In 2025 four games of hide and seek have been played on radio in the capital cities of Australia.

In February, Robin, Kip and Corey‘s Hide and Seek for KIIS 97.3 saw Michael from Stafford claim the $20,000 just minutes ahead of Monatu from Wynnum.

In April, KIIS 106.5 and 101.1’s Kyle & Jackie O’s $5 Million Dawn Dig earned stay-at-home mum Alisha from Mernda Victoria a new car.

In June, Charles from Ormond won $94,000 in Nova 100’s Hide & Seek tracking down Jase, Lauren and Clint Stanaway to a fake caravan business they were hiding in. This was the second edition of this comp.

And currently Stav from Brisbane B105‘s breakfast team of Stav, Abby and Matt is missing (see main image)

But strangely, Brisbane’s Courier Mail (subscription required) have accused B105 of stealing the idea from KIIS97.3.

This feels a little like the caramel slice incident earlier this year where Australian cook Nagi Maehashi accused Brooki Bakehouse owner Brooke Bellamy of plagiarising her recipe for the sweet treat.

Hide and Seek has been around for centuries and can be played with people and objects. Film, television and radio have used the thrill of the chase and finders keepers fun since the formats began.

In defence of B105, Stav’s absence has played out in an interesting and different way. There is no declared ‘prize’ for finding Stav. And Abby and Matt apparently weren’t aware he was going to be missing until the morning he didn’t show up for work. As as result, the places he might be run from the serious to the ridiculously far fetched and everything in between.

Poor Stav is bearing the brunt of not being quite as missed as he was hoping and his on air colleagues using the time apart to hack into his life, car and bedside table, which is quite different to other versions played this year.

And the audience are having fun with no obligation.

I listened to two podcasts from the show to find out more, which is the kind of cumulative engagement that yields results next radio survey. Stav has been dreadful with clues and any real hiding ability so I’m looking forward to when and where and even why, he’s eventually found.

Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo.