4BH transitions to Brisbane’s new home of Classic Hits

Reporter

The foundations have been laid to give disenchanted 4KQ listeners a new place to find their favourite music, with 4BH repositioning itself as Brisbane’s New Home of Classic Hits.

With the 4KQ music format soon to be no more, ACE Radio CEO Mark Taylor today confirmed that 4BH has transitioned to a Classic Hits station.

The branding has changed, and the outdoor ads are already up around Brisbane.

Taylor tells Radio Today “There was a clear and obvious hole in the market. We could have waited, but just thought – let’s get going.”

“All the stuff that 4KQ listeners are going to miss, we’ll be able to deliver.”

Taylor also addressed any concern that the 4BH frequency may not pack the same punch as that of 4KQ in terms of coverage.

“We have identical coverage and a well maintained transmission site. We’re very happy with the coverage.

Taylor says “We are very big on DAB. So there are three ways to listen: the traditional way, via the app or on DAB.”

He adds that as yet, he has no word on when ACMA approval for SEN may be forthcoming.

Radio Today readers had already picked up on some subtle clues about the transition, with Jayme Doran  commenting on our earlier article “4BH is now running its own Classic Hits log and is no longer log sharing with 2UE (has been since Tuesday). It appears they are getting ready now for when 4KQ switches to sport.”

“According to its website, 4BH will introduce its own versions of Sunday Morning 60s and Jukebox Saturday Night (long time staples of 4KQ).”

Gavin Miller also shared on social media the news his Classic Hits Countdown would be airing on 4BH.

Jayme says he, for one, won’t be giving the new sports format a chance on 693:

“Many will be turning off 693 once they switch to sport. I will be switching to 4BH as well as Magic 1278 from Melbourne (via Streaming) for music.”

“Hopefully ACE Radio can get some or most of the 4KQ team to come across to 4BH.”

Other Radio Today readers believe the sport format will struggle:

“It hasn’t worked in Sydney and Melbourne, and it won’t work in Brisbane.”

One likens the demise of 4KQ to a death in the family:

“Many, many listeners to 4KQ will not be interested in the least to this new format. You have torn the heart out of Brisbane radio for the older demographic.”

Another observed “The void 4KQ leaves behind is too big for ACE not to afford 4BH much greater investment in talent and much format leverage.”

“A few subtle changes are already underway at 4BH but do they meet the objective of becoming the ‘default option’ for listeners once 4KQ closes?”

“Alternatively listeners will disperse all over the place (in particular will be interesting to see whether ARN paint River 94.9 in capital city colours or keep if strictly local) or, worse for radio, some listeners will switch off altogether.”

One reader offered this advice:

“Note to 4BH & ACE Radio Broadcasters – if you want to take maximum advantage of the ‘exodus’ from 4KQ when 693 becomes 24/7 sport talk, do the following: Geet a local DJ/presenter or two, a Brisbane ‘name.’ – Play songs of Brisbane bands from the classic hits era (e.g. Railroad Gin, Carol Lloyd, Moscos & Stone, Moonlight). Have themed weekends like 70s, 80s, one-hit wonders, double-shots, etc. Consider a big Easter/Christmas countdown, similar to the 4KQ Easter Countdown of 1000 Hits.”

“If you manage to implement some or all of these, loyal 4KQ listeners are going to be more likely to make the switch to 4BH.”

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Recent comments (62)
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Dan
20 May 2022 - 1:19 pm

If Laurel Edwards doesn’t end up here I’ll eat my hat

Ian Holland
20 May 2022 - 1:43 pm

The change at 4BH makes total sense. The comments from the listener are valid. They should think about bringing the KQ breakfast show across along with Brent James to do the music and Dave D Whitcomb to continue on the Jukebox Saturday night. A no brainer

Ian Holland

SEQ radio listener
20 May 2022 - 2:09 pm

Does this mean that Laurel, Gary & Mark will make the switch too?

Mojo
20 May 2022 - 5:05 pm

Lineup?

Nathan Sherwood
20 May 2022 - 7:02 pm

Has the format actually failed in the southern states?

Rob Cox.
20 May 2022 - 7:59 pm

This is encouraging, 4bh has made the same age old mistake, that is because a song is easy or slow it is not necessarily listenable, some of their stuff is meloncholly, or just morbid and sad.
I have noticed an improvement this week, way better more lively, probably in an attempt to get 4kq people across, just remember, you have to be consistent, people will be onto it otherwise! Quick example, take note Trevor Sinclair, if you play Neil Diamond, then go for something like Crunchy Granola, not Love on the rocks, or Bachman Turner Overdrive instead of your favourite Lionel Ritchie, please! Rob.

