2GB and presenter Chris Smith to part ways
2GB’s afternoon host Chris Smith will finish up with the Macquarie Media-owned station on 31 July.
The broadcaster issued a statement this afternoon, immediately after Smith’s timeslot ended, saying they have “agreed to end their working relationship”.
Smith embarks on a pre-planned three-week holiday from tomorrow, 2GB said, and will then finish his broadcasting on 31 July.
“Neither 2GB nor Chris Smith will be making any further comment on the matter. We wish Chris well in his future endeavours,” a media release from Macquarie Media CEO Adam Lang said.
What a shame! After Alan Jones ….Chris Smith was the only presenter left worthy of tuning into. Hang your head in shame Adam Lang – you’re a joke.
You must be joking! I [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] after every breakfast show and just as I’m recovering from that the afternoon clown comes on. We need Hadley to follow him out the door and some sort of sanity will almost return to Sydney radio.
Goodbye to all.
We so agree. Is this man aiming to destroy 2gb?
What a disappointment to hear of Chris’s exit from 2GB.
It will be very hard to replace him in my opinion.
Thank heavens. Always thought he was arrogsnt, smug,:a fake.
I agree with Dee (2 July)! – even though I have only heard Chris Smith’s voice for the first time 2 mins ago!
I agree – even though I have only heard Chris Smith for the first time two minutes ago.
[Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] and intolerant of others opinions. Now if only [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]
A bad decision by 2GB. Channel Nine sacked Carl and are now suffering with the ratings. 2GB will suffer the same result.
We thoroughly agree – wait and see – the lunch time figures will plummet
Right on…. no more for me!
So sorry to see Chris Smith gone next to Alan Jones his was the program I listened to. Price is not the fit for this time slot
After what this management did to AJ now this watch your backs nobody is safe.
I’m really disappointed that this stupid management would let someone like Chris go. As much as I like Alan and Rays type of broadcasting, it was Chris that added even tempered observations peppered with easy and artful humour. A relief after hours of intense and often repetative dialogue.
Definitely will be looking for him in his next endeavours.
Adam, stupid management….
Sharon
Very disappointed really like Chris show, he has a young family night times would be hard. Will miss him, doubt if I will tune in at 12 again.
All the best good luck Chris and thanks for years of your show.
Australian Radio School Of Management
Topic: Managing an AM Talk Radio Station 101
Course Description: The process for sacking on-air talent that rate No.1 in a major metropolitan area.
Course content: Before firing on air staff ensure that all competition has been eliminated.
Case Study: 2GB destroys 2UE then sacks Chris Smith. Presenter can no longer work for the opposition as it is now only on the presets of 17 car radios in the greater Sydney region.
2SM is the only competitor with that format. It’s on the presets of 16 car radios.
I think 2GB has made a big mistake allowing Chris Smith to leave the airwaves. Chris is a journalist with invaluable experience and knowledge, a man who brings credibility to his reporting and interest to his time slot. Chis has always done very well in the ratings so his departure came as quite a shock.
Chris has handled his sacking with dignity and silence which gives 2GB the opportunity to reconsider their decision. I sincerely hope you do so to satisfy all the loyal listener Chis has all around Australia.
Price will go fine in Chris Smiths timeslot but where will Smith go ….nowhere is my guess. He is not a Jones,Hadley or Laws in his prime.
” Price will go fine in Chris Smith’s timeslot ” Famous last words….he didn’t last long , did he ? You are as stupid as the 2GB management ! I can’t believe that they actually let George Moore go, thereby breaking up the most popular program on radio, ‘The George and Paul show.’ Now with John Stanley ( a left winger) and pushed off to late afternoons ! They killed off 2UE so that they have no opposition…they seem to have a death wish, Very sad, actually, for those of us who have been long time listeners. They must have a total fool running the network !
What a really stupid move 2GB – Chris Smith is such a great presenter and you have lost a truly great presenter in Chris Smith. After listening to Ray Hadley ranting and raving non stop and having to turn him of as he is so full of him self. Chris Smith timeslot was always so much fun to listen to and he had great segments which were always interesting and every day he may be laugh. I won’t be listening to Steve Price he is just won’t fill the void that Chis Smith had and hopefully Chris will find another radio station that will appreciate him. Can’t wait to see how bad the rating are going to be for you – they will be awful and it will be the fault of management.
Well done 2GB, Macquarie Media and Adam Lang.
I admire your stance to remove said ‘talent’ from the airwaves.
I also admire the speed and coverage that the RWNJ’s can quickly muster on public fora … not many, but gees they are quick. I totally disagree with them but when I suppose you have nothing else to do you might as well post your right-wing support. Bravo for free speech!
