4HI is an classic hits-formatted radio station in Emerald, Queensland on the AM band.
Ownership
4HI is owned and operated by Resonate Broadcasting. The station was previous owned by Macquarie Regional Radio until October 2015, following its acquisition of the Smart Radio Group in 2011. Resonate Broadcasting acquired the Macquarie Regional Radio stations in October 2015. Macquarie Radio Network was forced to sell its regional stations, including 4HI, to comply with ACMA legislation following the merger between the Macquarie Radio Network and Fairfax Media in 2014. Macquarie Radio Network had owned the station since August 2011 after the company acquired the Smart Radio Group at a cost of $6 million.
Broadcast area
4HI broadcasts to the greater Central Highland and Coalfields area of Queensland on a total of eleven transmitters, serving various local communities and coal mines in the region.
The station's main three AM transmitters are located in Emerald, Dysart and Moranbah, while the less powerful FM repeaters are located at Clermont, Rolleston, Sojitz Minerva Mine, BMA Blackwater Mine, Blair Athol Mine, Peak Downs Mine, Goonyella North Mine and Goonyella Riverside Mine.
1980s, The beginnings of 4HI
The station format during its early years was based on hits and memories, with Program Director and Music Director Michael J Bailey. General Manager was 'Father' Foley (John Foley). Sales manager was Glen Elms. Reception was leanne Foley. The studio was on Hospital Road in Emerald.
Music was on vinyl, commercials were on a cart rack behind the announcer, and the panel was an old 2SM console, with rotating bakelite knobs for volume control.
The on-air line-up in the beginning, consisted of:
Time | Show name |
---|---|
6:00 am – 9:00 am | Michael J Bailey |
9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Peter Rossberg |
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | John 'Waldo' Wall |
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Brad Long |
6:00 pm – Midnight | Neil Johnson/David Mackay |
On Saturday mornings the station featured a 'buy, swap and sell' program where listeners would buy, swap or sell their personal items on the radio.
On Saturday afternoons, along with playing a hits format, announcers co-ordinated 3-state racing on-air along with local racing from race courses such as Clermont. Races were aired, totes were given by the announcer, and then the music format resumed until the next race was ready to be broadcast.
At midnight, the station closed down, and then restarted at 6am the following morning.
The next wave of announcers to join the station in 1982/83 included Ric Hose, Alf Smerdon, Chris Elliott.
Today
Over the years, and the introduction of intense networking, 4HI became a one-announcer station. Today it only broadcasts a limited amount of weekday programming from the station's Emerald studio, including a three-hour breakfast show, hosted by Joel Reinke, and an hour-long lunchtime program. There is also sports-themed local programming on 4HI each Saturday morning.
The station relies heavily on nationally syndicated programming from 2GB in Sydney, such as the Ray Hadley Morning Show, the Bed Fordham highlights program and the Continuous Call Team.
4HI also airs a networked drive program each weekday afternoon from 3 pm which is broadcast across the Resonate Broadcasting network.
Weekday program guide
Time Slot | Program Name |
---|---|
6 am to 9 am | The Brekky Show |
9 am to 11 am | The Ray Hadley Morning Show |
11 am to 12 pm | The Best of the Alan Jones Show |
12 pm to 1 pm | The 4HI Lunchbox Live and Rural News |
1 pm to 3 pm | The Chris Smith Afternoon Show |
3 pm to 6 pm | Drive |
6 pm to 8 pm | Money Matters with Ross Greenwood |
12 am to 5 am | Miners Overnight |
Saturday program guide
Time Slot | Program Name |
---|---|
12 am to 5 am | Miners Overnight Weekends with James |
6 am to 11 am | The Saturday Breakfast Show with Cameron Stallard |
11 am to 12 pm | The Racing Show |
12 pm to 10 pm | The Continuous Call Team |
Sunday program guide
Time Slot | Program Name |
---|---|
9 am to 11 am | My Generation with Jonesy and Amanda |
12 pm to 6 pm | The Continuous Call Team |