Redundancies roll on with reports Macquarie has now sacked on-air team at Magic 1278
Macquarie 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.
Chief 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.”
4BH?
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Looks like Magic has done the disappearing act.
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The homogenisation of Australian radio continues. Sad.
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how factual, streaming 4BH, that station changed to Magic a year ago and the press can’t even get it right lol!
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Very upsetting to see Kevin John leave Magic 1278, great personality to listen to every morning. I will no longer listen to this station.
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Do your management realize how many baby boomers loved these now gone, on air people. It’s all dollars. You will loose me and all my friends aged 60+
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Out go all the workers and management remains untouched. Heard that before?
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Fact is Magic1278’s format is very tired, with old gimmicks like Secret Sound, Grandkids birthdays etc. They’ve kept Jane Holmes, the weaker half of the morning duo, which won’t help the ratings. And losing Peter O’Callaghan, the best allrounder at the station, is a mistake. Hope he gets new gig soon.
Maybe it is time for a change, with Magic882 injecting some new life into the old mixed metaphor.
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Dont listen to sydney stations. Your ratings will nosedive. Total rubbish.
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I refer to the very small announcement in the Herald Sun (Melbourne) this morning announcing the removal of our great announcers from Magic 1278.
How dare you treat the great Melbourne listening audience with such disdain.
There are many thousands of listeners to Magic especially that of the Breakfast show
with Kevin John and Jane Holmes, with Kevin’s beautiful voice and Jane’s fabulous personality, they both kept a lot of people company with their great wit and sense of humor with their many anicdotes, they kept a lot of lonely people company.
‘Shame’, Shame, Shame’ – we don’t need to be taken over by interstate presenters who don’t really care about Victoria.
We need our own homegrown talents and programs.
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It was bad enough years ago to see what we used to refer to as country radio become a victim of networked radio.To now witness this insidious practice seeking to destroy metropolitan radio is hard to grasp.Apparently dollars in the bank means more than the needs of the listening public.Radio and television administrators in this country are no longer committed to quality entertainment.
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What a sad breakfast without Kevin and Jane. What are the radio gurus thinking of!! Not the listeners. Lost me.
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What a sad breakfast with no Kevin and Jane. What are the radio gurus thinking of!! Not the listeners. Have lost me.
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it’s a great shame to see such talented people lose their job that keep us listening every morning and suddenly gone just like that, i for one won’t be listening to magic anymore SHAME!SHAME!SHAME!
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What a disgrace.I listen to Magic because of the great announcers.You have lost me and all my friends as a listener.I’m not interested in my radio station coming from another state.I am now moving over to 3mp.
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What a disgrace, dollars before well loved and entertaining presenters, and not even an acknowledgement on-air to let listeners know what had happened. We worried that something had happened to Peter O’Callaghan, and wondered all day what was going on. Shame on you all, the Executives keep their jobs, and the workers go, and those workers are what made 1278 and 693 before that. You have lost us, we do not want canned broadcasting streamed from other states. Hope this is a dismal failure.
Our love and thoughts go to Kevin, Peter, Rick and Peter Van, and anybody else who has felt the axe of your decision, hope they go onto get wonderful jobs elsewhere and we will follow them. 1278 and those presenters, made our day, all day, every day, NO MORE, so sad.
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What a disappointment losing all the good guys from magic. You have now lost me a dedicated listener since day one.
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Worked with both Kevin John and Peter Van many years ago. Really good, decent, talented people in a very cutthroat and often cruel industry.
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LOL good luck Melbourne when it’s summer and Qld has NO daylight savings. “Welcome to Magic-1-hour-behind-the-rest-of-civilized-Australia”…
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The cuts of so many well know presenters across stations and streaming of Jones and Hadley will be a big win for ABC radio stations as listeners flee looking for broader better informed programs and presenters. And bonus – no ads!
Jack
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Stream Brisbane radio into Melbourne? Good luck with that. Have these people the first clue about running radio stations?
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No respect for the listening public at all will miss all the great team at the old magic but will no longer be tuning in into your so called New Magic” Good luck with that.
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Stupid decision by Management. Smooth 91.5 from now on.
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Oh I love the Melbourne thing! They would listen to elephant farts as long as they were broadcast from Melbourne.