Johnny
20 May 2022 - 9:42 pm

Don’t get too excited 3mp has had no impact in Melbourne. Mark Taylor is a smart operator regionally but yet to see what ace can do in a major market. Take it easy guys. The breaky show in melbs has had no impact at all. The owner must have deep pockets.

JASON
21 May 2022 - 6:56 am

GOOD MOVE BY ACE RADIO NOOW MARK TAYLOR CAM SIGN LAUREL AND 4KQ’S BREAKFAST TEAM TO 4BH AND THE WEEEKDAY TEAM CURRENT;Y AT 4KQ ALL CAN START AT 4BH ON FRIDAY JULY 1ST ALREADY 4BH AN=HAS SUNDAY MORNJNG 6-‘S FROM 4KQ ACE RADIO CAN BUY 4KQ’S MUSIC FORMAT FROM SEN AND PUT IT ON 4BH THEN THE 4KQ LISTENERS CAN BE GLAD BECAUSE THE 4KQ TEAM CAN BE HEARD AGAIN ON 4BH AND 4BH QON’T HAVE ANY NETWORKED SHOWS FROM EITHER SYDNEY OR MELBOURNE

Nicholas Baltzer
21 May 2022 - 7:13 am

Hi yes I will be going to put my Radio on to 4BH when 4KQ goes. I am looking forward to 4BH coming my favourite Radio station. Thank you 4BH for doing this

Kieron
21 May 2022 - 9:34 am

4BH is getting handed a massive audience on a silver platter. Play the up tempo/ up vibe songs. Bring the personalities over from 693. Get onto it ACE!

matt
21 May 2022 - 9:49 am

if ace are willing to do this, then you might have a winner –
4BH need to treat brisbane as a single entity – without the network stuff.
While carbon copying 4KQ would normally be a BAD idea, with 4KQ going away, it’s a no brainer, grab the whole lot, team and all and run with it, 4KQ ran #1 and (back when 4BH was live and local) traded places regularly.

advertise that the whole show is now here and watch your ratings grow again.

this chance desn’t come around ever, Take it, Run with it, Win it – LIVE AND LOCAL

Anne Taylor
21 May 2022 - 1:44 pm

I switched from 4BH to 4KQ years ago because I found 4BH’s songs dreary and depressing. Now I have all the radios in the house and my computer permanently on 4KQ and the vibe is cheerful and light-hearted. I love the format and the 70s and One Hit Wonder Weekends, the Easter and New Year Countdowns, 25 Years in 25 Days, Double Shots etc. I love the presenters’ deep knowledge of the singers and bands and the snippets of information they give. I don’t like sport blaring from my radio and will never listen to it! PLEASE 4BH adopt 4KQ’s format and you can’t go wrong. Current listeners of 4KQ will come to you in droves.
It’s not just Baby Boomers who are 4KQ’s listeners but other generations too. The driver of my daughter’s school bus back in the 1990s always had 4KQ on, mornings and afternoons, and she got to know and love the songs they played. She was devastated when she heard about the sale of 4KQ. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the Classic Hits format to remain in Brisbane and transfer to 4BH.

Terry
21 May 2022 - 4:08 pm

Why can’t we listen on line without downloading the app. I miss that.

Andrea Ruming
21 May 2022 - 4:15 pm

I will definitely move to 4BH it’s the type of music I love it’s my era .
I think 4BH will be a big winner if they can get the morning crew on board plus other djs
I’ve listened to 4BH and 4KQ for decades even my kids listened to to them . You can’t beat that type of music . Please get the morning crew on board .

Shane Mills
21 May 2022 - 4:26 pm

I like the way 4bh is at the moment.
I would hope that if they take on the 4kq crew, they don’t increase the ads.
I stopped listening to 4kq because there were too many ads, especially during the morning show.

Classic 60's
21 May 2022 - 8:45 pm

Firstly 4BH needs to get their audio processing on DAB+ to sound like 4KQ’s which is very full and virtually pops out of the stereo. 4BH is very flat. 4KQ seems to be able to make every song sound great and have a reason of being in the playlist. The announcers can even tell you who made the coffee while the track was being recorded. That’s what makes it unique

