Radio and television have become much more relaxed about exclusivity.

While watching a 10 Play catch up episode of Masterchef, there was Tony Armstrong advertising the ABC News app. Amanda Keller was allowed to leave her WSFM breakfast show she co-hosts with Brendan Jonesy Jonesy, during survey, to head to Africa with Dr Chris Brown and Channel 7. Hamish Blake hosted SBS‘s mega hit Alone Australia‘s reunion. Now, Ben Cousins has a lengthy chat with ARN’s KIIS 101.1’s Kyle and Jackie O post his elimination from Network 10‘s Dancing with the Stars.

Tony Armstrong and ABC News on 10 Play

There are a couple of reasons why I mention this. Firstly because Cousins joined rival network SCA’s Pete & Kymba Breakfast Show on Mix94.5 Perth in an exclusive radio deal for 2024. It was only for appearances on a Wednesday, or Bensday as they call it. The station last night had a Dancing with the Stars Finals Party featuring Ben and his dance partner Siobhan dancing live (pictured below).

His appearance on Kyle and Jackie O is an interesting one too. Kyle stated before the show launched that he didn’t care for AFL and wasn’t going to use Melbourne’s football code to gain listeners there. While Cousins no longer plays and probably largely transcend the game now in terms of his media attention, I did note that only KIIS 101.1 promoted the interview (main picture) on their socials.

At the very start of today’s show while the Kyle and Jackie O are catching up on each other’s weekends Jackie mentions that she attended the Collingwood vs Sydney Swans game on Friday night. Kyle’s response was quite funny, showing that he’s still not at all into AFL, and throwing Jackie under the bus about her interest too.

Ben’s interview, which is honest and powerful, is below.