4MK is a commercial radio station, licensed to broadcast in the
Mackay region of Queensland. The station is currently owned by
ARN and broadcasts on 1026 AM.
Programming
The station currently broadcasts some locally presented programming, such as the breakfast and morning programs, which are presented by Mackay-based announcers.
However, the station also sources some programming produced from elsewhere in the Grant Broadcasters network. This includes the 4MK afternoon show which sounds as though it is presented locally, but actually consists of pre-recorded segments compiled in
Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone ( ; 29 December 1809 – 19 May 1898) was a British politican, starting as Conservative MP for Newark and later becoming the leader of the Liberal Party (UK), Liberal Party.
In a career lasting over 60 years, he ...
by the
4CC breakfast announcer
The networked ''20/20 Retro Countdown'' heard on 4MK and hosted by Andrew Thain.
Networked programming such as ''Sports Day'' is also heard on 4MK.
In June 2016, the results from first ratings survey in the Mackay radio market since 2003 were released. 4MK performed best in the 55–64 and 65+ demographics, with 11% and 19.5% of audience share respectively. The station's 9 am-midday morning show was the most listened to program on 4MK with 7.8% audience share.
History
It was first announced in 1930 that Mackay would likely be home to a new low-powered radio station with 4MK as its call-sign.
. The station went to air for the first time in 1931, commencing operation from the front room of a private residence belonging to the station owner's father.
In 1999, the 4MK branding was moved to Mackay's new FM station
4MK-FM which commenced broadcasting on 101.9 FM. The original AM station was renamed EasyMix 1026.
However, in March 2009 the FM station was re-branded from 4MK-FM to Zinc, which allowed the AM station to revert to its original 4MK callsign. In 2016, the FM station experienced another rebrand as its name was changed from Zinc to Star 101.9. Unlike in 2009, 4MK's name, format and frequency remained unchanged.
In 2011, 4MK celebrated its 80th anniversary.
One of the station's longest serving employees was Trevor Lymbery who began working in the radio industry in 1959, commencing work as an announcer at 4MK in 1964. Lymbery was an announcer for four years before moving to other roles at 4MK including being a sales manager and account executive. He retired in September 2010.
In November 2021, 4MK, along with other stations owned by
Grant Broadcasters
Grant Broadcasters is an Australian regional radio network. Founded in 1942, by 2019 it owned 53 radio stations. In 2022, it sold 46 to Here, There & Everywhere (company), Here, There & Everywhere, retaining shareholdings in seven in Canberra, G ...
, were acquired by the
Australian Radio Network
ARN Media Ltd., formerly Here, There & Everywhere and APN News & Media, is an Australian media company. Divisions include broadcast radio and Out-of-home advertising. The company previously had assets in New Zealand, and previously owned Adsh ...
. This deal will allow Grant's stations, including 4MK, to access ARN's iHeartRadio platform in regional areas. The deal was finalized on 4 January 2022.
ARN and Grant Broadcasters unite to create Australia's leading radio and digital audio business
''AdNews Australia'' 4 January 2022 It was expected 4MK would integrate with ARN's Gold Network, but retain its current name according to the press release from ARN.
References
{{Australian Radio Network
Mackay, Queensland
Radio stations in Queensland
Radio stations established in 1931
Australian Radio Network
Classic hits radio stations in Australia