News October 27, 2015

Kate Ritchie to host Nova drive, Ray Hadley sued, and six redundancies at ARN

NEWS

Confirmed: Kate Ritchie to join Nova drive

dmg Radio have confirmed that ex-Nova 96.9 breakfast co-host Kate Ritchie will be the one to replace Meshel Laurie on Nova national drive in 2014, joining Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold. READ MORE

Hadley accused of not handing over ’damaging emails’

2GB’s Ray Hadley is currently being sued over allegedly bullying the station’s Digital Content Manager, Richard Palmer.

On Friday, Hadley was accused of failing to comply with a court order by not handing over “damaging emails” relating to the incident.

The court was told that four emails were handed in, three of which were from “sycophantic listeners of his program”.

Counsel for Hadley said it was possible it was an innocent mistake or error on Hadley’s behalf. READ MORE

Mix Sydney – Kiis, Kyle & a baby

With Mix 106.5 promoting that they had a big announcement, many were assuming it would deal with the future of the breakfast show and the possibility that there will be a change.

Lukis and Stynes built it up and then revealed that Yumi is having a baby. In other Mix news, ARN reportedly registered the domain name ’Kiis.com.au’ in Australia early last week (as Brad March revealed last weekend on Radio Today). READ MORE

Radio Transaction Multiples Fall Post-GFC

Research shows that the multiples being paid for Australian radio assets have fallen considerably in the post-GFC environment.

The research, undertaken by BridgePoint Group Advisory, analysed transaction multiples across more than a decade of merger and acquisition transactions involving Australian radio assets. READ MORE

4BC announce new drive host

4BC in Brisbane have appointed journalist and Channel 7 sports presenter Ben Davis as their drive host in 2014.

This comes after the departure of Gary Hardgrave from the Brisbane talk station. READ MORE

Newcastle Survey 3: David & Tanya leave on top

The third and final survey result for 2013 has been released in Newcastle.

KOFM remain #1 in the market but the gap is much closer to NXFM at #2 (now only 2 points). The departing KOFM breakfast team, David & Tanya, notched up their 50th #1 result as a duo. A fitting end to a long career together in Newcastle. Tanya is staying on the show with a new co-host yet to be announced.

Meanwhile both NXFM and NEW FM were the big movers, with both stations up in all shifts. READ MORE

smoothfm’s Cathy Dinn gets a promotion

smoothfm 91.5 drive host in Melbourne Cathy Dinn is moving to Sydney.

Dinn has accepted a more strategic role within the smoothfm programming team and will become their Operations Manager/Floater based in Sydney from December 2.

With her move, Byron Webb will now be doing Drive in both Sydney and Melbourne. READ MORE

Six redundancies at ARN

Six redundancies have occurred in the admin and sales departments at the Australian Radio Network.

A spokeswoman has told the Herald Sun: “ARN has experienced a significant amount of successful change over the past few years and continually reviews its business to ensure it is meeting the needs and expectations of the dynamic marketplace.”

“Some structural change has been implemented which unfortunately has meant that six roles are no longer required. ARN are grateful for their immense contributions to the company and wish each of these six people the best in their future careers.” READ MORE

Sean Ryan exits dmg Radio

Nova 106.9 General Manager Sean Ryan is leaving dmg Radio to take up a newly created role as Queensland State Director at News Corp Australia.

dmg CEO Cathy O’Connor said: “Sean will be sorely missed at dmg Radio but this is a fantastic opportunity and one that is well deserved.” READ MORE

Two new digital appointments at dmg Radio

dmg Radio have appointed David McGrath as Digital Commercial Operations Director and Angus Stevens as Digital Content and Product Director, to work across Nova, smoothfm and digital media brands ShopperNova and Rdio. READ MORE

Last original SEN breakfast host to exit

Tim Watson is leaving his co-host role after ten years on SEN breakfast in Melbourne.

The former Essendon captain is the last of the original SEN lineup. When the station started back in 2004 he worked alongside Garry Lyon and Bill Brownless. READ MORE

Robbie Williams to host smoothfm show

Robbie Williams is the latest music star to get his own short-term show on the smoothfm network.

Coinciding with the release of his Swing Both Ways album, which comes out on Friday, Robbie will host a month of Saturday afternoon shows, from 4pm.

“Robbie Williams – entertainer, actor, singer and now radio host. How good is this! It’s great to be on smoothfm,” said Williams. READ MORE

MOVES

Ben Wise, Executive Digital Producer of the Triple M Network, finished up today and is off to Cricket Australia to be their Digital Content Manager.

After just over a year producing the 96FM breakfast show, Greg Edgeworth is moving to be EP for Mix 94.5’s Clairsy, Shane & Kymba.

AFTRS Radio student Michael Whittington is the new morning announcer/promotion person at Star FM in Wagga.

Adam Connelly, Content Director at 5CC and Magic 899 on the Eyre Peninsula, is moving to Adelaide for family reasons, after four years at the station.

READ MORE

JOBS

2UE has a vacancy for a Promotions and Marketing Co-Ordinator

2UE has a vacancy for a Promotions and Marketing Director

96FM in Perth has a vacancy for an Executive Producer in Breakfast

Wave FM in Wollongong has a vacancy for a Promotions Manager

2UE has a vacancy for a Direct Sales Account Manager

Crocmedia has a vacancy for a Commercial Manager based in Adelaide

5CC / Magic 89.9 in Port Lincoln has a vacancy for a Content Director

6ix has a vacancy for a Commercial Producer

Classic Hits in Hamilton NZ has a vacancy for a Breakfast Producer and Co-Host

Star FM in Port Macquarie has a vacancy for a Breakfast Announcer.