Having said that even though it’s only Billy Joel and the Beach Boys ….its dangerous……
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You HAVE DESTROYED MAGIC 1278 GET HERE INTO MY PLACE AND SEE HOW COLD IT SOUNDS IF I WANTED SYDNEY PEOPLE ON I WOULD HAVE SHIFTED UP TO PORT MAQUARIE I HOPE THE SHARE HOLDERS GO BROKE I USE TO LISTEN TO 3 AW BUT THEY BECAME LIBERALISED AND BIASED THATS WHY MY SELF AND A LOT OF OTHERS WENT TO MAGIC NOW IT SOUNDS BLOODY COLD NO PERSONALITY THE ONLY ONE AT 3 AW WITH GUTS WAS DARREN I HOPE YOU LOOSE YOUR JOB OVER THIS STUFF UP
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Great love getting our information from BRISBANE NOT! u’ve lost me as a listener by by
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I am apalled at losing Ric Ditchburn who played more rocking hits in his segment, & knew what he was talking about!!! 1278 is coming off my car & bedside table radio right now. Management should look at the age group of listeners.
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Disgraceful, no respect for me the listener. I’m really, really angry about this. Just lost me.
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the people who are whinging, do realise that magic and 4BC weren’t rating that well – in fact they had an audience share of 4 across the day which in commerical terms isn’t good. Changes did need to be made
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Well folks you have lost another listener, Baby Boomer by the way, the dail was super glued on 1278. looks like I buy a new Radio, and find another station.As the man said,I DONT BELIEVE IT.Been nice knowing you.
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How stupid of management. Is this a money saving exercise at the expense of loyal listeners? The on-air replacements, are they going to be any better than the Melbourne team being replaced? This is very disturbing that the money men don’t care one bit about the listeners. The way it has been done sacking the staff leaves a lot to be desired. We hope that this whole change is a complete disaster. We are already looking for another radio station as we feel really let down following the changes to Magic 1278.
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How disappointing – you have now lost another loyal listener. Kevin and Jane in the morning were an absolute pleasure to listen too. I have now Swiched to another radio station.
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I am 92 years old and have been listening to Magic since it started. Dreadful treatment of your staff! Will be finding another station to listen to.
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I am trying not to laugh but the protesters are out in force tonight telling us they won’t be listening to 4BC et al. Tim and co can you let them know that they need to address their concerns to the station management not so much an industry website
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We the audience need to have a say in what has happened, for many years my mother and I enjoyed the radio station, on the way to school, in the car, at home, I am sixteen year old teenage girl and grew to love the music and especially the people. I am disgusted in the way the staff has been treated, my mother and I will no longer listened to the station I grew up with. Further more you can shove your now boring 1278am station where the sun doesn’t shine!
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Another avid listener signing off 1278 after the mass sackings, I see management said that had made great contributions to the radio station so why sack them.
All the best guys
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Disgusted to hear you have sacked presenters from our radio station. Melbourne radio will never be the same. Thank you to all those presenters that made our day . We will be finding a new radio station to listen to.
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As with everyone else, I am disgusted by what has happened to Magic. If it wasn’t rating why are so many people annoyed at our station being taken over? I have listened two mornings in a row and it’s terrible, the fun has gone from breakfast. And what has happened to the fantastic traffic and weather we used to get? We do not want our radio from Sydney or Brisbane. I will not be listening again. Make sure the executives hear that. And the advertisers as well, no use advertising on a station with no listeners.
Thank you to the presenters and I hope you go on to bigger and better things. Vale Magic.
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Disgusted!! I have been a constant listener of Magic 1278 – I am NO LONGER A CONSTANT LISTENER (certainly got a load of magicians in charge at 1278 now – my magic is to switch off).
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We have now had to endure for two days the new Magic 1278. Magic? What Magic? The station is just going through the motions. The current presenters, like Mike Braddy, aren’t up to the standard we are used to or want. What we want is a campaign of concerned 1278 listeners, protesting about this unwanted path that management has decided to pursue.
Mike Braddy just doesn’t seem to know what to do. He has as much personality, light and shade in his presentation as my big toe.
Lang’s explanation as to why the changes was as weak as dishwater. A typical, couldn’t careless, management statement.
Tell your Magic listener friends. Get them to write in protesting. Will it do any good? Who knows? If the backlash is so loud and persistent, there might be a change of thinking by the management. I wouldn’t bet our house on it though.
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You have lost us after many, many years as loyal listeners. To say that you will continue in Melbourne with a new team is beyond belief. Jane and Kevin in particular will be sorely missed as we always woke up to their happy voices and enjoyable program. I hope that your sponsors also desert you.
