3AW will broadcast live from Flemington Racecourse next Tuesday, from 8.35am to 7pm AEDT for Melbourne Cup day. It includes Mornings, Afternoons, Drive and Wide World of Sports.
2 Likes
Secret power play for Nine Radio as shock billionaire buyer emerges
She’s one of the country’s most successful business leaders and pours millions of dollars into the national swim team, now it looks like Gina Rinehart is preparing to dive back into media to rescue Nine’s national talkback radio network.
Diary can reveal Australia’s richest woman has emerged as the latest potential suitor for Nine Entertainment’s almost-certainly-up-for-sale audio division – which comprises Sydney’s 2GB, 3AW in Melbourne, 4BC in Brisbane and Perth’s 6PR – and could end up making a solo play for the business or joining a consortium of high-profile personalities.
Indeed, there has been intense speculation among a number of the key players already publicly vying to take control of Nine Radio that Mrs Rinehart was considering adding her support to a bid being prepared by 2GB breakfast show star Ben Fordham’s brother, celebrity agent Nick Fordham.
One thing is for certain, under a Rinehart regime, Nine Radio’s vastly overlooked 6PR talkback station in her hometown of Perth would suddenly receive far more attention – and support – than it does under the division’s current east coast bosses.
In fact, we hear Mrs Rinehart is already planning to tap family friend and former morning show host Liam Bartlett for a return to the radio airwaves to spearhead a revival at the outlet.
3 Likes
Whomever buys the talk stations, hopefully will breathe new management life into them and clear out existing ‘leadership’ from the top down.
Tom Malone and Greg Byrnes need to be moved on, as do local management who have dropped the ball/don’t have the experience of successful talk radio.
Perth and Brisbane both remain problem stations as current management lack the interest and knowledge on how to improve the fortunes of each station.
The Brisbane situation is an embarrassment. The ‘get ratings quick’ greediness mentality saw breakfast presenter Neil Breen finish on 7.5% in mid 2022 and the station has not bettered that since. This has led to a decline of audience across the rest of the prime time shifts.
A similar greed occurred for weekend breakfast with Paul Burt deep in controversy from the beginning with his TV show immediately refused screening after a domestic violence slur made it to air. Nine ignored this and he continues with poorer ratings than when he began and no improvement to the bottom line, very few clients. The show is often not live, prerecording so he can be elsewhere, Paul Burt clearly has mentally checked out of the show.
Then there’s complete capitulation of weekend mornings where after then presenter, Peter Fegan badgered his way into weekend breakfast, Nine gave up on a local replacement and reduced local programming by piping in the Sydney morning show. No local, general content weekend breakfast and then no make good of that with local weekend morning.
TV news presenter and sometimes sport commentator, Bill McDonald was never the right choice for mornings, a statewide, syndicated show (albeit to small regional markets on low rating AM stations). Talk mornings requires good opinions and ability to break news. Neither has been evident. A failure of the presenter, producers and management for not hiring the requisite staff.
Nine Radio have also ignored their own research for Brisbane as reported by media outlets who published this fact. This demonstrates more unwillingness to properly commit to Brisbane, again likely due to their lack of confidence and aptitude to improve the situation as clearly outlined.
A useful and successful commercial news talk format is necessary for the news media ecosystem of a city the size of Brisbane. Adelaide continues to demonstrate it can, time for Brisbane.
One bad decision after another at 4BC. New owner, new management needed immediately.
9 Likes
Laura Spurway hosting 3AW Drive today. Interesting choice.
2 Likes
Where’s Jacqui?
probably at Oaks Day 
3 Likes
Since my post,Laura mentioned she was doing her thing at the Oaks.
3AW will again broadcast live from Flemington Racecourse this Saturday (Weekend Breakfast and The Weekend Break).
1 Like
The opposite of Neil who would never be part of a commercial arrangement.
4BC 2026 team announced. Dean & Sophie.
1 Like
BRISBANE IS WAKING UP WITH DEAN & SOFIE IN 2026!
4BC ANNOUNCES NEW BREAKFAST TEAM
Dean Miller and Sofie Formica
Brisbane’s 4BC has today announced its new breakfast duo, bringing together two of Queensland’s most familiar and beloved voices: Dean Miller and Sofie Formica.
Starting January 19, Brisbane mornings will get a fresh dose of energy, warmth, and local flavour as 4BC Breakfast with Dean & Sofie takes to the airwaves. Every weekday morning from 5:30 am to 9:00 am, the show will bring talkback listeners the perfect blend of humour, heart, headlines, and hometown truths.
Dean Miller is one of Queensland’s most familiar voices and faces, bringing decades of experience in radio, television, and digital storytelling to the 4BC Breakfast team.
A proud Brisbane local, Dean first made his mark as the long-time Breakfast Anchor at Triple M Brisbane, where he built a loyal following across the city. He’s also been a household name on Australian television, hosting lifestyle favourites such as Creek to Coast, Queensland Weekender, and The Great South East for more than 15 years.
“To be back on air in the city I love, with a station that’s part of Brisbane’s DNA, is a real privilege – and to do it with my mate of over 20 years? That’s a gift”, said Miller.
"Brisbane’s always been home – it’s where I’ve raised my kids, built a life, and now I get to wake up with the city every morning. Sofie and I are both fiercely proud of this place. We want to bring a bit of joy, a bit of cheek, and a whole lot of Brisbane to your mornings.”
Formica says the move to Breakfast is exciting, adding: “After four years of hosting Afternoons on 4BC solo, I’m ready to take on a new challenge and thrilled to be sharing the studio with a friend. We know Brisbane breakfast radio is tough, but we are determined to deliver a show that is real and it’s Brisbane.”
Breakfast with Dean & Sofie will bring listeners the breaking news as it happens, unpack the stories that matter most to Brisbane, and balance it all with the warmth and wit of two locals who love their city and aren’t afraid to call it how they see it.
On the new Breakfast lineup, 4BC Station Manager, Siobhain McDonnell said: “Dean and Sofie are the perfect duo to wake up to in Brisbane. This city is thriving, and our listeners are fiercely proud of their lifestyle. We want 4BC listeners to start their day with the latest news, the best conversation, and a smile on their face. Their 20-year friendship is infectious, and it’s time for Brisbane to be invited in.”
The duo’s chemistry stems from their contrasting styles and long-standing personal relationship. While Sofie brings the energy, fitness, and competitive edge, Dean brings the laughs, laid-back charm, and a knack for finding joy in the everyday.
“Sofie’s up at 5am doing yoga and green smoothies. I’m just trying to find my other sock. Somehow, it works. She’s the fit one, I’m the fun one. Together, we’re your perfectly balanced breakfast”, said Miller.
“We’re not just broadcasting – we’re connecting. Whether you’re on the school run, heading to work, or just waking up, we want to be the friendly voice that starts your day right.”
Tune in to 4BC’s Breakfast with Dean & Sofie, weekdays from January 19, and start your day the Brisbane way.
2 Likes
So I’m assuming it’ll be a lighter mix of talkback than previously… minus the music of course.
1 Like
I wonder how long this experiment lasts before there’s another “change of direction”.
2 Likes
It’s the usual see-saw of news talk vs. light talk.
We had Neil Breen (news talk), then LG&M (light talk), then Peter Fegan (news talk), now Dean & Sophie (light talk).
If Gina buys the network, we’ll have news talk with Ben Fordham likely networked into Brisbane.
1 Like
I wonder who will do 4bc Afternoons now since Sophie moving to Breakfast
Jess Millward?
2 Likes
Clearly tackling the big issues.
10News+? Is that you?
1 Like