In an impassioned plea, Austereo CEO Guy Dobson has sent emails encouraging his contacts to Save Barry. “Barrys built Australia. But today, in a world of Jaydens, Connors and Elijahs, the name Barry is at risk of extinction,” writes Dobson. Barry is Austereo’s soon to be launched newest digital radio station. It will go to air next week.
Dobson’s message reads:
“Join me in the movement to Save Barry – the greatest Australian name ever. See which celebrity has already sent a heartfelt video message and register your support at savebarry.com.au
I urge you in the strongest terms to forward this plea to your friends and family because together, we can Save Barry.
Fondest regards,
Guy Dobson”
Barry will combine the best of Austereo comedy content which will include the best comedy bits from Hamish & Andy plus Triple M’s Roy and HG. Also on air will be interviews with comedians from the Today and Triple M Networks, plus first-run content from new talent. The station is targeting listeners that are attracted to the random nature of a station that delivers funny, slightly left-of-centre content.
Celebrities including Russell Brand, Radha Mitchell, Joel Edgerton, Tim Ross and Wil Anderson have already pledged their support to save Barry.
Austereo’s Head of Digital Strategy Jeremy Macvean is proud of the company’s continued commitment to digital radio with another new station launch:
“Austereo’s roots are in entertainment and the company prides itself on its stable of on air comedic talent and content. With Barry we’re launching a new channel that showcases the humour of talent on the Today and Triple M Networks, plus overseas and undiscovered comedians. Barry is a great, fun brand to be a part of. People love a laugh and Barry will deliver it.”
Triple M Melbourne’s Peanut Gallery (Jeff Wortman and Paul Hogan) and Triple M Sydney’s Running of the Bullshit (Brad Pace and Santi Pintado) will be among the new shows to have their content featured on Barry.
Penut Gallery’s Jeff Wortman says: “Barry is just wall to wall laughs without those things that often get in the way of comedy like traffic reports, talkback and Daryl Somers. We are building whole new stations! There is even talk of the Drain Man and Frank Walker teaming up to host a new breakfast show. We haven’t been this excited since the Commodore 64 went from the paddle to the joystick.”
Barry will be promoted nationally on the Today and Triple M Networks. Triple M (including 94.5 Perth) will run a weekly national show called Barry, which will air Thursday’s from 10pm starting on July 22.
Russell Brand has added a video plea to save Barry to the facebook site. Other famous Barrys, such as Hall, Crocker, Gibb and Humpheries will also add support to the campaign. The Facebook page for Save Barry explains that you can listen to Barry, the new Digital Radio station from Friday July 16. The page also gives helpful hints such as “For as little $29.95 you could change your name by deed poll to Barry.”
Listeners outside digital radio cities will also be able to listen to Barry at www.barry.com.au and on the new Barry iphone app after they are launched on July 16.
The station will be a rival for the other full time comedy station on digital radio in Sydney called The Crack, which is operated from the Macquarie Radio Network studios, although the Crack features mostly classic longer form comedy with a British flavour,w hcih will differentiate Crack from Barry.