Nine Radio (Talk)

Heard Gail Watson reading the 6pm news today. Going to miss her on the airwaves.

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End of an era that’s for sure. She’s such a great newsreader.

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I remember well when she started filling-in for Tardio back in 2009 also when Denis Walter started and he used to go until 3:30pm or was it 4pm. Yeah she came from smaller sister-station 4BC, a rare move. All the things she’s seen, what’s changed and the comings and goings both at AW and the wider media. A fab innings, well done Gail :waving_hand:

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If John Singleton buys Nine Radio one thing is certain……4BC will take 2GB programming 24/7. No local presenters at all. And it would probably rate better than it currently does.

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Announced yesterday.

The change will apply next year.

(PS: That syndication website hasn’t picked up this.)

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I have a feeling we’ll see Willis eventually promoted to a better role than just Money News.

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I’d say John Stanley would be the happiest person about James Willis, he won’t have to fill in at breakfast and might actually get to have a summer holiday for once.

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Nine’s 2026 upfronts will take place at 4pm AEDT. There could be an update on the potential sale of the four talk stations, and/or whether those stations would be involved in the network’s coverage of Winter Olympics next February.

Do a Versant and just let them air it for the duration of the Olympics deal (if the stations were to be sold).

And if it is sold, get ready for an SCA bidding battle.

Peter Fegan exits 4BC.

4BC confirms breakfast shake-up as Peter Fegan exits

My prediction is we’ll see a male & female duo hit the 882AM airwaves in 2026, delivering a lighter talkback alternative as opposed to the harder-hitting 2GB wannabe.

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I would like this for sure.

But what will we see on Monday morning? Ben Fordham piped in from Sydney?

Big change but entirely predictable I guess given the ratings. Didn’t want him to do a Bill and quit abruptly so fired him after his last shift?

Didn’t they have this previously though, 23/24 from memory when there was 3 hosts they brought over from another station.

Luke Bradnam from Monday UFN.

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Don’t you mean Laurel, Gary and Mark who came over from 4kq when ARN was forced to sell 4kq?

I’m thinking more like Moyd Kaye & Loretta Ryan.

Big result for Jacqui Felgate on AW Drive, (equal) No. 1, her best since earlier in the year.

Her programs have been heavily leading with the youth and wider crime issues currently in Melbourne particularly the judicial system. Up a massive 2 points, the content, at least in part, clearly resonating with the public/listeners, you can tell in a lot of callers’ emotional voices too. Many have been commending her stance and passion to the discussion on-air as well.

While it could be argued she’s a bit one-dimensional, an alarmist and sensationalising at times, there has been quite a few good segments and first hand witness or victim accounts, often live or as-live to events and it has made for some excellent topical talkback radio. IMO.

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The email to staff said in the interim, familiar voices and friends of 4BC for the remainder of the year.

As with LGM and hiring Fegan, Greg and Tom don’t know what to do with 4BC, always slow making a decision and either hope station is sold or can coax some Nine staff to do it.

Having to work with the failed decision of Max ā€˜the dud’ Dudley, then content manager of hiring LGM and losing their best result at breakfast, Neil BREEN finished on 7.5%, the Sydney execs lack the will, budget and knowledge to fix the problem in Brisbane.

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Which tracks with this.

Media McKnight can reveal there will be no change to the ā€˜live and local’ strategy. All shows between 5.30am – 6pm weekdays will remain local, broadcasting from the Cannon Hill studios.

The station has just employed its own local sales team which has already seen revenue increases, thanks to a focus on localism.

While there is no doubt budgets are under pressure and all costs are being evaluated, Nine Radio executives believe local programming is the answer to future success.

USP will not be thrown away.

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I’d argue the only USP that 4BC currently has is mediocrity. Victim of poor leadership decisions.

Really hope you were being sarcastic @News727

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