The only positive is that we will now play our range of CD’s instead, and when we need to hear radio, we will go back to MP.
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So sad to hear of the sackings at Magic. Enjoyed listening to the Quick Quiz every morning. And Ric was so funny and had a fantastic personality. He got to know his regular listners.
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You have lost me !
The Advertizers miss out !
Well I won’t be winnin’ no more quiz prizes !
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Very disappointing news on the replacement of the on air staff at magic.
Big shoes to fill, will just have to see what happens.
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Very disappointed to lose all of my favourite radio hosts from the Magic line up. I’m a bus driver and I used to have magic on air for all of my passengers. Not any more, I will be moving to a radio station that is local with local announcers. Maquarie has lost me along with thousands of other loyal Magic listeners.
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Once again Melbourne radio listeners have been treated badly . We used to listen to gold 104.3 after their disgraceful behaviour sacking grubby and dee dee we looked around for a station to listen to that appealed to our age group. We found magic 1278 and have been faithful listeners since then. Who chooses who will go or stay don’t the listeners who enjoy the station get a say? We will look for another station we will boycott magic as well as gold 104 I hope all other listeners do the same. See how much money you make when you don’t have any followers. Shame on you all !
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The Elvis Hour has left the building. At least I hope it has – couldn’t listen to it without Pete O’Callaghan.
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I WAS an avid listener of 1278. Not any more! I really enjoyed Ric Ditchburn. He has a great personality and got to know some of lhis listeners really well. I even got to know some of them! He had a wicked sense of humour too. Hope he gets a gig at another Melbourne station. He should with his talent. Hope the sacked broadcasters read these emails and know how much they will be missed. Good luck and thank you to them all. Hope they go onto bigger and better jobs.
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This happend to 3mp a few years ago and it stuffed the station and now magic when are these money hungry people going to learn its time to start a new station and every one tune in and these big station will have no one listing might do them some good if i want to hear bisbane or sydney radio i would stream it now but i want melbourne radio because i live in melbourne
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What a disgrace in which the way 1278 Management terminated the services of Ricky D Ditchburn,Pete Van ,Kevin John and Peter O Callaghan. Why not Jane Holmes?. Politically incorrect I suspect. Ric in particular had the touch that is lacking to day in Radio. The Company also did the same with Andrew McLaren.They did not have the courtesy to tell the listeners what was happening. So much for the 1278 Listener Advisory Board. They have gone too far. I dont need this station anymore and will not listen to again along with many of my friends. Ric,Peter and Co are up for grabs so other Stations should get them onboard
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Disgusting, I will never listen to your station again. If it is not broken why fix it. Magig was my favourite radio station. Willl miss all the amazing announcers
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The sad loss of jobs across the business is still to come. Wait until they get into sales and programming.
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my radio is permantly on 12.78 breakfast wakes me up each morning , ihave my breakfast by it. Its on in my car . day night when i want to know weather, traffic, on the hour i switch on.It ha a Melbourne Flavour when i get to work i turn it on in a busy cafe ,everyone loves it my kids love it. LOST US.Never heard anything so stupid having a Melbourne show coming from Brisbane the cities have little in commom rediculous. Now i have to find a new station. Terry Daly
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i cannot believe i go away for one night come back and you greedy bluggers have attacked my wounderful radio station all in the name of the all mighty dollar i do not want my station being live streamed from any where except melbourne my mornings with Kevin and jane have always been a delite and through out the day listerning to all the regular presenters not even a chance to say good by and wish them well i will give you one guess where you can insert your new radio station.
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3AW is ripe for someone to take it on.
Someone, anyone, re-animate MTR — just do it properly this time.
[Edited under Mumbrella’s content moderation policy]
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Just thought I would check why the sub-standard announcers. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the article. I have listened to Magic since it’s inception when I could get reception, wasn’t happy when signal was down graded by going 1278. Have had to stream ever since. Some people just don’t understand. It’s now Pandora until I can find an equivalent. Good luck to Kevin, Ric, Peter O and Peter V.
What a great team, start your own station lads.
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Yet another Melbourne radio station falls victim to corporate clowns masquerading as management.,showing complete disregard to faithful followers.I will never again listen to 1278 OR 3AW.
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All the best to Kevin, Ric, Peter O, and Peter V. I hope you all find a new home in Radio Land. In the meantime I’m making a “smooth” transfer to a Melbourne owned and operated station!
