City Ipswich, Queensland Branding River 94.9 | Broadcast area Ipswich RA1 ([1]) Frequency 94.9 MHz FM | |
Slogan The Biggest Variety of Hits First air date 20 February 1990 (1990-02-20) | ||
River 94.9 (callsign: 4MIX) is a commercial radio station, that broadcasts to South-East Queensland. The station opened in February 1990, and was formerly known as Star 106.9, which used to operate on the frequency now occupied by Nova 106.9. The station was previously owned by Rural Press & Bundaberg Broadcasters, forming part of the Star Broadcasting Network.
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As QFM
From launch until 2001, QFM broadcast contemporary hit music format.
As Star 106.9
In 1997, QFM rebranded as Star 106.9, dropping a CHR format for a classic hits format.
Prior to the switch to 94.9, Star's callsign was changed from 4QFM to 4MIX, supposedly to block Australian Radio Network station 97.3fm from using the Mix positioner used by its sister stations.
As River 94.9
In 2001, Star FM upgraded their transmitter and moved to 94.9 MHz in order to better broadcast into Brisbane, avoiding interference of two other very strong signals - ABC Classic FM on 106.1 and triple j on 107.7. The move to 94.9 eliminated that problem, and, on the flipside, means the station has equal to better reach than the Brisbane radio stations towards the west and Toowoomba, with a large volume of advertisements for companies and stores in those regions. As part of the change, the station took on an adult contemporary format.'Wild Nights', a dance music format licensed from Central Station Records based on community radio station Wild FM was added to the late night programming from the end of January 2001.
Despite broadcasting into the Brisbane area, the station is not officially counted in Brisbane ratings surveys, despite protests from management.
In 2008, River 94.9 was the official broadcaster for South-East Queensland, of the Macquarie Radio Network's Olympic Radio Coverage. It was sold in May of that year to Grant Broadcasters by owners Fairfax Media, due to diversity rules controlled by Australian Communications and Media Authority, which prevents more than 2 licences overlapping into a market owned by the same group.
River 94.9 simulcasts Nine News Brisbane at 6:00 pm every Sunday to Friday.