3AW boss Stephen Beers is out as Macquarie Media prepares for full Nine takeover
Melbourne-based 3AW operations manager Stephen Beers has been let go, leaving his role with Macquarie Media as the radio business prepares for Nine’s takeover.
The axing follows Nine’s plans to absorb some of the Macquarie Media management roles, which saw CEO Adam Lang exit earlier this month. Chairman Russell Tate, however, was quick to say there won’t be any ongoing ramifications for 3AW’s content.
“3AW is an iconic and successful Melbourne station focussed on local audiences and content and that will not change,” said Tate.
“The 3AW team will remain firmly focussed on serving its audience and advertisers as they have always done.”
Mumbrella understands Beers isn’t the only management figure to get cut – Gordon Hill, commercial director of 6PR, has also been made redundant.
Beers had led 3AW and Macquarie Sports Radio from Melbourne since 2015. Earlier this week it was announced Macquarie Sports Radio’s talk programming would be paused for a full review following poor ratings. Macquarie Sports Radio talent has expressed their feelings about the axing of the programming over Twitter.
Losing a job is tough, but it’s nothing when you’re fighting for your life.
My good mate @MarkAllenGolf got the bad news yesterday that his fight isn’t over just yet. Another tumour on his good lung this time.
Wishing you all the best bud, you’re a fighter… you’ve got this 👊🏼💕— David Schwarz (@TheOx05) October 30, 2019
Mark Riddell, Jimmy Bartel, Ian Chappell and Darren Lehmann were just some of the sporting stars attached to Macquarie Sports Radio. Former SEN host Kevin Bartlett had also recently gone across to the station, after leaving SEN in July.
Tate’s comments addressed rumours that 3AW is set to go the way of 4BC, Macquarie Media’s Brisbane AM station, which recently announced Ben Fordham’s drive show would replace that of local host Mark Braybrook.
The introduction of Fordham’s syndicated show means 4BC now has an all-Sydney lineup in the key weekday shifts. Alan Jones’ breakfast show is followed by Ray Hadley’s morning program, Steve Price’s afternoon slot, Ross Greenwood’s evenings and John Stanley at night.
Sad for my former colleagues at Macquarie Sports Radio. A small and hard working team pumping out hours and hours of content. Best of luck guys.
— Matt Thompson (@MattThompson) October 29, 2019
Former talent of Macquarie Media has been vocal about the changes, saying the Nine takeover will result in mass redundancies and the end of the stations as consumers know them.
Former 3AW host Derryn Hinch lashed out on Twitter, accusing “Sydney butchers” of “executive bloodbaths”.
Newsflash. Turmoil at 3AW. Sydney butchers have struck again. Executive bloodbath. Staff crisis meeting at 8.30 a.m. tomorrow. Watch for more 2GB syndication to cut costs.
— Derryn Hinch (@HumanHeadline) October 29, 2019
Nine’s takeover transaction of Macquarie Media should be complete by the end of 2019.
“Melbourne-based 3AW operations manager Stephen Beers has been given the boot”
Hannah, I would think Stephen perhaps deserves a little more respect than the framing of this story.
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Regardless of the spin from management expect to see significant cost cutting at 3AW. The most expensive presenters (Burns/Stevenson, Mitchell and Elliott) would likely remain as they generate the highest ratings.
Most likely the consolidation will occur in afternoons, evenings, overnight and everything on the weekend except AFL coverage.
Easily combine the news out of Sydney taking relevant feed as required.
Who remembers the failure of Melbourne-Sydney networking with the disaster of 3AK in the late 1980s and Melbourne Talk Radio a few years ago.
Yet another sad tale of the demise of commercial broadcasting.
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terrible
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IF 3AW DOES NETWORK AFTERNOONS, OVERNUIGHTS & WEKENDS LIKE WE HAVE ALREADY NETWORKED FRIM 7PM TIL MIDDNIGHT IMY SUCCEDD OR IT MY FAIKL ILY TIME WILL TELL
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3aw need more change listening after midnight and over the weekends is a big yawn, can you please get rid of Buy Swap and Sell and people trying to palm of their rubbish and we can also take a break from Chris of Broadmeadows how boring is he !
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What??
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Macquarie was doomed from the beginning. To Melbourne audiences it became progressively Sydney in flavour. The demise of Leonard and Shaw from weekday breakfast.. then Duclois from weekends was evidence. The constant changes on on-air personnel was mysterfying. They were never given a chance to settle. Why spend a bucket load on Roy and HG who have no traction in Melbourne was another inept call. The station’s closing has been the result of management ineptitude. Very sorry for the redundant staff…. very best to Mark Allen
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AT THE END OF THIS WEEK THE NINE TEKEOVER OF MACQUARIE MEDIA LIMIOTED WILL BE COMPLETE,
NINE II APPOINTING A MANAGEMENT TEAM TOIN TAKEOVER 2GB, 3AW, 4BC, 6OPR AND THE SEMI NO LONGER NACQUARIE SPORTS RADIO NJNE ALSIO OWNS SCA,,, DOES THIUS SONUD RIGHT NJNE INB TLKS WITH SCA MANAGEMENT TIO ATKEOVER 2GB, 3AW, 4BC, 6PR AND 954AM, 1278AM & 882AM COUKD YIU SEE 2DAYFM, FUXFM, HIT 105, HIT 107, HIT 92.8 & HIT 104.7 TLENT ADDED TO 2GB, 3AW, 4BCM FYVEAA, 6PR & 2CC AND ALL 2MMM, 3MMM & 4MMM TALENT ONH 954AM SYDNEY, 1278AM MELBOURNE & 882 BRYUSBANE WHIK3E 5MMM, 94,5 PERTH 3HD UPO PARTV OF THE BWIEJ WIURG 9454QJ SYDBETM 1278AM MELBOURJE & 882AM BRUSBANE WHILE ALL 2DAT REGUIONAL STATIONS TI BE PARTB OF NJNE BNEWS RADIO NETWORK WHILE ALL POTHER MMM STATION JOIN THE SPORTS ABD MUSIC NETWORK OF NNE RADIO NETWORK AND SOUTHERN CRISS TELEVISION NEYWORK TI BE CALLED NINE REGIONAL NETWORK.
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Aw get rid of Walter in the afternoons can not interview,Darren James a total bore
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Another one bites the dust. 3AW is a Melbourne show and every week is losing another radio favourite. Alan Pearsall now, Phil, the list goes on. Sydney, get lost! Sack your own people and leave ours alone!
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They already changed the timeslot. It’s a great show so if you don’t like it don’t listen!
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Anon, Gutless ! Who are you? Many love Dennis and Darren so don’t listen!
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Why can’t we have our MELBOURNE radio back please!!!
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