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how can you do that to your loyal listeners and fantatasic DJ.s they were the best in Melbourne had them on my radio ,car radio,headphones and so did all my family and friends,we will be never listen to your second rate station again it is a disgrace do you realise what you have done? Your listeners are turning off in droves and your DJS. Are the most second rate on radio. So long 1278
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Not happy Jan!!!!!!!
Macquarie management should be ashamed of themselves. I’ve been listening to Magic for years now and l love the presenters, they do a great job. Not staying with Magic now. Wish all redundant presenters all the best for their future.
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Good luck Ward to you and good health have known you since your Bendigo days a top class DJ lost.
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I find Fairfax’s changes at Magic 1278 very odd indeed. The announcers there are all top quality broadcasters and at a music station the music is the main selling point, if the station’s ratings are down then change the music first not the announcers. You should always strive for good on air announcers regardless of the music played. All of the announcers let go at magic 1278 are more than capable of working with many different music formats. Unlike a Talk Radio Station where the on air presenter is a major factor in the ratings, a music station is less reliant on the on air presenter for the ratings. The music station has a music format that all on air staff have to follow whether or not they personally like a song or not. I did find the general music playlist of Magic 1278 somewhat boring and predictable. Alot of the songs are played over and over again. The announcer’s were however fantastic the way they presented the programme.
There are alot of good songs made in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s that are never played on Magic 1278 despite receiving play when they first came out. It is necessary to have a very wide and versatile music playlist if playing music made many years ago…
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Foolish foolish people. You just sounded the death knoll for magic 1278. It WAS the best station ever.
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What a terrible week without “my friends” at Magic 1278. I tuned to Magic after 3MP became a talk back station and soon grew to love all of the presenters. It was great when Peter O’Callaghan joined after his time at 3MP. Where to now? Certainly not 3AW – hate talk back radio. Best wishes to all the presenters – remember the old saying: when one door closes, another one opens.
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Magic you have lost another loyal listener of many years…why would I want to listen to
a station that is streamed from Brisbane. Good luck to all who have lost their jobs.
Smooth 91.50 here I come….
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So sad indeed. It amazes me how senior management cannot see the talent of their staff. Why do senior management always do this? There is a better way but they always choose the easy way out. What makes them think that the rest of the staff remaining at Magic could just switch off to the known presenters and switch on to the new presenters? Magic was sounding so great with such wonderful talented presenters. The breakfast show each morning with Kevin and Jane and the ride home with Rick was so entertaining. Have you listened to it this week? It is so boring. It is horrible. I wondered for days what had happened. It is cruel. I wont be turning on to Magic anymore for sure.
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I am disgusted with 1278. Did you put it to the vote? no. You decided that was what listeners wanted, well your wrong.
As of today I’m turning you off the way you turned us off. You got rid of five of the finest dj’s in the business, your music was a distant second behind them.
Shame on you.
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Management have treated it’s listeners with total disdain.never a hint of what was about to happen.the only time I ever listen to another station is when I want to hear a football broadcast. Count me in as one more FORMER unhappy listener.
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Business is business but keep the Elvis hour on Sunday nights it doesn”t cost much to play C.D.s does it?.
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I wondered all week why the regular presenters were absent from their posts. All the fun was missing from the breakfast , late night and weekend programs. I have just read the sad news that the presenters have been sacked in yet another money-driven rationalisation of staff. I have most of the music on CDs or on my Ipod. I listened to the station because I enjoyed the presenters. They were always knowledgeable and genuinely liked the music they presented. There is no reason for me to continue listening to the station.
I extend my commiserations to all the presenters and wish them well in whatever they do next. Thank you for the fun.
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does anyone have a suggestion for a station that we can tune into with a similar format and same music as 12.78???????????????????
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you have lost me and a lot of other people in geelong i absolutely loved 1278 no more it s history
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typical management get rid of the good workers first why not get rid of the
management a sad day for radio wish john, peter rick and all the others best of luck going over smooth now 1278 will be a flop now
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You have just lost 2 more listeners. Our mornings will not be the same. Brilliant work.
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Very dissapointed to find Kevin john & Jane Holmes not on in morning anymore. Loved listening to them. Shame on management for sacking Kevin John, Ric,Peter O& Peter Van. Wondered what had happened to the presenters last week when I tuned in to hear all these different ones. On lookout for new radio station now.