Helena Morton
22 May 2022 - 9:19 am

I am one of the normally “silent” faithful 4KQ listeners for the past over 56 years.
The description of “tearing the heart out of us loyal 4KQ listeners” is true and is really literally a loss like the death of my whole family and friends.
I have run a cleaning business in construction since 1979, with focused commitment, and have not had time or energy to develop many close personal connections in my life.
Along with so many people in Brisbane and beyond, that dedicated group of 4KQ personalities and their support group, who have given their lives and energy, sharing their passion with the people of Brisbane for such a long time, are the stabilising backdrop of my life.
Losing that is devastating.
I couldn’t imagine how any company could think that 24/7 sports could possibly be shoved at 4KQ followers and expect that to work.
I couldn’t imagine anything worse.
If you want to immerse your life into sports from the couch, there are many opportunities already. Sport presents the worst role models for the men of our society, resulting in out of control behaviour in families and in our society as a whole. Beer swilling, disgusting jokes of the coarsest nature, aired on free to air TV by presenters, unshaven, casually dressed, with the basest behaviour, leaves me sickened.
Gary Clare has often referred to the lack of acknowledgment for their efforts by the “boss”. I just hope that each of these amazing people can find fulfilment in alternative positions where their passion and skills are recognised and rewarded.
Retaining the whole 4 KQ as a team, is a no-brainer as to break them up is like ripping their family apart as well.
And for us, as the listeners, we are left stunned, with a massive void in our lives. And I am sure that I for one, will have to throw out my radio as the tuning dial has been glued to 693 for so long.
If the whole 4KQ team is grabbed by 4BH, I would make the switch in a heartbeat, but I will tune to 4KQ till 30th June.
The team must go out with the highest ratings. I am surprised that no entrepreneur had the insight in the first place to purchase the station, when 4KQ was initially let go by ARN!
SEN were just looking for a radio dial spot to extend their network, but if they thought they would retain the Brisbane listeners in the “deal”, they might as well given me their $12mill.
They have made a poor financial move.

Neville
22 May 2022 - 8:49 pm

Great to see this format to keep going have listened to 4 kq for the last twenty years

Aussiecam58
23 May 2022 - 3:46 pm

The trouble for 4BH is that it has so many name changes and formats over the years they have lost the momentum of the likes of 4KQ. If they change they need to stay this way for a long time to build up the listener trust.

Alan
24 May 2022 - 11:19 am

ACE better not screw this up. A chance like this comes along never – 4KQ has a huge and loyal following built up over decades to become probably the most successful AM (DAB) music station in the world.

As others have pointed out they need to basically copy 4KQ with 4BH in every respect. Bring across the talent in both presenters and music programmers, and most importantly of all PROMOTE the hell out of it so 4KQ listeners know it’s there! Especially at the critical moment when 4KQ ceases to exist.

I lot of my friends are avid listeners. They are not radio types at all but are all devasted at the loss of 4KQ. They bring it up without me even mentioning it. They are really, REALLY unhappy about it.

This is a station that rates 10% in the 3rd biggest city in Australia – this isn’t a 3MP or even a 2CH. What a joke that it’s come to this and what an epic failure of regulation by the ACMA!!

Neil
24 May 2022 - 6:51 pm

ACE are only the babysitters of this station (4BH). The Nine Network own it and hold the purse strings. I may be wrong, but I can’t see them investing money in an AM music station in these times. The best you may get is what they have now ….a slight tweaking of the easy format to classic hits but still networked. Good luck.

JASON
24 May 2022 - 7:08 pm

MY CONTACT FROM ACE RADIO NETWORK AGATHA I EMALED HER TO ADVISE MARK TAYLOR TO SIGN EVERYIONE FROM 4KQ TO 4BH AND HENCE THE RERPLY TO MY EMAIL WAS “ADVISE NOTED WITH THANKS”. LAUREL, GARY AND MARK COULD WELL BE SNAPPED UP BY ACE RADIO TO DO BREAKFAST ON 4BH

John
25 May 2022 - 6:29 pm

Readers in the comments section asking the question that the author of the article didn’t? Or if she did ask the question what was the response? Will the KQ breakfast team end up there? Why only do half the work!

    Editor
    26 May 2022 - 8:19 pm

    No answer to that yet.

Tom
1 Jun 2022 - 12:29 pm

It’s really disappointing the way SEN has to take over iconic music stations like 4KQ. The station has been an iconic station for years in Queensland, to see it gone is so sad. They did it to 2CH now to 4KQ.

Good on ACE Radio for taking it in their own hands.

Marcia Ariel
14 Jun 2022 - 10:58 am

I hope they follow the format of 693 to the letter. No if’s buts or maybes. And bring across the breakfast team. They are the BEST breakfast team in Qld if not Australia!

Graham Thouard
15 Jun 2022 - 9:01 pm

Change your format to include music from the 1950s also.
Thanks
Graham Thouard (ex 4KQ listener)

Ron Watt
17 Jun 2022 - 7:25 pm

4BH is available on DAB+ digital radio, I only listen to digital radio at home these days

Karen
18 Jun 2022 - 1:19 pm

Bring the breakfast radio team across and I’ll listen to 4BH.