I have been waiting a long time to see the perfect opening for Luke Grant . He is clever ,knowledgeable, humerous , interesting and a decent and presentable person .
Heres hoping !
I have been waiting a long time to see the perfect opening for Luke Grant . He is clever, knowledgeable, humerous, interesting and a decent and presentable person .
Heres hoping !
great idea
AM radio in Sydney is a dead zone, especially the Macquarie stations. Attempted to listen to Sports Radio for five minutes this morning and the biggest topic of conversation was how often listeners – if there were any other than me – washed their hair. Over on 2GB, Price had replaced Jones in breakfast, one right wing raver taking over from another. Gave that two minutes. Over on the ABC stations it’s just the opposite – all lefty lovies prattling on about nice things. Almost sent me back to sleep. The only relief comes on late night News Radio which takes a feed from the BBC World Service, real broadcasters who can discuss in depth two sides of a story. Now Sydney FM … on second thoughts, don’t get me started.
Very bad decision 2GB, I won’t be listening to the afternoon show anymore after many years of being tuned from early morning right through to 3pm through 2CC in Canberra. I don’t like Steve Smith, he is an arrogant, smart alec and I know a lot of people agree with me. So, many of 2GB’s listeners will be looking for another afternoon station to listen to. I think your afternoon ratings will drop dramatically.
Will not listen to 2gb afternoon anymore. When I did, it was pleasant listening to Chris Smith – he had a varity of topics, some serious, some entertaining, funny, etc. but always good to listen to. It seems that 2gb has really lost the plot. Why on earth would you let such a wonderful talent go, especially when ratings went 2gb & Chris’s way so often. I feel Steve Price will not “fit in” in the 12-3 slot as well as Chris has. Wish Chris all the best wherever & whatever he does in the future.
1) I love Steve Price but I don’t think he’s the right fit for afternoons
2) Here is 2GB’s future (after looking back at the past when Ray Hadley last hosted breakfast for an extended period)…..
On November 21 last year (2016) Jones took indefinite leave for a back surgery, which then extended after he underwent further neck and arm operations in January. The ratings for 2GB has subsequently dropped in Jones’ absence.
At the end of last year, 2GB saw its lowest share in almost a decade with Jones’ breakfast show sliding by 2.4 share points from 16.9% to 14.5%.The most recent survey saw 2GB’s breakfast share drop 1.6 points to 12.9% from its previous 14.5% share.
That’s a 4% drop in two surveys courtesy of Ray.
Rumour has it they want to sqeeze in that fake, red rag wearing wannabe pirate Pete somewhere. If that happens it adios 2GB from me.
Rumor
Two ladies will replace Smithie
Worked along with Chris for many years at GB – really good operator and a nice guy. Not sure youve made the right move mgmt.
Yepper.. right on.. no more 2GB for me!
‘Its something unpredictable but in the end it’s right….’
Looks like his theme song predicted what’s happened.
Onward and upward 2GB. Cant wait to hear Pricey earlier!!
Loved listening CHRIS. If he had to be moved, why not take the 9am spot and move Hadley out. Chris’ show is always entertaining, topical and informative. Let us know where you end up CHRIS and I’ll tune in.
Love to know the reason 2GB wanted the swap with Price. Steve Smith had double the followings Price had.
Maybe there will be some revelation.Gill
I knew this was going to end badly from the moment I heard the first rumours. Chris, you were so dignified and I’m sure it will stand you in good stead. I won’t be listening to Afternoons any more. In fact, now will barely be listening at all. I’ll happily find a new station, already switched off from Mark Braybrook as boring. Sick of Hadley’s same old, same old. Chris Smith and AJ were the only interesting ones left. Don’t like Steve Price, too much sport, give all the sport a big miss, really object to the half hour indoctrination on a Saturday’s instead of the RE Show, cut to nothing. So what’s left? Cannot believe that 2gb would be so dumb as to even entertain losing such a good, interesting and loyal staff member. You should have been giving him a big pay rise for his great ratings, not the back door. Good luck Chris, to you and your family. Enjoy your break doubly, and I hope you get a much better offer out of it all and go NA, NA NA NA NA.
Couldn’t agree more. Hadley is so full of himself I switched him off and now record AJ from 5.30am and listen instead of putting up with Hadley. Smith was great to listen to afterwards. Will switch off 2GB now except for AJ
Right on Ed, Gill, Cheryl and Tony…
Couldn’t agree more.. I too have had enough.. love Jones but those who are now ‘to follow’ leave much to be desired… shame really.. ‘they’ had a good thing going here but chose to ruin their whole set-up here!