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SMOOTH 91.5 ITS FANTASTIC
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I feel so sad today I have just lost some lovely friend, they kept me company all day. Having met them at Christmas in July’s over a few years they were such lovely people to know. I do hope things go well for their future. Miss you greatly.
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just another one gone too smooth 91.5 don’t treat Victorians like dills
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appalled at this act of savagery, Magic is totally bland and boring now, you have lost me as a listener
Good luck to Kevin, Peter, Rick and Vanny
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AM music radio is dead , buried and gone. In fairness, the powers that be made a concerted effort to rejig Magic’s programming but ,as evidenced, by the station’s continually low ratings, there just aren’t enough people left who are prepared to listen to music in muddy old AM mono.
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I am absolutely disgusted at news of the sackings at Magic.
I’m furious, actually, particularly at the departure of Kevin John in the morning.
John Blackman is shocking. He has a radio voice but has no idea what he is doing and has a wet personality
I’m turning Magic off for good.
Shame on those responsible for such a shocking decision to sack such professional presenters.
You people don’t deserve good staff.
And to your sacked presenters, I wish you all the best for the future. It has been pleasure listening to you all.
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We also wondered last week what was going on at Magic. We wish the sacked presenters all the best. Will be looking for a new station to wake up to every day and to have on in the car.
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Tis such a shame that Kevin, Ric, Peter and Vanny did not have time to say a final farewell to their many passionate listeners. What are the management thinking???? No more Magic for me.
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Thought for the last week they were on holidays until this morning, waiting patiently for the traffic after the 7.30 news and nothing. Now checking online and not very happy. Well smooth fm has me full time now at least in the morning we get a local presenter, traffic and news for Melbourne.
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What a disappointment losing Kevin and Jane – made the day – oh well off to another station now. You could have at least told your listeners why they no longer had Kevin and Jane on the air.
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Awfully sad day to find the Magic team destroyed.
You have lost me,my family ,and all my friends….what a disgrace!!!
A first class example of management not having a clue…removing 4 top presenters at once???
I am sure it will back fire and hope you get to eat cold humble pie…
Like the many listeners you have lost ,you have now also lost me ,my friends and my family as listeners,I will keep an eye to see where the guys pop up and follow them there .Till then it’s Smooth FM for me.
Management should have a look at their pay packets and question their own contribution ,they kept you in a job.
What a disgrace you lot are.
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Shame 1278….when u turn in radio now it is boring…monotone voices..no personalities…big mistake ..I’ll be looking for a new station if you don’t get your act together fast…bad mistake and shame on you..who wants interstate broadcasters to listen to…not us.
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You have lost me too ..3mp here I come. I really enjoyed magic’s announcers
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Adam Lang, what have you done to Magic 1278? Shame on you.
Kevin and Jane were a pleasure to listen to and become part of my family in the mornings. Peter Van was also very knowledgeable about the history of artists and I enjoyed listening about their lives.
Why is it that when someone new takes over a workplace, they want to make their own mark on it by sweeping the place clean, instead of looking at what is working well and leaving those areas alone. I don’t believe there was a weak area in presenters. You must have known how popular Kevin and Jane were by the number of people who call up the station.
The phones will be quiet from now on.
I hope you are happy. I will no longer listen to this station. I do not wish to listen to a Brisbane radio station. What do they know about Victoria. Gone to Smooth FM.
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My heart is broken, you have taken the sunshine out of my life. Thank you to John and Jane , to Peter and Ric (he was my get up and start again in the afternoons) Yes, I’m over 70 and guess I don’t count anymore. Well neither do you, as I’ll never turn you back on, unless you bring back our dear friends.
Good Luck to them, and I hope yu go bust.
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What a shock. I have lost something meaningful in my life. 1278 was the only station tuned in on my digital radio, my stereo radio and my car radio. I found all those announcers to be great company when I was battling the traffic, and the traffic reports were a great help when it came time to deliver or collect my grandchildren from school. From now on, I’ll be playing my CD’s with the great music I love, ‘cos there’ll be no more Non-Magic 1278 for me. Good wishes to the victims of this debacle – have great success in spite of those bullies.
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Shame, shame, shame. Sat down Sunday night, radio ablazin’, waiting to hear ‘The King’ – did not happen. Sent email off to 1278. No response. If this is typical of the way you are going to treat us dedicated long-time listeners, then you will be one listener short! As for Jane Holmes, she spreads her right-wing rhetoric over at 3AW, no doubt her job will be safe! Shame, shame, shame!!!!
