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4KQ is a commercial radio station in Brisbane, Australia owned by Sports Entertainment Network (SEN).

History

Planning for the station began after a licence with the callsign 4KQ was granted in August 1946. It began broadcasting on 7 May 1947 on 650 kHz under the ownership of the Australian Labor Party. The station was involved in number of controversies relating to this ownership.

On 1 September 1948, the station changed to 690 kHz, although was marketed in the 1970s and 1980s as 4KQ 700. Originally transmitting with 1,000 watts at launch, approval was given to upgrade to 2000W in April 1954.

In 1978 the station moved to 693 kHz. In 1980, Michael Edgley, Col Joye and Michael Willesee purchased a combined 48.5% shareholding. In 1986, 4KQ was purchased by Wesgo.

4KQ broadcast from Brisbane suburb of Milton, after moving with its sister station 97.3 FM from Stones Corner in 2020. It presented a classic hits format of music from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, with some 1990s, aimed at listeners 40–54 years of age.

Sale to SEN and rebrand

Following its purchase of Grant Broadcasters in November 2021, Here, There & Everywhere announced its intention to sell the station to comply with Australian Communications & Media Authority regulations that limit the number of radio stations an owner can have in one city. In May 2022, Sports Entertainment Network purchased the station.

Following the sale, SEN announced a rebrand to 693 SENQ and a programming change to "constant sporting content" as "Queensland's only dedicated sports station". On 30 June 2022 the station's former format ended, ending the long running service of breakfast announcers Laurel Edwards (30 years), Gary Clare (31 years), and Mark Hine (16 years).

Programming

4KQ's main programming component was formerly classic hits music. News Bulletins were also aired hourly weekdays, with an increased half-hourly frequency during the Breakfast programme. Traffic reports were also aired hourly, with an increased 15-minute frequency during the weekday Breakfast programme, and 20-minute frequency during the weekday Drive programme.

References

1. "Labour Radio Will Be 4KQ". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane. 16 August 1946. p. 3. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
2. "Labor's 4KQ "On The Air"". Worker. Brisbane. 12 May 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
3. "4KQ Goes On The Air". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane. 8 May 1947. p. 3. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
4. "Premier Warned On Cash To 4KQ". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane. 22 October 1947. p. 3. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
5. "Promise to check 4KQ advertising". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane. 16 March 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
6. "Liberals protest 4KQ cut speech by Hiley". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane. 15 October 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
7. "Radio change costly (You'll need new dial)". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane. 25 August 1948. p. 3. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
8. "More Watts To Radio Stations". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane. 23 April 1954. p. 8. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
9. Col Joye group to buy into 4KQ Canberra Times 1 February 1980 page 9
10. ALP ratifies sale Canberra Times 6 April 1986 page 3
11. ARN new Brisbane studios Radio Today
12. HTE buys Grand Broadcasters and will merge it with ARN network Mediaweek 12 November 2021
13. ARN's parent company acquires Grant Broadcasters 'Mumbrella 12 November 2021
14. SEN continues Queensland expansion with 4KQ 693AM Acquisition Sports Entertainment Network 5 May 2022
15. Atfield, Cameron (5 May 2022). "Goodbye 4KQ, as classic tunes to be replaced by non-stop sport". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
16. "Laurel, Gary & Mark sign off from 4KQ breakfast ending an era". RadioInfo Australia. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.

External links

• Official website
• Archived website for 4KQ prior to 2022 sale

• Australian Radio Network
• Sports radio stations in Australia
• Radio stations established in 1947
• Radio stations in Brisbane
• 1947 establishments in Australia