4MK
| Company type | Commercial radio broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Headquarters | Mackay , Australia |
Area served | Mackay, Queensland |
| Products | Radio broadcasting |
| Owner | ARN |
4MK operates as a commercial radio broadcaster licensed to serve the Mackay area in Queensland. The station, which is under the ownership of ARN, transmits on the 1026 AM frequency.
Programming
The station features a lineup of programs hosted by local Mackay presenters, including the breakfast show and the morning segment. These shows are broadcast live and cater specifically to the regional audience.
Additional programming is acquired from the Grant Broadcasters network. For instance, the afternoon show is a pre-recorded segment produced in Gladstone by the breakfast host of 4CC.
Furthermore, 4MK's schedule incorporates syndicated content such as the 20/20 Retro Countdown with Andrew Thain and the sports-focused program Sports Day.
In June 2016, following the first audience measurement in Mackay since 2003, 4MK emerged as the leader among listeners aged 55–64 and those over 65, securing market shares of 11% and 19.5%, respectively. The morning show airing from 9 am to noon was identified as the station’s highest-rated program, attracting a 7.8% share of listeners.
History
The establishment of 4MK was announced in 1930, with broadcasts commencing in 1931 from a room within the home of the station owner’s father.
In 1999, the original AM station underwent a branding change when its name was transferred to a newly launched FM station, 4MK-FM (101.9 FM). The AM frequency was subsequently renamed EasyMix 1026. A decade later, in March 2009, the FM outlet adopted the Zinc brand, which allowed the AM station to reclaim its original 4MK callsign. The FM station experienced another rebranding in 2016 to Star 101.9, while 4MK continued operating under its established name and format on AM.
Celebrating its 80th year on air in 2011, 4MK acknowledged Trevor Lymbery as one of its longest-tenured staff members. Lymbery began his career at the station as an announcer in 1964 before transitioning into sales and management positions until his retirement in 2010.
In November 2021, ARN completed the acquisition of 4MK along with other stations formerly owned by Grant Broadcasters. This transaction provided these regional stations with access to ARN’s iHeartRadio digital platform. Finalized on January 4, 2022, this agreement facilitates integration with ARN’s Gold Network while preserving the longstanding identity of the 4MK brand.