Could Kyle be looking to secure his future beyond KIIS?
Some time ago, MacRadio’s major shareholder, John Singleton, told Kyle Sandilands that if he ever wanted to make the move to 2GB, he’d accomodate him.
So, last Friday he paid visit to Ben Fordham’s Drive show, ostensibly to talk about a charity fundraiser he’ll be hosting on Thursday October 18 for the Zambi Wildlife Retreat, an organisation which fosters unwanted or retired cats like tigers and lions.
But once the conversation got onto his radio carreer, Kyle said that although he’s happy where he is for now, he isn’t ruling out securing a slot on 2GB.
“It might surprise you that one of the owners of this joint has said whenever I want to come and work here they’ll make a spot available,” he told Ben Fordham’s listeners.
The discussion didn’t go unoticed by Macquarie CEO, Adam Lang who was one of Kyle’s previous bosses at SCA. Fordham saw Mr Lang looking animated through the glass and invited him into the studio to talk about the time Kyle was sent to see an ethics professor…
I think it would be great for Vile to head to 2GB. Might give 2UE/Talking Lifestyle/Talking Sport (stay tuned for next week's format) a chance with the listeners switching off.....
I start by remarking that Kyle would fit the classic definition of a "shock jock" as a person who makes outrageous statements or confronts colleagues about their personal lives. His presentations "....pushes the envelope..." (Wikipedia, definition "shock jock") and attracts attention for his market. Attracting listeners is attracting an audience which is attracting advertising revenue. In contrast I would not regard the current presenters at 2GB as "shock jocks", especially those who have a passion for current social and economic issues on energy, the economy, population growth and debt, to name a few. Those issues are a concern for all Australians and 2GB acts as an advocate for the audience's concerns. Whether 2GB's presenters have reformed or influenced public policy is beyond the scope of this essay.
Kyle could well be suited for a news talk format. His energies would have to be directed at informing and entertaining an audience instead of asking colleagues (male and female newsreaders, say) about their personal lives. The latter would not suit an audience at 2GB. Nevertheless Kyle is street-smart and could well give it to the decision-makers as well as being pleasant. So Kyle could do well on a news talk station.
2GB's success is due to its personalities, leading with Mr Alan Jones then Mr Ray Hadley. There has to be a succession plan one day when neither Mr Jones or Mr Hadley are not available (for whatever reasons) and 2GB relies on the personality of its presenter in order to attract attention and thus listeners.
So if Mr Singleton can accommodate Kyle as reported in this article, I would put Kyle in Mr Hadley's position. Mr Hadley can be confronting to a decision-maker who does wrong as well as being compassionate when it is deserved. Kyle would definitely fit the morning shift. He's have to keep up with current political and economic events. I can see him also having a show-business segment. But I don't think the music played on KIIS (formerly Mix106.5, formerly 2UW, but its callsign is 2UFM (ACMA)) is suited to 2GB.
In addition, I would say that 2GB cannot rely on Kyle alone. Kyle's program would have to have a large team of producers and researchers. Included in that would be a team of musicians who could perform songs based on well-known tunes and political satire. Similar to the Robertson Brothers on Mr Hadley's program and similar to Mojo singing on Mr Laws' program. Kyle's program could also include contributions from Mr Michael Pachi and Mr John Stanley.
Yes, Kyle would be suitable on 2GB on the morning shift.
Regards
Anthony of exciting Belfield