Chrissie Swan departs Melbourne breakfast as Matt Tilley to partner Jane Hall at rebranded Kiis
Chrissie Swan has been dumped from the KissFM breakfast show in Melborune with Matt Tilley being partnered up with Jane Hall from the new year.
The move comes with the Australian Radio Network station set to rebrand from Mix in the new year as it chases a younger demographic, following the success of the launch of the Kiis brand in Sydney this year.
It has also been announced Kiis Sydney’s breakfast duo of Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson are parting ways with executive producer Simon Greally at the end of the year with the experienced Nic McClure stepping into the role.
Rumours have been circulating in the market that Swan would be axed from the show to make way for Tilley, who comes to the network after a year of hosting the One Percenters Drive show with Joe Hildebrand on TripleM, which is also being cut to make way for Merrick Watts.
Tuesday’s survey seven radio ratings showed Hall and Swan as fifth in the Melbourne market in FM Breakfast audience share, with 6.2.
Of the change to the Melbourne Breakfast team ARN’s content director Duncan Campbell said: “KIIS 101.1 will be a new station built specifically for Melbourne listeners with an exciting new breakfast show hosted by Matt and Jane.
“They will make for a dynamic and entertaining combination with a passion for the city set against the backdrop of a new energetic station”
The rebrand in Melbourne is aimed squarely at challenging the dominance of Southern Cross Austereo’s (SCA) FoxFM, which leads the FM pack in the talk-radio dominated city, and has a 2.5 share point lead over Mix in the current survey.
However SCA’s executive director of metro operations Guy Dobson was unconcerned at the challenge, telling Mumbrella on Tuesday he did not think a combination of Tilley and Hall would be enough to challenge the “established” Fifi Box and Dave Thornton in Breakfast.
“Fox has proven it’s a strong brand in Melbourne this year, and I really don’t think Tilley and Jane Hall are going to be strong enough, but good luck to them,” he added. “Putting two people who have never worked together before on air, creating that magic takes a little bit longer.”
Actress Hall has hosted the Breakfast show with Swan since 2012 on Mix, whilst Tilley has had a number of high profile gigs, and hosted FoxFM’s Breakfast show with Jo Stanley for 16 years until last November, when he made some barbed comments against Southern Cross Austereo management in his sign-off speech.
“We’re excited at having a host of Matt’s calibre headlining Breakfast and, along with Jane, bringing a brand new experience to Melbourne Breakfast radio on a new and energised station,” Campbell added.
The network also has a new Drive show with Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek set to return to radio replacing Tim ‘Rosso’ Ross.
That change has freed up McClure, who had been EP for Ross, to move across to the breakfast slot with Kyle and Jackie O.
Alex Hayes
Shame they are getting rid of MIX. I was listening the other day and decided they’ve got the best playlist going around. Now it’ll just be another carbon copy of FOX and NOVA. On another note, it was good to see Smooth FM is doing well,
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Well thats the end of me listening to 101.1 for the breakfast show.
Can’t stand Matt Tilley.
Good luck with your next venture Chrissie. You will be sorely missed.
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I have highly enjoyed this years breakfast show with Chrissie and Jane. The PI segment was radio genius. Chrissie Swan made the show.
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if it aint broke, dont fix it. Chrissie and Jane were a popular team for female listeners. KIIS, big mistake, you will lose a lot of dedicated folowers
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A’men to that James – I am extremely disappointed and won’t be continuing to follow ‘Matt and Jane’.
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No!! I love Chrissie and Jane 🙁 They provide that perfect mix (no pun intended) between being fun and entertaining while also being intelligent. They can have meaningful discussions without being boring, unlike the Fox and they’re idiotic segments/pranks week after week. Plus I loved the playlist on Mix 🙁
Another thought – has the rebranding success of Mix in Sydney due to them rebranding the station, or due to them getting Jackie O and Kyle? I’m thinking it’s because of the addition of Jackie O and Kyle more than anything, being a radio duo with such a popular following. Jane and Matt are completely new, Kiss FM may not do as well in Melbourne as in Sydney….
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Chrissie Swan was the best arrival to radio since Kate Langbroek. Hopefully she’ll be making her way back to morning tv next…
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Nooooooo!!!! Without Chrissie I’m out!
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@Samantha – I totally agree with your comments. The success of KIIS in Sydney is only attributed to Kyle & Jackie O (unfortunately). You can see the direct correlations in ratings between 2day and KIIS, last year the station formally known as Mix in Sydney had no K&J and was rating about a 3 share, while 2day had K&J and was rating #1. The tables have dramatically turned the other way this year as we all know. ARN are clearly trying to emulate that same story by purchasing Matt Tilley’s services, who was previously a #1 rating breakfast show host in Melbourne. The issue there is that his show was not rating #1 when he left Fox FM and he doesn’t have the same pull as Kyle does in Sydney. Meanwhile, the much loved Chrissie Swan gets dropped… Maybe she’ll pop up at SCA?
