2UE morning presenter Steve Price has not renewed his contract and will finish up at the end of this week. He confirmed on air that 2UE did not come to the party with the salary he wanted. “It became obvious we could not get together… who knows where I’ll bob up in the future,” he told listeners on the program today.

Price had been at 2UE for 8 years and with Southern Cross Broadcasting (now Fairfax Media) for 22 years, first at 3AW Melbourne and then at 2UE. He was program director and drive presenter at 3AW, then presented breakfast and drive at 2UE before moving to mornings when John Laws retired two years ago. His morning program is syndicated to 32 stations in regional NSW.

Price says he feels that “now is the right time to explore new opportunities and ideas that I plan to develop across various media.”

There is speculation that he might move back to Melbourne to be part of a new talk format as John Singleton’s Macquarie Radio Network attempts to make a move into that city through 3AK and SEN.

A statement issued by Price says: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in both Melbourne and Sydney and the fantastic people I’ve not only worked with, but importantly conversed with, on a daily basis on the phone and in the studio.”

2UE general manager Tim McDermott, who recently told radioinfo, “we need to cut costs dramatically,” wished Price well for his future:

“We respect Steve’s decision to seek new challenges in his career and wish him all the best. We’re also excited about the fresh new line-up we will have in place for 2010.”

McDermott, who has been working on a contingency plan in case contract negotiations were unsuccessful, is expected to announce Price’s replacement this Friday.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, in a neat piece of timing, Macquarie Radio Network has today announced an agreement with Pacific Star Network, the owner of Melbourne stations SEN and 3MP, which “contemplates the formation of a joint venture for the production and supply of radio programming in the Melbourne market.”