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If all these negative comments don’t tell the “powers that be” that they have made a monumental stuff up…then there is not much hope of 1278 being with us much longer…I’m out ..after years of listening to a great radio station
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Best wishes to all those great sacked announcers. Now let’s sock it to this mindless bunch of galahs that call themselves management. Advise Magic’s advertisers that as long as they advertise on Magic then we won’t buy their products!
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Looks like I’m now switching over to Smooth FM. I loved listening to Kevin and Jane in the mornings. And the fact that nothing has been said about Kevin being retrenched is disgusting!
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The presenters made Magic,and now the magic has gone.Goodbye from me.
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Was a great station and I mean was. No longer exists as far as I am concerned. Wiped from my radios for good. Loss of Rick Ditchburn a travesty of justice. Darby T
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What a disappointment breakfast has become…my 5 year old has less ums in a sentence…lve made the switch…another one bites the dust. Goodbye magic
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I have been listening to Magic for many many years and I am very disappointed. You have lost me as a listener. Very unhappy!
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I just sent an email to Adam Lang, via the Magic 1278 website. I have now found the comments here & want to applaude everyone! Sadly, management won’t have a change of heart, despite the outcry. It happens all too often in take-overs, mergers etc. The bullies arrive & boot out the hardworking, well loved workers & try to remold what’s left. What happened to the saying, ” if it’s not broken, why try to fix it?” Leave what’s working, well alone! I doubt that there will even be an acknowledgement to these outcries, the outpouring of love & distress of losing our friends. We can all tune out, to some other radio station, but nothing will ever be the same again. Magic has lost its magic, their last act was to make the loyal listeners disappear!! I hope management is as devastated with the final outcome as we, the once loyal listeners are. The Magic is gone, long live the magic!! SHAME on you, SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!!
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Typical ill-conceived changes when takeovers/mergers occur. What do they hope to achieve by sacking talented presenters? The station is now boring & difficult to listen to. I have been listening to Magic 1278 for many years but no longer – Gone!. Smooth FM is an alternative, although it’s music can be repetitious at times. Loved Magic the way it was!!!!
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Listened to the station everyday on the way to & from work. Kevin & Jane were the best breakfast team I have heard. They were funny , up beat, and got you feeling good for the day. Really miss all that , plus nobody rings up now on air, was good hearing fans speaking.
Party time on Saturday nights ,is not the same with out Kevin John . Was good hearing him , plus he had a great selection of songs. Now nobody speaks and some of the tracks are different.
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I can’t find any radio station that plays similar music to Magic! SmoothFM?? No thanks, far too ‘smooth’, dull, boring, no ‘up n go’. Magic had the right mix, some smooth music, mixed with up-beat, get on your feet & dance style music, something that would get you singing at the top of your voice! The radio in my bedroom can only access AM frequency & I HATE talk back programs. Looks like I will have to invest in a new radio. Gold104.3 is ok, but not the same as Magic; they don’t play music from the 60’s & 70’s on a regular basis. But at least it’s a Melbourne station, has traffic updates & local weather reports. I LOVED that Magic gave current weather details for all local suburbs. It was always a plus when I heard the current temperature in my suburb or the one that I would be traveling to.
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Noticed the station didn’t play my husbands favourite hour the Elvis hour. He had been listening to it forever always looked forward to that particular hour each Sunday evening. How disappointed he is and what a shame about the announcers all the best to them all in the future. I agree to the above people who are disappointed, annoyed and frustrated.
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Arrived home from overseas to find my favourite homely presenters no longer on air.
Ridiculous – now I will not bother listening to Radio, but put on CD’s during theday.
Hope others switch and you will lose a lot of Sponsors too
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My favourite radio station has now been ruined by Fairfax Media. All the decent presenters are gone. Will now tune elsewhere.
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You havev lost a very vommitted listener to 1278. Probably to smooth radio or else turn radio off. Best of luck to these broadcasters. Let us know if you have moved on to another station cause thats where we will be.
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How sad. I liked listening to Peter O’Callagahan and Ric Ditchburn – He was fabulous and so easy to listen to. The Station sounds boring now and we will not be listening to Magic 1278 anymore.
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Why!!! There is no other station as good as the one you just tore apart! You can’t fix something that wasn’t broken in the first place!!
