become tired of the 80s MIX which runs from noon to 1pm every weekday, MIX thought it was time for a change and decided to air a more 90s blend beginning last week.

MIX 101.1 Program Director, Dean Pickering, said the station “has been inundated with calls and emails following the change.”

“I had expected we’d get some calls, but we received hundreds of protests from upset listeners and now we’re into the thousands. The response has been simply staggering.

“Internally, MIX 101.1’s Loz Michelle & Des have led the charge to get the 80s hour back. I’m sure their subtle digs on the air also generated a good percentage of the calls.”

Pickering told radioinfo he is not MIX 101.1 reception’s favourite person at the moment, but hopes that now that the 80s MIX is back, the switchboard call volume will return to normal.

As a result of the listener response, the 90s hour only lasted four days and the 80s MIX returned to MIX 101.1 last Friday.

Pickering told radioinfo he will “never again underestimate the power of 80’s music and the passion of its fans.”

MIX’s listeners, often female and aged between 25 and 54, have a great connection with the likes of the Bangles, WHAM and Michael Jackson, according to Pickering.