With the way they’re going making 6PR very newsy, they may as well rename the station to “Nine News Radio.”
Makes you wonder if they were dumb enough to issue the same memo to 3AW on air talent. The reaction from Ross Stevenson and Neil Mitchell would be priceless if they tried to pull that shit with them.
I don’t know why new management feels the need to interfere with something that is clearly working. I doubt Perth listeners want a hard news and opinion 2GB clone in that city. I wish radio network management would dispense with the cookie cutter approach to programming and give some autonomy to local stations and presenters to tailor content and a style that suits their community.
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Let’s not pretend that Nine haven’t at all tinkered with 2GB though. Since taking full control of what used to be the Macquarie Radio Network we saw them get Chris Smith back on their books, give Steve Price the sack, bring in a few of their own presenters (Deborah Knight, Jim Wilson) and of course the big one, the end of Alan Jones’ association with 2GB.
On a broader scale, there were also the network-wide decisions to replace the longrunning news themes with the Nine News music and bring in consistent Traffic/Sports/Weather themes for both the talk & music stations.
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Here is the list Millsy mentioned:
- No swearing
- No jokes
- Dress well
- Do hard stories like China and Afghanistan
- Improve the way you speak
- Improve your social media presence
- Do not talk to your panel operator
There was also one more but I think he was being a smart ass:
- Be like Liam (Bartlett)
If this really was a legit memo then it was completely unnecessary. Maybe he was taking the piss… I don’t know.
This is what has thrown me. The format 6PR had prior to today was solid. The ratings were good. People liked the presenters. Okay Basil had to leave but I have no idea why they felt the need to change absolutely everything (with the exception of Drive/Perth Live).
Time will tell I guess. The sad part is that they will blame the presenters and send them packing instead of admitting management were wrong.
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That reminds me of the story way back when Sandy Aloisi was appointed the program director of 2UE and she suggested to experienced broadcaster and journalist Mike Carlton that he take elocution lessons. The suggestion was vocally rebuffed.
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On Simon’s last show in December they played a tribute song performed by 6PR newsreader John Nicholls. I found this amusing since it references Basil and Stokes for the reason for all the changes (which was no secret to anyone).
Most of the references will be lost on non-locals and those who don’t listen to 6PR often but if you want to listen here it is: Simon Beaumont Tribute on SoundCloud
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When John Singleton bought the Fairfax stations all he wanted was 3AW and 4BC. He didn’t care much for 2UE or the Music Stations and certainly not 6PR and I remember him saying the Perth “was bloody too far away” As it turned out with Fairfax it was all or nothing.
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From next Saturday, Bill McDonald will be hosting a weekend breakfast show on 4BC:
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Do 4bc only hire middle aged white males? 
It was only a matter of time before Bill was back in the media, he obviously impressed during his time filling in on ABC and his stint in Real Estate seems to have gone a little quiet.
They should pair him up with his old desk buddy Georgina Lewis who might have some spare time on her hands, now that would be interesting.
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6PR getting blasted on the Breakfast Facebook page: 6PR Breakfast - Have you spotted the new News Talk 6PR 882... | Facebook . 250-ish comments as of now and most are not supportive of the changes.
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Bill McDonald and Spencer. Both awful, particularly McDonald.
Terrible decisions by Nine/4BC.
I can’t see Jim Wilson lasting long on 2GB.
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Traffic presenter Olympia Kwitowski is now filling in on the 2pm-3pm 4BC short afternoons shift on Monday and Tuesdays in place of Bill.
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Yet she’s from the left faction of the most left-leaning Liberal Party in the country.
Actually, she does suit the modern day nine/fairfax/fluff 2GB come to think of it.
NSW left Liberal Matt Keen would feel welcome at the new 2GB.
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So many people to put that show together. Emerson has not improved which he should have by now.
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McDonald is hardly interesting listening. Thought Nine would have used its old research from TV News days to check the appeal of Bill.
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