2014’s Programming Musical Chairs

Everyone knows about the programming “Musical Chairs” that goes on annually at this time. Stations sort out their line ups for the new ratings year, some people get dropped, some move, some relocate to other stations – but talking to those who know, it seems like there has never been a time quite like this for change and movement – particularly in Australia’s biggest radio market, Sydney.

Sydney

• ABC 702’s Adam Spencer has left his Breakfast show with the ratings in great shape. Robbie Buck has the job of keeping them there in 2014.

• Plenty of goings at 2UE – and the comings have now been confirmed.
Jason Morrison and Paul Murray have departed the struggling Fairfax Sydney station, as has executive producer Sophie Onikul and Promotions and Marketing Director Trevor Farrugia. The new line up for 2014 has thrown up a few unexpected names. Breakfast will be the ever solid John Stanley teaming up with the untried on radio, Garry Linnell. Mornings will be presented by Angela Catterns. Stuart Bocking will take over Your Business Day from Stanley, Dicko and Sarah move from breakfast to Afternoons and Justin Smith will be presenting the Drive show. Fairfax have also started their Summer Cricket coverage earlier than expected to try to capitalise on the Ashes success of the Aussie team.

• Kyle & Jackie O have left 2day Fm – and will be heard next year as the headliners on ARN’s rebranded Kiis Fm (formerly Mix 106.5).
The new 2day Breakfast show has been announced as Merrick Watts, Sophie Monk, Jules Lund and Mel B. Rock throwing has already started, with Merrick taking a big swipe at Kyle last week.  Derek Bargwanna, also formerly with 2day, has been appointed the new Content Director for Kiis Fm.

• The Triple M network Merrick & the Highway Patrol Drive show is gone, replaced with a new show featuring Matt Tilley (former Fox Fm breakfast icon) and newspaper come TV funny guy, Joe Hildebrand.

• With the rebrand to Kiis, plenty of movement at ARN Sydney. Sami Lukis and Yumi Stynes have left to make way for Kyle & Jackie, Former breakfast anchor, Simon Baggs, will present a new 
Mornings/Afternoons 6 hour show. There will be a networked hour of Chrissie Swann and Jane Hall from 3 till 4, then Rosso is back with the Sydney/Melbourne Drive show and nights will be the networked
Ryan Seacrest program.

• Some changes on WSFM as well. Jason Stavely comes in to host Afternoons. Lars Peterson moves from Mix to take over Drive and likewise, Richard “The Love God” Mercer will move his nights show from Mix to WSFM.

• Tom Ballard has left the triple j breakfast show. His place has been taken by Matt Okine. Alex Dyson remains on the program.

Melbourne:

• Matt Tilley & Jo Stanley have left their long time Fox Fm gig. The breakfast show is being taken over by Fifi Box, who moves from the network Drive show along with stand up Dave Thornton.

• Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek have finished on breakfast on NOVA 100. As previously reported, Tommy Little and Meshel Laurie are the new show hosts.

Brisbane:
 
• Virtually a total change of line up at the Fairfax Brisbane station for 2014. Breakfast co-host Mary Collier recently announced that she too will not be returning next year. So the new line up will be Ian Skippen and Loretta Ryan (ex 4BC Afternoons) on breakfast, Channel 7’s Patrick Condren in to Mornings and Drive will be taken on by another Channel 7 name Ben Davis.

• Big changes at 4BH as well, with the station set to be re-branded as Magic 882 in the new year. Moyd Kay will move from 4BC to Magic breakfast, Ian Keenan comes across from ARN’s 4KQ to Magic Mornings and Greg Victor will take over the Drive show. 4BH Content Director Geoff Harrison has been made redundant.

• The replacement for Pete Curulli on B105 afternoons in Brisbane is Lindsay Ellis, ex 104.7 Canberra

Adelaide:

• Keith Conlon has retired from the FIVEaa Breakfast show. The new breakfast team is current host Jane Reilly joined by ex newspaper journalist and editor David Penberthy and former Mix 102.3 breakfast host, Mark Aiston.

Perth:

• Lisa, Paul & Baz have left breakfast on 92.9
New breakfast show is Heidi, Will & Woody.

Plenty of changes at Fairfax Radio in Perth, with Basil Zempilas (ex 92.9 breakfast) joining Steve Mills on 6PR breakfast. (The Perth) Paul Murray is moves from Mornings to Drive – replacing the sacked Howard Sattler, leaving Gary Adshead to take over the 6PR Morning Show.

• On MIX 94.5, The Bunch Breakfast show has been replaced with Clairsy Shane & Kymba. Lisa Shaw & Fred Botica will be the MIX 94.5 Drive show in 2014.

Canberra

• Mike Welsh left 2CC Drive due to disagreement with management. His place has been taken by former 2GB presenter, Luke Bona.

• Carla (Biggzy) Bignasca has left the MIX 106.3 Breakfast program to follow husband Matty White to Newcastle.  Former Canberra FM News Director Kristen Henry will return to MIX 106.3’s new breakfast show in January. Mark Wiggett has been appointed Content Director at Mix 106.3 and 104.7 Canberra. He will move from West Australia, where he is currently Content Director at Hot FM and RadioWest

• 666 ABC Breakfast host Ross Solly, has left the station to move to Bangkok with his wife ABC correspondent Samantha Hawley. The new host of the program is Philip Clarke.

Newcastle

• NEW FM has fine tuned it’s breakfast show, with former NXFM-er Kim Bauer now joining Steve St John and Melanie “Sarge” Sargeant. Kim replaces Sarah Levett.

* The long running KOFM David & Tanya breakfast show on KO FM has broken up. Tanya Wilks will stay on breakfast while David Collins takes up another role within the station. Tanya’s new co-host is former NXFM breakfast man, Steve Graham.