Chris Smith in my humble opinion was fake Really like Luke Grant and his views, humour, knowledge and guests including Shane A. Bassett on overnights and whenever he fills in for others he’s a winner
AM Radio spruikers way to precious. They will just have to suck it up just like the rest of us who get the rocket from time to time. Leverage is only in the mind. 2GB best presenters Mike McLaren and Luke Grant both non scratchy.
Patrick
Don’t listen to the ‘tedious’ Jones any more and sick of ‘same old, same old’ Hadley reading the newspapers to us every morning … as well as giving himself a wrap every 5 minutes. Smithy was the bright spot every day and will be missed. Will not be listening to Steve Price … arrogant with ‘short mans’ syndrome.
Could not have said it better,Paul,,
Chris and Alan the only ones I listen to so only alan now Fordham a waste of space a real sycophant
Glad to see him go and take his arrogant attitude with him, always switched station when he came on.
Who is Adam Lang.
Maybe he should be sacked for stupidity
Chris Smith is a Journalist, which is what 2GB needs., Ray Handley is a shock Jock with countless ads on his show. 2UE is part of the Family & has become a Sports Station, mainly for yobo’s.
Ray Hadley is a shock Jock & boy can he be a bully. He is a former Greyhound Race Caller & Greyhound owner. He has now moved into Race Horses due to a better Salary Package. Why does Ray have so much Sport on his show? I turn the dial to ABC (3 stations).
Granted ABC has some absolute narrow minded idiots on air. Whereas some shows are brilliant & informative. 2GB & 2UE are now catering more & more for people working in blue collar areas of Sydney. The bloke who makes the decisions is he a Blacktown, Penrith, Campbelltown born & raised person. Ray has Country & Western Music, awful – I live I Sydney not out in the Bush with the Bogans. How to destroy Radio Stations, put the wrong bloke in the job the one who hires & fires.
I listen to you radio station now and then and most everyday for a different slant on politics and everything. Most of the time I don’t agree with a lot of things you say, you are very right leaning. I accept that. I also think everytime people don’t agree with your politics you attack the left. Its a stupid idea. There are many issues we all have to tackle, just living we are all in this together. There are many issues. For instance I had to have a procedure at Mt.Druitt hospital (i had to have an operation ) but left after found that the air conditioning was so cold I was freezing I could not stay there. My op is not urgent but the climate was Antarctic in that place. I had two blankets and my very warm jacket (one you use when you walk in the BlueMountains) and I was still cold. The staf have complained for 26 years but nothing has been done about it. This is winter time and this hospital was cold. A few other people complained about it. It might be worth talking about. Sorry to see Chris Smith go. Did he not agree with some of your powers above? Would be interesting to know.
This is dreadful news as Chris Smith and Alan Jones are the only two worth listening too on 4BC
BYE BYE 2gb and 4bc. What a stupid decision by a stupid employer.
Arent we lucky we can sit and publicly express our opinions perhaps outlawed elsewhere in the world……lets not forget, that as we also consume the media to its fullest, perhaps the latest doings of our tennis players would be more entertaining than quality broadcasters such as Chris Smith…..do those who call Chris arrogant but listen with intent to the tennis comments of that great tennis player John McEnroe…….i am sure they do if they were honest enough to say so..
Lets wish someone good luck and say thank you……
good luck Chris Smith….you will be missed
Good luck hope everthing goes well for you in the future!
Only Alan Jones and Ben Fordham are worth listening to. Chris Smith was so good and way better than Steve Price. Definitely won’t be tuning in at midday anymore
What a shame, Smithy gone…..WHAT…..will be missed…..assuming time slots….?????????????…..wishing you greener pasturers…..
I will be turning off after midday,
Pour Ben Boredom’s ratings will probably suffer now that Chris is gone.
Sad to say CS, the most balanced of them all has gone and we had a good laugh as well. Pity they parted before they had a chance to put him into all John Stanley’s (yawn) spots, yawn, puke, splutter ……
Maybe CS was very silly not to take the night slot though not a bad gig
Probably too effectively anti-green for Fairfax/Nine. Wish him luck, he will pop up somewhere.
It is disappointing that Chris Smith is leaving 2GB after such a distinguished career in the Noon to 3pm slot. While we may never find out the real reason for his departure I will personally miss his program like many others.
Good luck CHRIS and I am sure we will hear your dulcet tones on the airwaves in the future.
Chris Smith is a goose, he’d done everything been everywhere nobody could ever out do him he had done the lot. However I don’t think pricey is the answer. GB keep the lovelies on, Erin and Nat, their great, I can’t stand Erin on TV, but on radio she’s great. Chris smithgoose gone, not such a bad thing, price in that time slot, think that’s a boo boo.
