4KQ
| Company type | Commercial radio broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | May 7, 1947 in Brisbane, Australia |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Radio broadcasting |
| Owner | Sports Entertainment Network |
4KQ is a commercial radio broadcaster located in Brisbane, Australia, currently owned by the Sports Entertainment Network (SEN).
History
The station's inception followed the awarding of a licence with the callsign 4KQ in August 1946. Broadcasting commenced on 7 May 1947 at 650 kHz, initially under the ownership of the Australian Labor Party, which led to a number of disputes concerning its affiliation.
On 1 September 1948, 4KQ adjusted its frequency to 690 kHz and was promoted as 4KQ 700. The original transmission power was set at 1,000 watts, later receiving authorization in April 1954 to increase to 2,000 watts.
The station shifted frequencies again in 1978 to 693 kHz. By 1980, a group of investors including Michael Edgley, Col Joye, and Michael Willesee had collectively acquired a 48.5% stake in the company.
693 4KQ, The Best Country in the World
During the late 1970s through the early 1980s, 4KQ achieved the top position in Brisbane’s radio ratings by featuring a format centered on American and Australian country music. Operating out of studios located at Breakfast Creek in Newstead, the station's corporate voice was Alan McGirvan, with Ian Skippen serving as Program Director and Ron Adsett as music director. The "Best Country in the World" slogan was maintained until mid-1986.
Hourly news updates were broadcast from 6am to 6pm daily, with lead newsreader Roy Jamieson delivering bulletins. Evening news segments consisted of brief updates sourced from Reuters wire reports.
The Latest Hits and Greatest Memories years
In June 1986, ownership transferred to Wesgo, recognized for its popular "Latest Hits and Greatest Memories" programming at Sydney’s 2WS. Under the guidance of Program Director Paul J Turner—previously a breakfast announcer at 4IP—the station transitioned from its country music format to this new style.
More recent years
By the year 2020, 4KQ’s playlist comprised classic hits spanning the 1960s through the 1980s, supplemented by select tracks from the 1990s. The station targeted an audience aged between 40 and 54. Its studios had relocated to Milton alongside sister station 97.3 FM from their former premises in Stones Corner.
Sale to SEN and rebrand
Following the November 2021 acquisition of Grant Broadcasters by Here, There & Everywhere (company), regulatory restrictions necessitated divestment of certain stations, including 4KQ. In May 2022, ownership was transferred to Sports Entertainment Network.
Under SEN’s management, the station was rebranded as 693 SENQ and adopted a "constant sporting content" format, positioning itself as "Queensland's only dedicated sports station." The classic hits programming concluded on 30 June 2022, marking the end of long-standing breakfast show hosts Laurel Edwards (30 years), Gary Clare (31 years), and Mark Hine (16 years).
Programming
Currently, the station airs classic hits alongside hourly news bulletins during weekdays. News updates increase to every half hour throughout the Breakfast show. Traffic information is provided hourly but intensifies to every fifteen minutes during Breakfast and every twenty minutes during Drive time.