4CC (AM)
| Company type | Commercial radio broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | August 17, 1970 |
| Headquarters | Gladstone , Australia |
Area served | Central Queensland |
| Products | Classic Hits music radio broadcasting |
| Owner | Australian Radio Network |
| Website | www |
4CC is a commercial radio broadcaster specializing in Classic Hit music, transmitting to the Central Queensland region from Gladstone on the 927 kHz AM frequency.
History
The station commenced operations on 17 August 1970 under the callsign 4CD, serving the areas of Gladstone and Rockhampton. This identifier remained until November 1985 when ownership transferred to Wesgo. During the 1980s, 4CC focused on attracting listeners aged 25 to 39 by featuring an Adult Contemporary format, with locally produced shows airing from 5 am until midday. Prominent figures on-air included Noel Roberts (who later became station manager), Grant Cassidy, and Chris Costello.
In the 1990s, the station embraced a top 40 format under the brand Hot Hits 4CC to set itself apart from competitor 4RO, which broadcast classic hits. After being acquired by DMG Regional Radio in 1998, 4CC transitioned to a classic hits format consistent with sister stations like 4HI, 4ZR, and 4MK FM. The tagline "The Best Songs of All Time" was introduced as locally produced programming outside of breakfast hours was replaced by syndicated shows originating from Townsville.
Following DMG's merger with RG Capital in 2004 that created Macquarie Regional RadioWorks, overnight content from 4RO was incorporated into 4CC’s schedule. This allowed 4RO to concentrate on Sydney-based talkback programming. Due to regulatory requirements, Macquarie Southern Cross Media divested several stations including 4CC, which were sold to Prime Media Group.
In 2008, a local afternoon program was trialed but subsequently replaced by the nationally networked "Jonathan Coleman Experience." By April 2009, the station rebranded as Zinc 927, adopting a hybrid active/classic rock format aligned with other Prime-owned stations such as 4CA FM Cairns and Sea FM Townsville.
Grant Broadcasters purchased the station along with nine other Prime Media Queensland outlets in August 2013. On 2 June 2014, the Zinc identity was retired as the station relaunched under its traditional callsign as "Your Station" 4CC.
On 14 January 2016, 4CC shifted to a News Talk Music format mirroring sister station 4RO, adopting the slogan "News Talk and The Music You Love." This adjustment introduced networked programming primarily sourced from 4RO but met with listener dissatisfaction due to reduced music content. Consequently, morning and afternoon presenters were replaced.
Responding to negative audience reactions, on 21 March 2016, the station reverted to its Classic Hits format featuring slogans such as "Your Station, 4CC" and "The Station You Know and Love Is Back, 4CC."
In November 2021, ownership of Grant Broadcasters’ stations including 4CC transferred to the Australian Radio Network, granting access to ARN's iHeartRadio platform across regional markets. The transaction was completed on 30 November 2021.
Former presenters
Distinguished past presenters include Noel Roberts (later becoming station manager), Grant Cassidy, Dales Whyte, Iain Edwards, Chris Costello (deceased), Frank Bellett (deceased), Rob Thompson, Billy Rich, Warren Purchase, Wes Crook, Bernie Harper, Andrew Strachan, Peter Butler, Jim Alsop, Steve Curtis, Shane Richardson, 'Radar', Rob Kidd, Richard Burns, Glenn Johns, Guy Dobson, Kyle Sandilands, Grant Cooper, John Piva, Alex Hilling (deceased), Anthony Wight, Melissa Collins, Brent Gray, Marnie Burls, Simone Feiler, Michael J Bailey, Kieron Atkinson, Carl Liebold, Cliff Reeve, Warren Koglin, Ian Blackley, Dave Everett, Simon Healy, and Tania Feaver
Further reading
- Much-needed relocation for the 4CC crew
- ACMA draft local access plan for Rockhampton and Gladstone
- FM repeater to be added for 4CC Rocky | radioinfo
- 4CC inauguration: Station rooted in family connections