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Jeez what is with all of the spammy posters on here.
I hope you realise that Mumbrella isn’t going to get any decisions reversed…
Jeepers
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it was great to hear Andrew Mcclaren on air again after so many years on 1278, but what a tragedy that they done by sacking their current presenters. if only we had a decent radio station to turn to like 3AK when they played beautiful music,that was real radio.
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Boycott Fairfax newspapers (Sydney Morning Herald etc..) until Magic team are restored.
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Like many thousands of great people who have listened & followed these radio presenters, I am saddened with the way the re-trenchments were made by the company & with very little explanation to your very loyal followers. We are missing the great Rick, Kevin, Peter O & PeterV regards & best wishes to the 4 of you. l
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Turned on 1278 DAB+ and didn’t recognise any of the presenters and the station appears amateurish now, maybe it will improve but I don’t think I’ll hang around to find out.
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Hi it’s Kevin John – Thank you most sincerely for the amazing comments posted here over the last couple of weeks. I am humbled by your kind words, good wishes and loyalty. This can be the farewell I didn’t have the opportunity to deliver. Take care.
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What a joke have lost me 1278 was so good to listen to ,not any more
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Cant believe they got rid of such wonderful radio presenters and gained what? Have lost so many loyal listeners. I so miss Ric on my way home from work every day. I must say I am enjoying smooth FM;s breakfast show and I liked the way they welcomed all new listeners!
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Kevin and Jane – just want you to know how much your listeners want to thank you for your show in the morning and that we miss you – you were very much a part of our lives and an affirmation of the values so many of us hold dear The world is changing and you were part of us trying to hang on to the important things in life. Thank-you again.
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Really disappointed with 1278 and what it’s done. Will only now tune in to Andrew Mcclaren (who I used to listen to back in those days with Margaret ‘Peacock’ – then -). And also to Ward Everaad on Sunday mornings from now on. Other than that, yes, more cds, I expect. Can’t find a station that I loved like I DID 1278 (no more magic). Nice to hear from you, Kevin John. All the best wishes to you, Peter O. Peter V and Ric D. Miss you all very much…
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Kevin John Let us Know if and when You All team up again ive gone to Smooth FM now Magic is finished Alice
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Had no idea what happened until I read about it, all those great presenters gone, listeners will now turn off in droves, I really hope this comes back and bites them on the bum but I won’t know because as of today goodbye Magic 1278 and hello Gold 104.3 FM.
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Is thhis new Management crazy – taking off the 4 well-loved presenters and putting the othr 3 Melbourne based announcers now – John Blackman, Andrew McLaren and Dave Ferguson in their place.
Guys, ot just doesn’t make sense
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I thought I’d at least give the ‘new’ line up a go….
Waste of time. John Blackman, Mike Brady, Coxy, all has-beens and sounding it.
Goodbye Magic.
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Change is always inevitable and I could of understood a bit of a personnel and/ or a programming freshen up but not an entire clean out! And you axed the Elvis hour. Fail!
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Wow !!!!! As a 33yr old regular listener.. I’m very disappointed.. Great hosts and the Elvis hour are gone.. With the huge amount of commercials on magic 1278 I thought that it would never happen … Think 1377 will be my station for now on
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Good by 1278.
I have tried to stay with Magic But they sound so amateurish. Kevin and Jane in the morning ,the Elvis hour all gone now so we will all move on listen out for a new station even halve as good as it was would be twice as good as it is now. Or keep listening to cd And what a mongrel company putting all those people off
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The only station on my radio I listened to has now fallen silent
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Like all the other lsteners I am not happy with the new presenters.There have been numerous mistakes such as adds being played over songs,announcers talking over the news etc. The Sydney listeners may have been happy with those presenters and the mistakes but loyal magic listeners are not. I thought I would give the new guys a chance to prove themselves. It is a dam shame that you have done this. I will also be joining the large number of followers to find a new station which will be hard as magic plays the best range of music that the baby boomers love
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I predict that Magic’s ratings will halve in the next radio survey and stay that way. How could Fairfax allow Macquarie to slash and burn like this????
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I agree, Gary, but they’ll never admit to making a terrible mistake.
I’m on the internet now. Radio 1FM and chose your own genre of music.
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Will not be listening to Magic 1278
any more Miss the Elvis hour
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I have cancelled my subscription to The Sydney Morning Herald and urge others to boycott Fairfax Media newspapers over the merger sackings.
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