Arthur Black
18 Jun 2022 - 2:06 pm

After hearing that 4BH had become “easy listening” I switched over for a listen and my worst fears were realised. The music was unlistenable! And I’m a 68-year-old!! When we think about it, the number of times 4BH has gone under coincides with the number of times they’ve adopted the nursing home music format.
Take full advantage of this golden opportunity to become the new 4KQ . . before some other station beats you to it. If you don’t I’ll never listen to radio again. I’ve got hundreds of gigabytes of music and a digital radio with a USB port. I’ll just listen to what I want when I want and radio in general can kiss this old dude goodbye.
But I’d rather listen to a radio station that plays more or less what I like and get surprised by what the next song’s gonna be.
Jukebox Saturday Night? Yeah definitely do that, but not with Dave D. Whitcomb. His time has come. I for one have had a gutfull of the novelty songs he seemed to like inflicting on his listeners.
Arthur Black

Toni
20 Jun 2022 - 11:08 am

I’m disappointed with this change.
I stopped listening to 4kq years ago because of the stupidity of the 3 stoogers. The eternal self centred conversations…yawn…..
And the never ending songs from those 4 talentless pommies and the beach bums…..please, give me a break….
I was thoroughly enjoying the previous 4bh music…I’ll be finding another station now, hopefully that play a lot of 70’s music….if any such station exists…

LynE
20 Jun 2022 - 1:43 pm

So hope this is where Laurel, Gary & Mark end up!

Sarina
21 Jun 2022 - 10:52 am

I can not believe how any company would think that 24/7 sports could possibly ask 4KQ followers to listen and expect that to work.
that is the worst decision ever. I have been a 4KQ listener for over 20 years, so forget it 4KQ you have lost me as a listener. I hope the Breakfast gang and everyone of the wonderful people there are moving to 4BH, for all the classic hits we all love.

Kerry
22 Jun 2022 - 7:25 am

24 hr sport will not succeed in Brisbane because of the loyalty of KQ listeners. The heart has been torn out if it. Bad luck SEN a very poor business decision based on kicking the listeners wishes off air as I will transition back to 4BH now that you have ditched sport .
I do listen to ABC for game day sport and watch plenty on tv.

Adele Bell
24 Jun 2022 - 2:17 pm

I have switched to 4BH and listened all week! Great format! Love the music and am looking forward to Saturday Night Juke Box to see how it compares to Dave D Wickham. I can only hope it is as good. I have listened to 4KQ (and no other station) since coming to Brisbane 20 + years ago. I have now switched my allegiance to 4BH. Thank you.

Gary Thacker
24 Jun 2022 - 6:48 pm

If you implement the format of 4KQ then you can’t go wrong. Bring on the 60’s, 70’s and80’s, and we will come across. 4KQ was always my station. Go for it 4BH. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. This is your watershed moment 4BH.

Jayme Doran
24 Jun 2022 - 7:46 pm

Jonesy & Amanda’s JAM Nation Highlights show will move to 4BH from July 11, running it at the same time 4KQ aired it at 6:00pm according to the promo aired tonight on 4BH.

Greg
26 Jun 2022 - 9:28 am

If. L.G .M comes to breakfast I will move to another station . There so-called entertainment is about as much as watching a crocodile sitting on edge a swamp.

Ken Hayes
26 Jun 2022 - 2:03 pm

I thought 4BH had gone to sport so it will probably no different with 4KQ. 4BH used to be the leader in music: Bill Gates, Dal Myles, John Kerr etc.

Bring ’em back – some of them, if not all, must be alive

Just as long as they don’t have the worst of seventies music at lunchtime, as 4KQ did.

Stewart James
27 Jun 2022 - 12:11 pm

“We have identical coverage and a well maintained transmission site. We’re very happy with the coverage.” Not exactly true, 5kW vs 10kW day. Also the much lower frequency of a night time provided much better distance coverage. Ask night driving Truckies.

Ros
27 Jun 2022 - 5:15 pm

Hope they bring in the same morning crew. Loved Laurel, Gary and Mark.
Even remember Laurel being away to have her beautiful children.
It was like turning on a family get together every morning.

David Race
29 Jun 2022 - 12:08 am

I will definitely listen to 4BH if they have the same format as 4kq and please bring Laurel Handy Gary and Mark and those great 4kq Djs.
Give Brisbane its life back .