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Yep, without Chrissie I’m out too
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No more mix fm for me – I have followed Chrissie on all stations she has been on and will continue to do so. Very funny lady
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Mix Melbourne changing to Kiis next year… guess that answers my question from the start of the year [ https://mumbrella.com.au/arn-boss-ciaran-davis-today-inauguration-day-kyle-jackie-o-go-live-200898 ]
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Chrissy was the show, what a joke, what a loss…..
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I’m also out! Chrissy and Jane are my laughs in the morning while taking the kids to school and driving to work. I will not listen to Matt and Jane…sorry Jane, I love ya but without Chrissy I will not listen.
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Big mistake!!! The chemistry between Chrissy and Jane is absolute gold. They will find that energy won’t be replicated with Matt and Jane. Jane will struggle with this partnership as time goes on.
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What are the people up there in high management thinking? Do they not listen to the girls in the mornings? Its the only way I can face my day……. BIG HUGE MISTAKE taking Chrissy out. Leave the girls as they are Poor Jane she must feel ripped off! ! I will not be listening to this station once the girls show is over.
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Chrissey and Jane have become my best virtual friends. I ride the highs and lows with them as I walk 10km every morning. They are my only positive motivation when the alarm goes off at 5.45am. If I put on weight next year, it’s ARN’s fault!
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It’s their loss, hope to see Chrissy on TV may be on the project?
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Just found Chrissy and Jane this year, and love sharing my drive to work with them every day. After this year I will have to find another station to listen to. Love you Chrissy and Jane, you have brightened my days. Chrissy, you are fantastic and will be very missed.
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Big mistake. Without Chrissie I’m out. Won’t be listening to KIIS anymore.
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No Chrissie and Jane what a joke they are so good without the babbling crap you get from most DJs
As for drive say no more
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Chrissie gets on very well with her Melbourne content director, so no staff troubles. It is more her manager who was the stumbling block to a 2015 renewal.
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Sorry Jane but I love the two of you, I am going to bail. Who the hell is Matt Tilley, and haven’t the younger :set: got enough to listen to?
See ya Mix it has been great.
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Anonymous you are clearly not a melbourne radio listeners- the guy Matt Tilley has been part of the melbourne breakfast radio landscape for over 15 years on the consistently on the number one rated breakfast show
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I’m out. I make sure I’m in the car to listen to Chrissy. She sounds like all us woman and i love her. Shame to ring Matt back.
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What a loss chrissi is amazing another lost listener
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Shame on you. What’s wrong with chrissie swan? I listen to this radio station every morning because of swan and hall being together. They make me laugh soo much!! You shouldn’t get rid of a good thing.!:(
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I live in Tassie so I podcast and I’m sure I miss lots of the show but I enjoy listening to Chrissie and Jane and the chemistry they share on air. Without fail they make me laugh every day. Reading all these comments I think Mix/KIIS 101.1 have made a big mistake. Good luck with your ratings next year because it seems you’ve pissed a lot of people off so you’re gonna need it. Looks like I’ll be finding a new podcast to follow. Hopefully it’s with the hilarious Chrisoula Swan.
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I agree with Michelle what a Shane I Alds get up at 5 am in the morning to do 10 km an the girls show is the only thing that keeps me going I live in the country so I podcast to going to miss this show
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I can not believe this is happening!! No more Chrissy? Absolutely devasted..I love listening to those two girls…they are real and funny…perfect combo..why change something great…won’t be listening anymore..
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NOOOOO. Chrissie and Jane. Why doesn’t management listen to what their followers say. This team of strong and very funny ladies made your radio station. Once again you forgot to take into account your listeners
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Love Chrisssie ………….one word…………Amazing!!!…………Enjoy your break Swan. You will be snapped up in no time$$$$$$$$$$Love your work!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thanks goodness that show is gone……the most boring radio duo ever!!!!! I may have to give the new brand ago after switching off from Mix two years ago!!!!
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SAD NEWS.
Returned from leave & to discover this has been SAD.
The balance Chrissie & Jo have, has been Perfect. So many of us can relate one way or another. The fun & laughter you have shared has been real, clean & fun. Thank you for doing your job in such a tasteful, respectful & professional manor.
Disappointed. As for those behind the scenes collecting votes, sorting out statistics, managing the business module a message to you – you made a big big big mistake. Jo all the best to you with your new partner Matt whom I do find funny yet not my preferred radio host.
Chrissie I wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year with your family. Enjoy your holiday. I do hope & look forward to your next career adventure within the entertainment industry. Chrissie continue to shine for you have the gift to make others shine with you.
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