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Redundancies roll on with reports Macquarie has now sacked on-air team at Magic 1278

Screen Shot 2015-04-13 at 3.04.26 pmMacquarie Radio appears to be continuing its major round of redundancies, with reports emerging this afternoon that production staff and on-air presenters at Magic 1278 were told they would no longer be needed.

Radio Info is reporting that program director Clark Forbes told staff that presenters Kevin John, Peter O’Callaghan, Ric Ditchburn and Peter Ban would all be going with the station likely to stream in from Magic in Brisbane from as early as this afternoon.

Screen Shot 2015-04-13 at 3.05.09 pmChief Operating Officer Adam Lang confirmed the changes this afternoon saying: “We have made a number of staff changes to the Magic 1278 team today, which sees four of our on-air presenters leave the station.

“Breakfast co-host Kevin John, plus weekday and evening presenters Peter O’Callaghan, Ric Ditchburn and Peter Van, will leave Magic 1278, along with one other staff member. I would like to thank the terrific contribution these presenters have made to Magic 1278 in Melbourne.

“The Magic 1278 on-air line up will change and Breakfast co-host Jane Holmes will remain with the station.”

The redundancies come as the former Fairfax Radio confirmed last Friday’s sackings which saw 2UE afternoon presenter and 4BC hosts Ian Skippen, Loretta Ryan and Patrick Condren all dumped as the merged entities look for cost savings from networking and extending existing programming.

The merged Macquarie and Fairfax Radio now faces questions about whether the redundancies have exceeded the previously touted number of 50.

So far the only statement has come from Adam Lang, COO of the merged Macquarie Radio, who addressed the 4BC cuts.

He told Media Week: “As we continue the business integration between Fairfax Radio Network and Macquarie Radio Network, there are staff changes under way at 4BC and Magic 882 in Brisbane. These conversations with our team will conclude by the end of next week.

“A total of 18 roles will be leaving our business with the aim of redeploying some staff within the network.

“4BC on-air presenters, including breakfast team Ian Skippen and Loretta Ryan, mornings presenter Patrick Condren, evening presenter Walter Williams and weekend breakfast announcer Murray Shoring will finish their roles with the station. Magic 882 evening presenter Jo Henderson has also left the station.

“I would like to acknowledge the incredible contribution and dedication these presenters have made to our stations and our Brisbane audience. We will be announcing our new station line-ups shortly and look forward to bringing the very best of our newly expanded Macquarie Radio Network programs to our Brisbane audience.”

The handling of the cuts has drawn anger from staff who are perplexed at the speed and lack of consultation about the cuts.

“This isn’t a merger, this is a hostile takeover by Russell Tate and co,” one 2UE staffer had previously told Mumbrella.

Lang’s statement acknowledged the difficultly of the redundancy process saying: “This is a very challenging time for everyone in our company and we would like to thank our staff for their patience, understanding and terrific support during this process.

“While any redundancies are regrettable, we are determined to build a stronger national radio network with our music stations and the leading news, talk and sport stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.”

Nic Christensen 

Nic Christensen is a former employee of both Macquarie Radio and Fairfax Radio.

Update 4.45pm: 2UE has issued the following media release regarding changes to its weekday presenter line-up:

Sydney’s News Talk 2UE 954 today announced its new on air presenter line-up.

 The 2UE Mornings presenter Stuart Bocking and Afternoons presenter Justin Smith will both now have extended programs. Stuart Bocking’s program will air from 9.00am until 2.00pm, while Justin Smith’s program will air from 2.00pm until 6.00pm.

 2UE Breakfast with John Stanley and Garry Linnell will continue to be scheduled from 5.00am to 9am.

 All other 2UE programming remains unchanged.

 “Stuart and Justin’s programs are really growing in appeal with our audience, and both our 2UE Sydney listeners and presenters have wanted more time on-air as a result. Extending the Mornings and Drive shows will give our 2UE audience more of what they want,” 2UE Content Director Clinton Maynard said.

 The changes are effective today.

Update 5.43pm: Fairfax Radio’s Adam Lang has issued another media release regarding changes to its Magic presenter line-up:

“We have made a number of staff changes to the Magic 1278 team today, which sees four of our on-air presenters leave the station.

“Breakfast co-host Kevin John, plus weekday and evening presenters Peter O’Callaghan, Ric Ditchburn and Peter Van, will leave Magic 1278, along with one other staff member. I would like to thank the terrific contribution these presenters have made to Magic 1278 in Melbourne.

“The Magic 1278 on-air line up will change and Breakfast co-host Jane Holmes will remain with the station.

“We remain strongly committed to Melbourne and our audience.

“During the survey break period we will, as usual, have fill-in presenters who will this week feature Melbourne entertainment icon Mike Brady.

“Our new on-air line-up will be announced shortly and we do not anticipate any further changes.

“While any redundancies are regrettable, we are determined to build a stronger national radio network with our music stations and the leading News, Talk and Sport stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.”

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