Zinc 96.1
| Company type | Commercial radio broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Maroochydore , Australia |
Area served | Sunshine Coast region |
| Owner | ARN (Australian Radio Network) |
Zinc 96.1 (ACMA callsign: 4NNN) is a commercial radio broadcaster specializing in adult contemporary music, operating from Maroochydore, Queensland and serving the Sunshine Coast region. The station is owned by the ARN.
History
The station began operations in 1997 under the name The Heat 96.1, originally owned by Broadcast Operations Group. In July 2005, ownership transferred to AMI Radio, which also managed rival station Hot 91.1.
By February 2006, the station underwent a rebranding to become Zinc 96.1, focusing on listeners aged 40 and above. Its morning lineup featured a zoo-style breakfast program with hosts Jamie Dunn, Jo Beth Taylor, Ian Calder, and Johjo Switzer. Ownership changed hands again in 2007 when both Zinc and Hot were acquired by Prime Media Group, followed by a sale to Grant Broadcasters in 2013.
In November 2021, ARN purchased Zinc 96.1 along with several other stations from Grant Broadcasters, granting these regional outlets access to ARN's iHeartRadio platform. This transaction was completed on 4 January 2022. Zinc 96.1 is slated to join ARN's Pure Gold Network while maintaining its established branding.
Programming
Zinc 96.1 caters primarily to an audience aged over 35, with programming that appeals more to men but remains accessible and attractive to female listeners, emphasizing adult contemporary music selections.