Bob Harper
30 Jun 2022 - 8:39 am

I am pleased to hear that Brent James in particular will continue his brilliant 60s Hits series on 4BH, my NEW station as of midnight tonight, or when I turn the radio on tomorrow and tune it to 1116kHz! I may need to do more than that as 693kHz barely makes it here at times!
In particular I thank Brent for his support of the song “N0 Roses for Michael” the theme song of a 1070’s black and white doco about a local Ipswich boy who passed away doing drugs in Sydney. His name was Michael. To the best of my knowledge and advice, Brent is the only radio personality who plays that song in Australia, or anywhere presumably! Thanks Brent, Thanks for the memories! I am so pleased they are to continue!

B. Stevenson
30 Jun 2022 - 7:28 pm

4kq – great set & forget station all day every day for the past 42 years for me personally.
The new station – set a limit & make sure you listen responsibly. What a joke.
4bh hopefully responds to SE Queenslands plight. There’s gold in them thar radio frequencies.

Stephen Hinkley
30 Jun 2022 - 7:42 pm

Hire Laurel Gary and Mark as your breakfast crew. They will make your station………

Charlene
30 Jun 2022 - 9:27 pm

Thank you so much 4BH. Looking forward to changing over to you from tomorrow. I so hope 4KQ Breakfast team over too

Linda Wood
1 Jul 2022 - 9:53 am

So pleased 4BH is playing easy listening music ,in place of 693.
Look forward to many hours of great songs and getting to know all the announcers on Air.

Annette Beaumont
1 Jul 2022 - 9:57 am

I’m absolutely devastated that 4KQ no longer exists in its old format… it’s like a death in the family. My dilemma is what radio station now

John
1 Jul 2022 - 12:11 pm

You’ve got me. I just heard Spencer Davis. 4BH, you are heading in the right direction.

Nick
1 Jul 2022 - 3:01 pm

Sad to see 4KQ change its format. I work in a bookshop and when we tuned to their ‘supposed sister station’ 97.3 both staff and customers did not like what we heard. After googling we found that 4BH had changed their format to classic hits and we soon had our smiles back on our faces as we heard the music playing. Keep it up. Can you please play my favourite Baby Blue- Graham Bonnet

Mal
2 Jul 2022 - 4:42 pm

Goodbye to 4KQ693 sadly missed , goodbye to 693SEN. Could not see myself listening to has-beens talking sport! Gone to the new home of Classic Hits 4BH116

Neil Cotter
2 Jul 2022 - 5:45 pm

Thank you 4bh it seems like nothing has changed

Steven Mercer
2 Jul 2022 - 7:24 pm

Jukebox Saturday night is usually 50s and 60s with information about the song – could this be considered in the future for 4BH. Thank you

Peter Williams
3 Jul 2022 - 10:00 am

Just got a new listener, just listening to your first Sunday morning sixties, 4kq’s loss is your gain, go for it.

Les
3 Jul 2022 - 2:53 pm

You got me as long as the music is good, where you can hear the singer not being drowned out by electronic crap…..

William Smith
6 Jul 2022 - 9:46 pm

I would love to hear a fair balance of ELVIS PRESLEY`S music, 4KQ actually phased him out of their playlist and since they went off the air then I found 4BH and have not heard one Elvis song so can we please have a fair balance of ELVIS`S music. Thanks.

Douglas sims
9 Jul 2022 - 2:07 pm

Come home from couple of months away and was heartbroken to lose our 4kq just did some research and moved to 4bh. Seems we (the older set) we’re just completely forgotten about.

Julie
11 Jul 2022 - 1:30 pm

Grew up listening to 4KQ but now the new flavour of the times is 4BH radio love this music,all day from 6am on. Miss the other terribly , the old songs tell a story of love sadness, happiness and peoples names which brightens up the day as other stations too much talking and songs that are cried or rude or hard to hear what they’re singing about.
Congrats and keep up the great music and you’ll get more listeners once they find out what your playing .

Michael Madden
16 Jul 2022 - 10:15 am

Thank you for reverting back to easy listing music I started listing 40 years ago and was disappointed when you changed format a while back, but now I have 4BH back all my radios.
Thank You Thank You.

Megan
20 Jul 2022 - 11:49 am

Thanku 4bh you have saved radio stations all round you have the best music by far I run a laundromat and I get none stop comments of how great this station is less talk more music love love love you

Ann
26 Jul 2022 - 2:00 pm

So miss Laurel, Gary and Mark on weekday mornings.
Bad move 4KQ absolute rubbish being broadcasted since the recent change.

robert
8 Jan 2023 - 4:08 pm

4bh should bring back greg victor richard perno and judy bourke who made the station popular in the late 90s. Rob

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