The ABC has hired Cherie Romaro to provide external advice on how to improve programming at the national broadcaster.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald Romaro will provide advice following the recent fall in audiences that have seen ABC Radio and ABC Radio Melbourne suffer dramatic audience losses in recent GfK Surveys.

In Survey 1 this year, all ABC metro stations recorded a drop in audience with their respective breakfast and drive programs also dropping in both share and cumes.

Working with an internal advisory group, Romaro told the SMH that the process is not a cost cutting exercise, “It is a challenge given the choice and crowded audio offerings audiences can access at their fingertips.

“My involvement is to give an external perspective and provide added value to be able to assess the entire audio offering nationally and define where ABC Radio can grow their audiences and re-connect with listeners who have left us.”

The review is expected to be incorporated into the next five-year plan for the ABC.

Romaro is well credentialed to assist the ABC with a career that included positions as the first female music director at 2SM and more recently general manager at 2CH.

She was the inaugural content director for Triple M Sydney and 2Day FM, and after a stint overseas, she returned to Australia to launch MIX and Gold FM.