The Edge 96.1 dumps breakfast team to pursue new format

Changes are planned at ARN’s Sydney ‘regional’ station The Edge, which will see breakfast pair Phil and Jo finishing this week to make way for a significant format shift.

While the station is not revealing its new format yet, there is speculation that ARN may use the synergies created with the new ‘Cruise’ (formerly 5DN) easy listening format in Adelaide to position the station in the older demographic. Although some radio sources are saying this is a red herring to put competitors off the scent of what is really planned. Another possibility is also that it will go more youth focused with an urban and hip hop format.

The Edge is not officially a Sydney station, although it is heard in much of the now sprawling city of Sydney. It was originally licenced as 2KA Katoomba, when Katoomba was considered country. ARN is officially obliged by its licence conditions to maintain a focus on its service area and not compete with Sydney stations.

The Phil & Jo Show will finish on The Edge on December 2 to make way for the “new sound for the station, to be launched on January 1.”

Phil Brandel has told Radioinfo: “We had been told some time ago that our contract was not to be renewed at the end of the year but this had nothing to do with our performance through the year. In fact ratings were up because it was a good product and we both really enjoyed doing it. The point was the station was planning on going in a new direction and wasn’t able to include us.”

Brandel will continue to pursue a career in radio and will work casually on WS over the holidays.

Jo Abi plans to take some time out from radio to concentrate on the release of her first book in which she gives advice about how to date a man with children. Ryan Phelan, Cleo Bachelor of the Year and Sports Reporter for Channel 10 contributes to the book. It will be released in August 2006 through Lothian Books.