Neil Mitchell finished up as 3AW Mornings host on December 1. He has occupied the 8.30am to midday timeslot on the Melbourne talkback station since 1990. He had a final message to his listeners and everyone who has been involved in his career. “It is genuinely a privilege,” he said.
Michael McLaren has been confirmed as the new host of 2GB Afternoons, commencing in January 2024. McLaren started his radio career at 2GB in 2006 as a program producer. His on-air career kicked off in 2011, first hosting 2GB’s Weekend Overnight program before taking on Australia Overnights Monday-Friday in 2016. In 2023, he fronted 2GB’s number one rating Weekend Mornings program.
The Daily Telegraph reports that ABC Radio Sydney has made major changes to its line-up, with big names set to depart their posts next year. James Valentine is out of the prime time breakfast slot with The Chaser’s Craig Reucassel to replace him in a bid to stop haemorrhaging ratings.
Quarterly podcast digital audio advertising spend is up 19.2% compared to the same period last year, according to the September IAB Australia’s Online Advertising Expenditure Report (OAER), prepared by PwC.
Melbourne radio station RSN 927 has announced: “It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Father Gerard Dowling. He’s been a cornerstone of broadcasting in Melbourne for 50 years and has been heard on racing radio all that time. Father Dowling started hosting the Family Counsellor program on 3UZ in 1973.” Dowling turned 91 in 2023.
Spencer Howson, 4BC Brisbane weekend presenter, has announced he will be leaving the talk station at the end of this year. Spencer relaunched local weekends on 4BC at the start of 2021 and for the last 3 years and has been heard from 9am each Saturday and Sunday.
Regular listeners will notice something missing from radio broadcasts, ABC Radio Sydney has turned off the pips, the series of beeps that played at the end of the hour, usually followed by the familiar sound of the news theme. The final pips were played on Thursday November 24. Once used by listeners to set their watches, the six short tones have been deemed unnecessary in the age of digital radio and smart phones.
In the latest GfK radio survey for Newcastle, 102.9 Triple M was the top rating station with a share of 20.3% (-2.1). They were followed by Hit 106.9 with 15.4% (+1.5). Next came 105.3 NewFM with 11.4% (+1.4). Triple M rated No 1 in breakfast, morning, afternoon and drive.
Melbourne radio star Lauren Phillips has revealed the brutal way her show was axed so Kyle and Jackie O could sign their massive new deal. Jason Hawkins and Lauren Phillips – who co-host KIIS FM’s breakfast show Jase & Lauren – are collateral damage in a monster $200 million contract offered to Sandilands and Henderson, which will see the Sydney duo remain with the ARN for another 11 years and expand their show into Melbourne for the first time from next year. (Story courtesy of Lexi Cartwright news.com.au)
It’s 8pm on November 23, 1923. A button is pushed, the red light comes on, and radio begins in Australia. Radio station 2SB is on the air and, on that first night, a few hundred listeners tune in to hear some “light orchestral” music. Over the next 100 years, the station, which was renamed to 2BL, then 702, and now ABC Radio Sydney, would transform its programming from serious “talks”, bible readings, and unidentified presenters to today’s more dynamic style that puts listeners at the heart of the conversation. (Story courtesy of ABC Radio. By Rod Quinn and Rosemary Bolger)
The commercial radio industry is calling on Federal politicians to protect it from an unfair fee hike proposed by multinational record companies, as the industry already pays around $40 million a year in fees and any increase would threaten the sustainability of local stations. Commercial radio stations currently pay fees to the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and to the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) to play music. The PPCA fee is capped to ensure record labels do not overcharge radio stations for the legislated quota of Australian music they are obligated to play.
Longtime ABC Adelaide presenters Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller have been named as the station’s new early morning duo, starting next year. The announcement came after Lee told ABC management of her decision to move across to host FIVEaa’s vacant afternoons shift.
ABC Radio Perth has dropped breakfast host Stan Shaw less than a year after putting him into the morning hot seat. Shaw, who was hired to boost the slot in January, revealed the shock news himself less than 11 months in the job, sharing his contract had not been renewed.