My radio station was always tuned to 2gb in my car. I always found Chris Smith great to listen to. It was an informative and entertaining program. After a stressful day at work it was chill out time while driving long distance home. It was so much better listening to than Ray Hadleys bully ranting program which was played at my work place.
As i have now tuned into a different radio station on my travel home i am now missing Ben Fordham’s program which i also enjoy. I definitely turn Steve Price’s program off because he also is very arrogant and has a bully attitude. Definitely wont be tuning in to 2gb any more at all
What a ridiculous decision 2gb
Right on John… I won’t be listening to Steve Price… he has no personality when it comes to day time radio. I’d like to see Chris Smith find a little niche somewhere on radio and I’ll be right along there with him.
Chris Smith is not the worst presenter on 2GB although I am not a fan. I don’t think it is the right time slot for Steve Price. I really enjoyed the recent weeks with Erin Molan and Natalie Peters. What a breath of fresh air. 2GB should get rid of the arrogant and intolerant bully Ray Hadley, I tune to another station when he comes on.
Michael McLaren should have been given this slot. Chris was just ok, i am listening to Price now – i don’t know. He is too simple, too one sided. Not sure about the rest of the audience, but i cannot and will not tolerate stipidity and mediocrity. 2gb will lose some of us. That’s for damn sure. And yeah, who is this hack adam lang? I listen to AJ only, after his departure, well, you know that is it.
Management has shot themselves in the foot by letting Chris Smith go. He was an excellent presenter. Alan Jones too is excellent. Ray Hadley is a [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]. Paul Corp is right. Hadley reads the newspaper to us with country and western music thrown in. Not great listening. Steve Price is yet another [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]. So now it’s just Alan Jones and radio ? turned off for the day. Good luck Chris Smith. You are a gentleman who has handled yourself with dignity throughout this stressful time for you and your family.
poor poor choice 4bc will never be in this house again,not that it will worry you miserable lot. best of luck Chris Smith you deserve it and may they live to regret there decision
Right on Dawn.. I’ve finished with them as well.
I enjoyed the afternoons on 2GB with Chris Smith. He was not only informative but also entertaining! Difficult to be both, well.
I was shocked & very disappointed by the way this panned out. It was immature & rude to just issue such a blunt, ‘cool’ & slightly petulant statement instead of sharing Chris’s achievements, popularity & to thank him for his years of contributions afterall.
All shame goes to the management at 2GB.
It does not matter what choices were made or what transpired privately, 2GB still had a responsibility to be much more courteous & grateful & give Chris the dignity & appreciation he publicly still deserved.
Chris, You will be better off where you are celebrated & appreciated & you will be an asset in the right environment. All the very best & thankyou for your enjoyable, down-to-earth shows. You will be missed!
I kept wondering where Chris Smith was, I thought he had just gone on his cruise trip but now I discover he is gone for good. I am so sorry 2GB because I always looked so forward to Chris Smith’s show, he is a great presenter and will be sadly missed, I think it was a bad decision on behalf of 2GB – he did you proud as he presented a great show daily. Wish you all the best Chris I am sure good things will come your way & will swap 2GB for another radio station you may join.
Gee, what a waste. Price is okay but I think he handled nights well. Any chance you getting rid of of the vote from 9am a till noon?
Will not listen to afternoon slot makes me very sad Not to hear Chris Smiths voice the other guy makes me tied bad choice for 2GB
Couldn’t agree more Louise… I’m finished with ‘those’ at 2GB.. come 9am and I’ll be elsewhere!
Well, I hope 2GB read these comments! Do they? Do they care who the listeners want to listen to? Weird decision 2GB! But I think the listeners deserve n explanation! Why did you replace Chris Smith??? He was a great interviewer and the subjects he chose to discuss were excellent and he presented them very well. Pleasant to listen to, informative and very well liked by his listeners. Came across as a nice, well liked bloke.
Oh well, you decide whether we deserve an explanation …. or perhaps you think we don’t matter? If we don’t matter now, then you wont matter in the ratings! …. And what happened to “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”? …. I have listened to the program since Chris left because I wanted to make an informed decision and …. Sorry to say …. I am not impressed! …. 2GB listeners are loyal people and they know what they like. If that doesn’t matter to you, then good luck! ….
I LOVE Chris Smith and A.J. the rest are not worth listening.
Chris Smith was the only one with fresh content Alan is good about the hard subjects Hadley is only good for as a crime sport and wheather reporter and of course baging the labour party. Ben Fordem copies Hadley Steve Price is a boring little Leprechaun with no idea how to be interesting. The management of 2GB have lost me for good and if Chris joins another station i will listen to that maybe he could work with John Laws that would be a real ratings winner.
Ben Fordem needs to stop yelling down the microphone when broadcasting. Most off putting