From Kiss to Kerr… The Ramones to Riccardo… Classic Hits broadcaster 4KQ will pivot to sports coverage after radio conglomerate Here, There and Everywhere (HT&E) was recently forced to let go of the station due to a license requirement. Classic Hits 4KQ 693 has been DJing the decades for South-East Queenslanders since the 80s and is an icon of the Brisbane radio community. However, if all goes to plan, Classic Hits will end its dance through the decades on July first of this year.
The change will bring sports-mad Queenslanders their first dedicated 24/7 sports station. CEO and Managing Director of HT&E, Ciaran Davis, explained to press that despite 4KQ’s notable reputation in South-East Queensland, the station hadn’t been performing well commercially due to agencies moving away from ad placements on AM music channels. The acquisition fits well with HT&E’s strategy of growth, however, for loyal listeners, the loss of a lasting icon of Brisbane radio will be felt deeply.
693 kHz AM was originally run by the Australian Labor Party with the K signifying the Labour Party and the Q representing Queensland. In 2001, ANR and Nova Entertainment launched 97.3FM and 4KQ, with 97.3FM becoming 4KQ’s more contemporary sister. Over the years, the station has curated content for the modern listener and become a regular among Brisbane’s top ranking radio stations.
Over the past seven years, MediaCast has worked with 4KQ to line up talent for talkback radio across their breakfast, mornings and drive shows. From Avocados to Heineken, 4KQ has picked up our pitches and broadcast client’s messaging across South-East Queensland. Most recently, 4KQ ran an interview with our client, ‘Classics for a Cause’, to highlight the launch of their Mobile Veterans’ Support Service to communicate the benefits this will bring to the community in Brisbane.
MediaCast has had the pleasure of working with 4KQ in a wide range of capacities from chatting to Harry Potter cast member, Chris Rankin to promote Going Live TV’s Cinderella Live’s debut, to Celebrity Vet, Dr Chris Brown for Mars Petcare to offer his advice on transitioning your pets out of lockdown.
The news of 4KQ’s end sent a wave of sadness through the MediaCast office. For those in the industry it’s sad to see the end of an era. However, when one door closes, another opens. We will definitely be reaching out with our sports related campaigns! At MediaCast we are always excited to make new connections in radio!